A telephoto lens is a type of camera lens designed to capture distant subjects with clarity. It has a long focal length, typically ranging from 70mm to 300mm or more, allowing photographers to zoom in on faraway objects without moving closer. This makes telephoto lenses ideal for wildlife photography, sports events, and portraiture, where getting close to the subject may not be possible. These lenses compress the perspective, making background elements appear closer to the subject. They also create a shallow depth of field, which helps to blur the background and emphasize the main subject. Popular brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony offer a variety of telephoto lenses to suit different photography needs.