Telephoto lenses
For closeup views of distant subjects—birds in flight, aircraft, or the surface of the moon—your best choice is a telephoto lens.
These lenses also excel at capturing subjects that are difficult to approach closely, such as in sports scenes or wildlife habitats.
By taking advantage of the focal length, you can create beautiful blurring.
Focal length: 500 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Easy bokeh
Four key factors control the amount of bokeh: the aperture (f-number), focal length, shooting distance, and distance between subjects and the background. Among these, a longer focal length in particular facilitates bokeh, which makes telephoto lenses a good choice.
Focal length: 300 mm / F-number: 11 / Shutter speed: 1/640 sec
Large bokeh circles from sunlight sparkling on the ocean are created by the distance between the shell in the foreground and the ocean in the background when shooting with a telephoto lens.
Focal length: 500 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
When you record wild birds in the forest, you can shoot so that the greenery in the background seems to blend together.
Portrait lenses
An ideal lens for portrait photography is a medium-telephoto prime lens with a focal length around 85 mm, which creates appealing background bokeh in shots at a reasonable distance from subjects.
Impressive lens compression
Shooting with telephoto lenses has the effect of compressing the distance between subjects that are close and farther away in the background. This apparent compression is a unique advantage of telephoto lenses.
Focal length: 200 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec
The camera was moved to keep the flowers in the center at the same size to capture A and B below. B was taken with a telephoto lens, so the island in the background looks closer and larger than in A .
A: Focal length: 75 mm
B: Focal length: 200 mm
Shooting even more telescopically with conversion lenses
Although compatible lenses are limited, you can attach a conversion lens to shoot even more telescopically.
Using the SEL20TC teleconverter lens
- Slight camera movement in telephoto photography may greatly affect your shots by making camera shake more likely. Whenever possible, use equipment such as tripods and remote commanders for shutter release.
- If you have some leeway in the timing of shots, one approach is to use the 2-second self-timer. Take the appropriate measures for your shooting environment to prevent camera shake.
Scenes for trying out lenses
Sports
Even when you're shooting at a distance, from the stands or elsewhere, telephoto lenses can capture player movement and expressions from one moment to the next.
Focal length: 180 mm / F-number: 5.0 / Shutter speed: 1/4000 sec
Focal length: 300 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Wildlife
You may not be able to get close to some wildlife, but you can still take closeups. Your shots can also take advantage of lens compression.
Focal length: 208 mm / F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
Focal length: 300 mm / F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec
The moon
Lunar patterns and craters stand out in sharp relief.
Focal length: 750 mm / F-number: 16 / Shutter speed: 1/60 sec
Focal length: 840 mm / F-number: 11 / Shutter speed: 1/80 sec
Telephoto lenses to try
Although a variety of cameras and lenses are available, we're sometimes asked whether NEX-7 or ILCE-6000 lenses can be used with the ILCE-7C or ILCE-7M3.
Both APS-C and full frame cameras and lenses are offered, but as long as the same E-mount is used, compatibility is ensured. See the following page for notes on use.
Are APS-C and full frame cameras and lenses interchangeable? (α E-mount)
Zoom lenses
Focal length: 600 mm / F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/500 sec
SEL200600G
FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSSS
A super-telephoto zoom lens covering a focal length of 600 mm. In super-telephoto shooting situations, this lens is the perfect choice for difficult-to-approach, moving subjects such as birds and other wildlife, sports, trains, aircraft, and more.
Focal length: 124 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
SEL24240
FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS
A wide 24 mm –240 mm zoom range makes this powerful zoom lens effective for landscapes, architecture, portraits, and other subjects of all kinds. Never miss a shot with this single lens that allows you to compose everything from closeups of flowers or autumn leaves to sweeping landscapes.
Focal length: 350 mm / F-number: 6.3 / Shutter speed: 1/640 sec
SEL70350G
E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS
An APS-C super-telephoto zoom lens for the realm of 350 mm (35 mm-format equivalent: 525 mm) shooting, offering the combination of high resolution and lens compactness for which the G Lens series is known. Makes it easy to enjoy super-telephoto shooting in more situations, with optical image stabilization that is a good match for sports, nature/outdoor scenes, pets, wildlife, and many other subjects.
Focal length: 135 mm / F-number: 8.0 / Shutter speed: 1/160 sec
SEL18135
E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
A high-magnification APS-C-format-compatible zoom lens for landscape, portrait, nature, and other photography. Built-in optical image stabilization also offers new possibilities in handheld shooting. Recommended not only for routine shooting but also when you travel, thanks to its compact size.
Prime lenses
Focal length: 100 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/125 sec
SEL100F28GM
FE 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS
The Sony G Master Lens series is known for its superb resolution and beautiful bokeh, but this 100 mm medium-telephoto prime lens incorporates STF (Smooth Trans Focus) optics for exquisite bokeh that stands out from its peers. The breathtakingly soft and distinctive bokeh accentuates subjects in focus, bringing a natural sense of immersion to your images. Optics are designed to exacting standards, ensuring extremely high resolution that extends to the edges of images.
Focal length: 85 mm / F-number: 1.8 / Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
SEL85F18
FE 85mm F1.8
A large-aperture medium-telephoto prime lens for full frame cameras. Enjoy the fidelity and bokeh of a well-designed prime lens. Easily capture impressive portraits, taking advantage of the background bokeh that only an 85 mm large-aperture prime lens can provide.
