Focal Length and Field of View
How wide the camera sees
Also known as: FOV · Field of view · Focal length · Camera lens 3D · Wide angle distortion · Perspective camera
Definition
Focal length and field of view describe how wide a camera sees. A short focal length, such as 20 mm, gives a wide field of view with strong perspective distortion, a long one such as 85 mm gives a narrow field of view and a flatter look. Games usually specify the field of view as an angle, often between 60 and 100 degrees, and renders use focal length in millimeters, with 50 mm a neutral choice close to the eye.
In production
For portfolio renders of props and characters, use 50 to 85 mm to avoid distortion, and a wider lens for environments. A very wide field of view in a game makes the edges stretch and objects look far away. Set the field of view before you judge scale and composition, since it changes how large things look. Check silhouettes with the game's real field of view and camera angle.
Tools that use Focal Length and Field of View
See also
Depth of Field
Cinematic camera focus blur
Silhouette
The readable outline of a shape
Frustum Culling
Skip what the camera can’t see
Turntable Render
Rotating presentation of an asset
Depth Buffer
Per-pixel distance used to sort what is visible
Three-Point Lighting
Key, fill and rim light setup
Perspective Drawing
One-, two- and three-point perspective
Composition Basics
Arranging shapes to guide the eye
Perspective Looks Wrong
Buildings and rooms look warped or off