Focal Length Guide

$10USD

Digital download · PDF guide · Nothing physical is shipped

From 16mm to 135mm. Compression, distortion, working distance, and what each focal length does to a portrait. Choose the right lens for the right story.

Overview

Focal length is one of the most powerful and most misunderstood creative decisions in portrait work. It doesn't just decide how much of the scene you capture; it changes the relationship between your subject and their background, the distortion of facial features, the intimacy of the image, and the emotional quality of the final result.

This guide walks through five key focal lengths, from the ultra-wide 16mm to the compressed 135mm, explaining what each one does to a portrait and when to reach for it on set. As a rule: reach for 85mm or 135mm when the subject is the story, 35mm or 50mm when the context is the story, and 16mm only when the distortion itself is the story.

What's Inside

16mm ultra wide: dramatic environmental portraits and exaggerated close-ups, where the distortion is the aesthetic
35mm wide: lifestyle, street and documentary portraits that keep the subject in their world
50mm standard: honest, natural portraiture, close to how the human eye sees
85mm short telephoto: the definitive flattering headshot and beauty lens, with zero distortion
135mm telephoto: strong compression and razor-thin depth of field for editorial and fashion
The four core ideas behind every choice: compression, distortion, working distance and depth of field

Format & Access

A digital one-page PDF reference, built clean and written tight. This is a guide, not a physical product
Instant download link emailed the moment you pay
Saved to your dashboard for re-download anytime
Designed to print and pin to the wall

Delivery

Your download link is emailed instantly and also saved to your MD MEDIA dashboard. Sign in with the email you used at checkout to grab it again whenever you need it.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 · 121 reviews

Aug 29, 2026
Solved my focal length dilemma
I was stuck choosing between 50mm and 85mm for portraits. This guide explained the compression and distortion differences perfectly. Now I reach for the right lens every time.
David Sharma
Aug 10, 2026
Photography game changer
The gallery examples showing the same subject at 16mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm made it click. Ordering the Complete Camera Guide next.
Amanda Park
Jul 28, 2026
Valuable reference
Good explanation of compression and working distance. Would've liked more on autofocus performance at different focal lengths.
Marcus Webb

Focal Length Guide$10 USDor Full Library $59 · 46% off

FAQ

Questions, answered

What am I actually buying?

A PDF guide on the subject on this page: a one-page on-set reference for the library guides, and a longer multi-page guide for the Complete Camera Guide. Nothing physical is sent.

Is the Full Library cheaper than buying guides one at a time?

Yes. The Full Library gets every library guide in one payment for less than buying them separately, and the discount is applied automatically at checkout when every library guide is in the cart. The Complete Camera Guide is a standalone product and isn't part of that bundle.

Can I print them?

Yes. They're laid out to print and pin up, and most people keep them on their phone for set as well.

How do I get the files after I pay?

Delivery is instant. As soon as the payment goes through you get a confirmation email, and the download is saved to your dashboard: sign in with the same email you used at checkout, open your purchases and download from there. You can come back and download it again any time.

Do you ship anything?

No. Everything here is a digital download: nothing physical is posted and no delivery address is needed.

Can I get a refund?

Because the files are delivered instantly and can't be returned once downloaded, there are no refunds for change of mind. If a file is faulty, won't open, or is materially different from what's described, email sales@mdmmarketing.com.au and it will be replaced or refunded.

Can I share the files with a friend or my team?

Your purchase is a personal, non-transferable licence for your own projects, including paid client work. The files, download links and account access can't be resold, shared or redistributed.

I paid but nothing arrived. What now?

First check the spam or promotions folder for the confirmation email, then sign in to the dashboard with the exact email you entered at checkout: the download is there even if the email is delayed. Still stuck? Email sales@mdmmarketing.com.au with the email you paid with and it will be sorted.