[Gaina]

Originally Posted by eeyore

The length of the lens refers to how far the lens element is from the film or sensor, thus an 18mm lens is 18mm from the sensor giving a wide angle , 55mm is further away giving a narrower angle of view and thus more magnification , 500mm is much further away giving greater mag still etc

(by the way if photo buff people reading this , I know this is oversimplified , and am aware of the complex science but am trying to put it in laymans terms)

Ok, that works for me! I can't take much more science on an empty stomach.

Thanks