11
votes
Why there are so few lenses with small minimum focus distance?
Because most interchangeable lens cameras typically use larger-format sensors than 1/2.3"-format.
The close-focusing capability of most small-sensored compacts comes from the fact that small sensors ...
- 52.1k
9
votes
Why there are so few lenses with small minimum focus distance?
The focal length of a lens is a calculation made when the lens is imaging an object at infinity. This is a distance as far “as the eye can see” symbol ∞. As we focus on objects nearer than infinity, ...
- 39.2k
9
votes
Accepted
Why there are so few lenses with small minimum focus distance?
I've found that for interchangeable lens camera lenses (at least for Olympus micro for thirds lenses) the minimal focus distance in the specs is measured from the sensor, while for compact cameras ...
- 260
5
votes
Is a diopter recommended for a 56mm lens?
Because of the very simple optical design of the diopter (or, technically more correct: close-up lens), the image quality will suffer a lot, e.g. from heavy chromatic aberration. The results will be ...
- 1,294
4
votes
New camera won't focus while zoomed in, old one focuses perfectly. Why?
I would suggest trying your SX740 again, but use a far more conservative zoom setting. It should reduce your minimum focus distance to a workable level.
The long telephoto setting is for making ...
- 2,330
3
votes
Relationship between minimum focusing distance, maximum reproduction ratio, and focal length?
When dealing with the simplest of lenses such as a single element convex – convex or a pin-hole, subject distance and image distance are measured from their center. When dealing with multi-element ...
- 39.2k
3
votes
Accepted
What is this style of photography called?
The most general term I can find that has reliable returns from google image search is "high contrast monochrome photography"
Some of the key stylistic points appear to be a strong use of broad areas ...
- 2,330
3
votes
Accepted
How is a lens's listed minimum focus distance affected by zoom?
It ultimately depends on the design of the specific lens model (which you have not provided). Most, but far from all, telephoto zoom lenses have roughly the same MFD over their entire focal length ...
- 175k
2
votes
Why there are so few lenses with small minimum focus distance?
A further consideration is that most macro work is (partially) front lit. This gets harder to do the closer you get to the front element. Even ring lights have a minimum useful distance imposed by ...
- 3,812
2
votes
What is this style of photography called?
My dad would take photos of equipment (Military electronics, mechanics, tech-guts for the lack of a better term) They didn't always have a black background, but then the background was usually part of ...
- 93
2
votes
What is this style of photography called?
As Tetsujin commented, I'm pretty sure it would be called "Noir." There's also a filter on the camera app on iPhones with that name. I attached a screenshot of that below.
- 121
2
votes
Options to increase magnification when the minimum working distance is fixed
1) Would extension tubes be of any benefit here, since the camera/lens cannot be moved closer to the object? Stated in a general way, if the distance between the lens and object remains fixed and an ...
- 32.7k
2
votes
New camera won't focus while zoomed in, old one focuses perfectly. Why?
I agree with TheLuckless - point and shoot cameras like yours have Macro settings and can actually get quite close to things. As you zoom in, the minimum focus distance increases. You'll have to ...
- 20.5k
1
vote
120mm with 35cm minimum focus distance for Macro?
Magnification (how does size of image compare with real life size) M = lens to image distance divided by lens to object distance. All values in millimeters M = 120 / 350 = 0.3. This tells us that the ...
- 39.2k
1
vote
Accepted
Relationship between minimum focusing distance, maximum reproduction ratio, and focal length?
The pinhole model isn't accurate for complex lenses, but can still be used for some aspects.
The key factor is that you don't know where exactly the "optical center" of the lens is located, ...
- 1,294
1
vote
How to calculate extension tube length when the focal length is unknown
There are several ways to do this calculation, I like this one:
A 16mm has a power of 1/16 x 1000 = 62.5d (diopter)
Focused to 1 meter the lens racks forward?
Convert 1000mm to diopter 1/1000 x 1000 =...
- 39.2k
1
vote
Options to increase magnification when the minimum working distance is fixed
If you are unable to obtain a suitable macro lens, you may be able to achieve what you desire by using both teleconverter and extension tube (or diopter filter).
Extension tube alone would allow you ...
- 27k
1
vote
What's the best choice of lens from an optics surplus shop to get a Stanhope Lens-like magnifying function?
Because your plan is to mount a supplemental close-up lens, in direct contact with the surface of your camera phone, you believe this added lens must have a very short back focus. This is incorrect ...
- 39.2k
1
vote
How do focal length, minimum focus distance, and magnification interact on a lens?
As you know, the zoom sports a variable focal lengths. It is the focal length that conveys the power of the lens. We can classify lenses as to their power. A “normal” lens has a focal length about ...
- 39.2k
1
vote
How do focal length, minimum focus distance, and magnification interact on a lens?
I suppose it might be theoretically possible for a zoom lens design to have a shorter MFD at a shorter focal length, but I've never came across such a lens.
Most zoom lenses have an MFD that is ...
- 175k
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