What is a Zoom Lens? Definition and Examples in Photo and Film

What is a zoom lens?

First, let’s define zoom lens

There are various types of zoom lenses: telephoto zoom lenses, super zoom lenses, wide angle zoom lenses, even macro zoom lenses. Despite the variety, all of these lenses fall under one basic definition. Let’s first define what a zoom lens is so we can understand how it differs from other types of lenses.

Before we get into the pros and cons of zoom lenses, take a minute to download our FREE Ebook — Camera Lenses Explained Vol. 1 — where we cover everything you need to know about the different types of camera lenses, their unique visual characteristics, and how to use them.

When was the lens created?

The history of the zoom lens

The origins of the optical zoom can actually be traced back to the 1800s. Back then, mechanisms could be found in telescopes that are similar to how zoom lenses work.

It was not until 1902 that Clile C. Allen invented and patented the first zoom. However, it took another twenty years for optical zoom lenses to start being used more widely in cinema. Most notable is the use of the lens in the 1927 film It starring Clara Bow.

When iconic directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles began using the lenses in their films for both practical and artistic effect, advancements in lens technology really began to take off.

What is a zoom lens used for today? Filmmakers today are inspired by the use of these lenses by notable filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and of course, Stanley Kubrick.

The zoom shot is a consistent tool used in Kubrick’s directing style. Check out this super cut of various shots from some of Kubrick’s best films that demonstrate the different ways Kubrick used these lenses.

A major part of what cinematographers do is find the appropriate lenses for any given scene or entire movie. So, why would a cinematographer or photographer opt for a zoom over a prime lens? Let’s dig into the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Prime or zoom lens

Prime vs zoom lens

While a zoom lens is able to vary its focal length, a prime lens, on the other hand, has a fixed focal length. The ability to have multiple focal length options in a single lens sounds ideal, right? But there are other considerations that make the decision a little more complicated. 

The prime vs zoom lens debate is based on a few characteristics. The difference between a prime vs zoom lens actually comes down to the optical mechanisms within the lens.

Prime lenses have fixed, simple construction whereas a zoom lens has a more complex construction composed of moving optical mechanisms.

This fact leads us to some of the more logistical disadvantages of the zoom lens. With a prime lens, it is impossible to make your subject larger without physically moving the camera closer to it. And, because of its more complex construction, high quality zoom lenses are typically more expensive than simpler prime lenses. Large format zoom lenses can cost a pretty penny.

Another downfall of the design of the lens is the aperture. Zooms typically have smaller apertures than prime lenses. If a shallow depth of field is important for your shot, it’s important to note that high quality zoom lenses typically have an aperture no wider than f/2.8.

This limits how shallow you can go with your depth of field. This also means that because of the limits of the aperture, zooms have less flexibility to shoot in low-light situations. 

Here's a breakdown of how aperture works in creating depth of field and the various storytelling advantages associated with it.

Lastly, because of the moving parts and optical mechanisms within a zoom lens, they are typically much heavier. Super zoom lenses are especially heavy. This is something to remember when using your camera on various camera rigs such as stabilizers or tripods.

All of this being said, there are still plenty of advantages and uses for a zoom lens. It’s ability to change focal length makes it extremely versatile while its actual zoom mechanism has proven to be a tool for both practical and artistic function.

What are zoom lenses good for?

Change composition with a zoom

Let’s start with the more obvious reasons to use a zoom lens. Given its ability to zoom in or zoom out, they are great when you want to change the shot composition or camera framing without moving the camera.

This can be great when you need to zoom in to draw attention to a specific detail. Kubrick, again, uses the zoom out to reveal the setting or context like in this iconic opening shot from A Clockwork Orange.

Beyond its practical uses, the zoom lens has been creatively utilized by filmmakers for artistic effect for decades. These filmmakers focused less on what a zoom lens can capture within the frame, but rather how the movement of the lens can make an audience feel.

What is a zoom lens used for?

Punch in with a crash zoom

For example, a distinctive aspect of Quentin Tarantino’s directing style is the crash zoom. Tarantino typically uses it for dramatic and comedic effect when shooting reaction shots. The quick crash zooms also add energy to a shot that would otherwise be rather stagnant.

Tarantino often uses telephoto zoom lenses to crash zoom into a subject from a distance. Here’s a super cut of different crash zooms in Tarantino’s best films.

Crash zooms are not the only creative way filmmakers use the zoom lens. What is a zoom lens used for when the camera sits on a dolly? None other than the dolly zoom of course.

Zoom lens examples

Dolly zooms in action

Zoom lenses are also combined with the use of a dolly shot to create the dolly zoom (aka zolly). A dolly zoom dollies either toward or away from a subject while simultaneously zooming out or in the opposite direction.

This creates a vertigo effect that can be unsettling and uneasy. Filmmakers can use either telephoto zoom lenses or wide angle zoom lenses to create a different zolly effect.

Check out our video in which we break down the effects of the dolly zoom. It undoubtedly has been used to create some of the most memorable shots in cinema.

Optical zoom lenses might not be the end all be all of lenses, but there are certainly a time and place for them. A zoom lens's ability to change the composition of a frame without moving the camera is a unique tool for all filmmakers.

What is a zoom lens not good at? They often compromise the lens aperture leading to a deeper depth of field. Zoom lenses are also a lot heavier like we discussed before. Be sure the lens serves your story before using it in every shot.

Analyzing how some of your favorite filmmakers use zoom lenses will help you learn how to incorporate a zoom lens into your next project.

UP NEXT

How to use a zoom shot in film

Now that you understand how a zoom lens functions, let's continue with how zoom shots work in your overall visual storytelling. We will break down more examples of zoom shots and how filmmakers have innovated creative ways to use them.

Up Next: How zoom shots work →