Guide to Choosing Lens Focal Length for Corporate Video Production

Jun 24

Written By G Ho

When it comes to corporate video production, selecting the right lens focal length is crucial for achieving your desired visual style and storytelling. Let’s dive into the essential considerations:

1. Understand Focal Length Basics

What Is Focal Length?: Focal length measures the distance from the optical center of your lens to the camera sensor or film. It’s expressed in millimeters (mm).
Angle of View: Focal length determines how much of the scene your lens can capture. Shorter focal lengths (wide-angle) show more of the scene, while longer focal lengths (telephoto) narrow the field of view.

2. Types of Focal Lengths

Wide-Angle Lenses:
- Focal Range: Typically 10mm to 35mm.
- Strengths:
  - Expansive field of view.
  - Ideal for capturing interiors, landscapes, and group shots.
  - Creates a sense of depth and proximity.
- Best Uses:
  - Office environments, interviews, establishing shots.
Normal (Standard) Lenses:
- Focal Range: Around 50mm (on a full-frame sensor).
- Strengths:
  - Closest to human vision.
  - Balanced perspective.
  - Versatile for various scenes.
- Best Uses:
  - Interviews, B-roll, general storytelling.
Telephoto Lenses:
- Focal Range: Above 85mm.
- Strengths:
  - Magnifies subjects.
  - Compresses distances.
  - Creates a shallow depth of field.
- Best Uses:
  - Portraits, close-ups, emphasizing details.

3. Consider Your Message and Style

Corporate Branding: Consider the brand’s image. Do you want a dynamic, wide-angle look or a more formal, standard perspective?
Emotional Impact: Wide-angle lenses can feel intimate, while telephoto lenses add drama and focus.

4. Practical Tips

Space Constraints: In tight office spaces, wide-angle lenses may distort proportions. Use normal or short telephoto lenses.
Background Blur (Bokeh): Longer focal lengths create better background blur. Use telephoto lenses for a professional look.
Stabilization: Longer lenses are more sensitive to camera shake. Consider using a tripod or image stabilization.

5. Crop Sensors vs. Full Frame

Crop Sensors: Multiply the focal length by the crop factor (usually around 1.5x to 1.6x). A 50mm lens on a crop sensor behaves like an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera.
Adapted Focal Lengths: Adjust your lens choice based on the camera sensor size.

6. Test and Experiment

Try Before You Commit: Rent or borrow lenses to test their impact on your shots.
Creative Choices: Different focal lengths evoke different emotions. Experiment to find your preferred style.

Lens selection is a creative decision. Consider the context, message, and aesthetics of your corporate video, and choose focal lengths that enhance your storytelling.

G Ho