As you may know, focal length is not a measurement of the actual length of a lens, but a calculation of an optical distance from the point where light rays converge to form a sharp image of an object on the digital sensor on the focal plane in the camera. The focal length of a lens is determined when the lens is focused at infinity.

A 50mm lens has a similar angle of view to the human eye, giving photos a natural feel. They are versatile and produce excellent image quality.

The “problem" with the longer lenses is that as that focal length increases, the minimum distance you need to be away from the focal plane increases for the subject to be in focus. That’s why you can hold a card at arm’s length and shoot it with a 50mm. Use a longer lens and that distance increases beyond arm’s length.

When using a long lens, setting the Snapizzi camera card on the ground or table and getting some distance or height will allow you to focus and then zoom in to frame the card properly. Or, if possible, have your subject or assistant hold the card and zoom in to shoot it prior to taking the photos of your subject.