standardtoshorttele

Standardtoshorttele is a term used in photography to describe a focal-length range that sits between a standard (normal) lens and a short telephoto lens. It is not part of formal nomenclature but appears in discussions and gear guides to categorize lenses that offer a natural perspective with mild compression suitable for everyday shooting and portraits.

On a full-frame camera, standard lenses are typically around 50mm, while short telephotos begin around 85mm to 105mm. The standard-to-short-tele range commonly cited is roughly 50–85mm. On APS-C and other smaller sensors, the equivalent field of view corresponds to shorter actual focal lengths (for example, about 33–55mm on many APS-C bodies, depending on the crop factor).

Applications for this range include environmental portraits, street photography, and general-purpose reportage. The lenses tend to produce flattering facial proportions with minimal distortion compared with wider lenses, while still offering enough working distance and subject isolation through moderate depth of field, especially at wider apertures.

Typical characteristics include compact to moderate-sized primes or zooms, bright maximum apertures in the f/1.8–f/2.8 range for popular fast lenses, and versatile image quality across the frame. Some photographers use near-50mm to 85mm focal lengths to balance perspective, working distance, and background context.

The term standardtoshorttele is descriptive rather than formal, and usage varies across guides and communities. It serves as a shorthand for photographers selecting a single lens for general, portrait, or street work. See also: standard lens, telephoto lens, focal length, prime lens, zoom lens.