another macro question!!
- Thread starter bopins
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- Derek
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A true macro lens renders an image at 1:1 or better. What this means is an object that is 5mm long will record as 5mm long on the sensor.
A lot of lenses labelled as macro are not true macro lens, so if a lens is labelled as 1:2, it is not a real macro lens, and a 5mm object will only record as 2.5mm long on the sensor.
A lot of lenses labelled as macro are not true macro lens, so if a lens is labelled as 1:2, it is not a real macro lens, and a 5mm object will only record as 2.5mm long on the sensor.
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- Mike
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All true macro lenses capable of 1:1 are prime lenses.
Almost all prime macro lenses have the same magnification (1:1) but the focal length determines the working distance (the distance between the front of the lens and the subject).
A 60mm lens has a WD of a couple of inches at 1:1 and a 180mm lens has a WD of closer to 2ft, but is much harder to hand hold than the shorter focal length.
Whether a lens has internal focus or extends when focusing also affects the WD.
The exception to the rule is the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens that does 5:1 magnification, but cannot focus to infinity and is therefore a specialist macro only lens.
Almost all prime macro lenses have the same magnification (1:1) but the focal length determines the working distance (the distance between the front of the lens and the subject).
A 60mm lens has a WD of a couple of inches at 1:1 and a 180mm lens has a WD of closer to 2ft, but is much harder to hand hold than the shorter focal length.
Whether a lens has internal focus or extends when focusing also affects the WD.
The exception to the rule is the Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens that does 5:1 magnification, but cannot focus to infinity and is therefore a specialist macro only lens.