Pincushion distortion is usually created by what type of lens?

Pincushion distortion is a type of lens distortion where image magnification increases towards the center of the image, resulting in the edges appearing to bow inward like a pincushion. This distortion is most commonly associated with telephoto lenses.

Telephoto lenses have a longer focal length, which often leads to this type of distortion due to their optical designs. As these lenses compress perspective and magnify the subject, they can introduce pincushion distortion, particularly noticeable when the subject has straight lines or geometric patterns.

While other lenses, such as wide-angle and macro lenses, have their own specific types of distortions, they typically do not create pincushion distortion to the same extent as telephoto lenses. Understanding these characteristics can help photographers choose the right lens for achieving the desired visual effects in their images.