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Thread: Calculator for Macro

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2025
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    Calculation problem in "Photography Tools" page?

    Hello,

    I'm glad to discovered this website. (Sorry for my English, I am French…)
    While browsing the “photography tools” section, I wonder if there are any errors in the calculations. Or more precisely, I wonder if they are still valid for Hybrid camera:
    For example, on the “macro camera lenses” page, if I use the “Magnification Calculator” tool, it tells me that the focusing distance must be at least 4 times the focal length of the lens. However, if we take the Nikkor MC 105mm for example, this is not valid, because the focusing distance is 290mm (1x magnification).

    Another example:
    On the "Macro Extension Tubes & Close-Up Lenses" page, I don't get the same results as in reality with "Extension Tube Calculator":
    I have the Nikkor MC 105mm macro lens and 29mm extension tube. Using the calculator it tells me that I get a magnification of 1.28X. While in reality, I get a magnification of 1.64 (22mm filling the width of my 36mm sensor, mounted on a Nikon Z6).
    Is this difference explained by the difference in draw/Tirage (space between sensor and lens) a reflex (46.5 mm) and a hybrid (16mm)?

    Could you tell me if I'm making a mistake?

    Thank you!
    Last edited by tartar; 25th January 2025 at 01:38 PM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Sandnes, Norway
    Posts
    150
    Real Name
    Odd Skjæveland

    Re: Calculation problem in "Photography Tools" page?

    Quote Originally Posted by tartar View Post
    ...it tells me that the focusing distance must be at least 4 times the focal length of the lens. However, if we take the Nikkor MC 105mm for example, this is not valid, because the focusing distance is 290mm (1x magnification).
    I guess the nominal 105mm is valid when focused at infinity. Lenses tend to shorten the focal length when focusing closer. The 4x rule implies a reduction from f=105mm to f = 290/4 = 72.5mm at 1x. I believe the shortening, or "breathing" depends on lens design and I do not know if 105 to 72.5 is valid for your lens.

    A couple of links:
    https://photographylife.com/focus-breathing
    https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65840489
    --
    Odd S.

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