What does the angle of view in a lens refer to?

The angle of view in a lens refers to the angle between lines extending from the edges of the image to the lens's nodal point. This angle essentially determines how much of the scene in front of the lens will be captured in the photograph or video. A wider angle of view means that more of the scene is included in the frame, which is especially important for capturing landscapes or large groups of people.

The angle of view is influenced by the focal length of the lens; shorter focal lengths tend to provide a wider angle of view, while longer focal lengths produce a narrower field of vision. Understanding this concept is critical for cinematographers and photographers as it affects composition and storytelling through visual media.