In article , Eric Stevens
wrote:

help but know - that "long lens" is relative term and not a physical
attribute description of the lens.

it's not relative.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-focus_lens
In photography, a long-focus lens is a camera lens which has a focal
length that is longer than the diagonal measure of the film or sensor
that receives its image.

you are once again moving the goalposts and arguing against what was
never said.

Nope. The discussion is about the term "long lens", not "long-focus
lens".

nope. they are equivalent terms.

If you try Googling 'long lens' you find:

the above definition as the first hit.

"a lens with a long focal length, especially as a camera attachment
for taking photographs from a great distance."

It also leads you to:

https://www.apogeephoto.com/lenses-t...d-short-of-it/
"When photographers use the words ³long² and ³short² to describe a
lens, they¹re talking about the magnification the lens provides. A
longer lens provides more subject magnification*so you can stand
farther from your subject and not have the subject appear too small
in the picture."

magnification is a function of focal length.

in other words, they're equivalent terms.

long lenses are also called telephoto lenses, although that actually
has a specific meaning.

You have tried to divert it to this, but is isn't working.

if anyone is trying to divert it, it would be you.

He is trying (quite successfully) to stick with his original subject.

nope. he doesn't understand basic photographic terms and only wants to
argue, as do you, since your own reference proves him wrong yet you
claim he's correct.