What are some examples of focal length in 3D graphics?
To demonstrate the effects of focal length in 3D graphics, here are some examples of the same scene rendered with distinct focal lengths using Blender, a free and open source 3D creation software. You can observe how the focal length alters the field of view, the perspective, the composition, and the atmosphere of the scene.
An 18mm focal length gives an exceptionally wide field of view, capturing nearly all of the scene. It also creates a lot of perspective distortion, making nearby objects appear very large and curved, and distant objects look very small and far away. This focal length produces a dynamic and dramatic effect but also a distorted and unrealistic one. An example code to set this focal length is: camera = bpy.data.objects['Camera'] camera.data.lens = 18 .
A 50mm focal length offers a moderate field of view, capturing an appropriate portion of the scene. It also generates a moderate amount of perspective distortion, making nearby objects look slightly larger and closer, and far away objects look slightly smaller and further away. This focal length produces a natural and realistic effect similar to human vision or a standard film camera. An example code to set this focal length is: camera = bpy.data.objects['Camera'] camera.data.lens = 50 .
Finally, a 200mm focal length provides a very narrow field of view, capturing only a small part of the scene. It also generates very little perspective distortion, making nearby and distant objects look almost identical in size and distance. This focal length creates a tranquil and serene effect but also a flat and dull one. An example code to set this focal length is: camera = bpy.data.objects['Camera'] camera.data.lens = 200 .