The focal length of the lens is in theory measured from where the light waves cross with pin hole camera to where the film is placed. Because that will depend on film size the amount of seen captured with a 35mm film with 400mm lens will be same as 23.5mm film with 270mm lens as the lens can be closer to the film plane as shown. But with the D-SLR the lens is not closer but the light is projected to non receptive area. This allows the same lens to be used with both film and CCD cameras. In some cases the diameter of the lens will only allow it to be used with smaller film plain so it is marked with effective length. Therefore a lens marked 18mm – 55mm on a 23.5mm CCD can give exactly the same results as a lens marked 27mm – 82mm on a 35mm film (Compare black and green lines). Conversely a 400mm lens from a 35mm film camera becomes a 600mm lens on a 23.5mm CCD camera (Red lines).
Just checking I have got this right before handing in my work?
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