What are the disadvantages to a wide angle lense?

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Dirty Redpool - 19 Jun 2005 02:31 GMT

Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure this is
better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what are
disadvantages to choosing wideangle?
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Impmon - 19 Jun 2005 03:34 GMT

>Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure this is
>better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what are
>disadvantages to choosing wideangle?

"Fish Eye" effect especially around the edge of the image.

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Rolf Egil Sølvik - 19 Jun 2005 12:18 GMT

>Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure this is
>better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what are
>disadvantages to choosing wideangle?

If you look at the comparison of (effective) focal lengths at
http://www.usa.canon.com/html/eflenses/lens101/focallength/index.html
you will notice how the wider 28mm captures more than 35mm, which is
usefull if shooting inside or landscapes.

On the negative side a wider angle will make things in the middle of
the picture appear bigger and is more likely to have image defects;
like curved /straight/ lines in the picture edges.

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AGOL - 19 Jun 2005 13:06 GMT

| >Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure this is
| >better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what are
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
| the picture appear bigger and is more likely to have image defects;
| like curved /straight/ lines in the picture edges.

This is called 'barrel distortion' and is quite common. Only the most
expensive lenses don't have this to any noticeable degree. The wider angle
the lens, the stronger distortion you are likely to get. However, most
photofinishing programmes - PSP, Photoshop etc have the ability to correct
this, so if it bothers you it can be sorted out and removed almost totally.

HTH

AGOL

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Dirty Redpool - 20 Jun 2005 05:29 GMT

>>> Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure
>>> this is better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> AGOL

Thanks for the info. I have PSP and have noticed the barrel distortion
filter but couldn't think of a time where I'd find it useful for a photo.
Now I understand :)

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AGOL - 20 Jun 2005 11:56 GMT

| >>> Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure
| >>> this is better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
| filter but couldn't think of a time where I'd find it useful for a photo.
| Now I understand :)

Glad to have helped.

AGOL

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Dirty Redpool - 20 Jun 2005 05:29 GMT

>> Lots of the cameras I'm looking at use a wide angle lense. I figure
>> this is better, similar to how I prefer widescreen movies. But what
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> the picture appear bigger and is more likely to have image defects;
> like curved /straight/ lines in the picture edges.

Thanks for that link, pretty neat to see the differences.

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