Long zoom lenses are a handy tool for bringing smiling faces closer. If you choose your shutter speed you can reliably freeze motion even when your subject is on a fast ride, and so as long as you keep calm you can get photos that will make precious moments last forever.


Long Zoom Lenses Bring Smiling Faces Closer

Choose shutter-priority auto mode to freeze motion when photographing moving objects with a long zoom lens.

Focal length:300mm, Exposure mode: Shutter-priority auto, Focus mode: AF-C

Focal length:300mm, Exposure mode: Shutter-priority auto, Focus mode: AF-C

Focal length:300mm, Exposure mode: Shutter-priority auto, Focus mode: AF-C

To freeze motion in an outdoor shot of a roller coaster like that shown in the sample image, choose a shutter speed of around 1/1000 s. If you also choose AF‑C (continuous-servo autofocus), the camera will continue to focus even as your subject moves side-to-side or toward or away from you. To ensure that you don’t miss the shot, choose a continuous release mode. In cases in which the ride will be passing in front of you, you’ll find it easier to time the shot if you press the shutter-release button to start the burst three seconds before you’d think you’d need to.


Worry-Free, Blur-Free Snapshots

You can zoom a long zoom lens out to take natural-looking snapshots without worrying about blur caused by camera shake.

Focal length:70mm, Exposure mode: Aperture-priority auto, Focus mode: AF-S

Focal length:70mm, Exposure mode: Aperture-priority auto, Focus mode: AF-S

Focus on the subject’s face (if possible, on the eye closest to the camera); when focusing, press the shutter-release button with care, even if your subject is moving. Choose AF‑S (single-servo autofocus) and aperture-priority auto with an aperture of around f/5.6 for photos with bokeh similar to that seen by the naked eye.


Mastery of only a few settings makes long zoom lenses, which can capture both distant smiles and natural expressions, an important partner in preserving family memories.