Can someone please explain, in simpleton terms, what the difference is between a zoom lens and a telephoto lens,

Ta

Lance

A telephoto lens is a fixed-length lens that makes objects seem closer. A zoom is adjustable between 2 points- say 35-70mm. A 'standard' lens (neither telephoto or wide-angle) is (or was when I last used an SLR) 50mm, so a 35-70 zoom goes from slight wide-angle to slight telephoto.

telephoto strictly speaking doesn't mean it isn't a zoom. It just means a lens of the longer variety in focal distance. You can have a telephoto zoom lens like you can have a wide angle zoom lens

Ah, makes sense now....cheers guys