DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Lens magnification help
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 03/28/2005 11:47:03 AM · #1
Hi.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me which of my lenses will get me the biggest magnification based on its focal length and closest focus without resorting to testing each lens I own on the same test shot.

I've looked at the Canon website, but I couldn't find any magnification numbers.

I have the following lenses:

18-55 kit lens
50/1.4
28-135 IS
70-200/2.8 IS

Anyone know this? Or, if there is a chart with this info somewhere?

Thanks,
Ara
 03/28/2005 11:52:52 AM · #2
Check out the //www.bhphotovideo.com, find your lens and look at the specifications.
 03/28/2005 11:56:05 AM · #3
Well, if I am understanding your question right, the 200mm will zoom in the most. The larger the mm, the more zoom there is. However, the down side is, the more light is required to get a good shot. Zoom lenses with a low f-stop are best. You're isn't too bad.
 03/28/2005 11:59:50 AM · #4
18-55 kit lens - unspecified
50/1.4 - 1:6.666
28-135 IS - 1:5.26
70-200/2.8 IS - 1:5.8

Ok, thanks for the tip giega. But, now, barring some super results from the 18-55, does that mean the 28-135 will get me the biggest mag?

03/28/2005 12:02:25 PM · #5
Yep, 1:5.26 would be the biggest magnification.
 03/28/2005 12:02:43 PM · #6
Originally posted by crockettdl:
Well, if I am understanding your question right, the 200mm will zoom in the most. The larger the mm, the more zoom there is. However, the down side is, the more light is required to get a good shot. Zoom lenses with a low f-stop are best. You're isn't too bad.


The 200 does zoom in the most, but, you can't focus any closer than 4.6 feet. So a shorter lens that can focus closer might have a higher magnification. I don't have any macro lenses yet, and was wondering which of the lenses I have will get me the "closest." Right now, it looks like the 28-135 might be the best in this regard.
 03/28/2005 12:04:46 PM · #7
//www.vihon.com/Vihon_Calculators/Vihon_Lens_Calculator/body_vihon_lens_calculator.html

//www.fredparker.com/vislize.htm is an interesting article

//www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/1437 is another bit of info.

Now to see if i understand the question...the 200mm will give you the most magnification (if looking at a far off object).

If you want to fill the frame with an object on the desk, as in macro photography, then that is a different question, and the one i think you are asking.

I would say the 18-55... i have used it and it can indeed get close and magnify the item in question. Most folks i know that shoot model trains use a 50mm, non-macro and do a good job filling the frame. ( //www.oscalemag.com/pix/index.html )

The above links are the best i can find. there was a great online calcluator (julian's lens calcualtor) but the site has moved or is gone.
 03/28/2005 12:05:20 PM · #8
Oh, now I understand. Ok, what he said.
 03/28/2005 12:07:20 PM · #9
Before getting a macro lens, you may want to try close up filters, //www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=158

They're fairly inexpensive, and would allow you to get closer to the object with your current lens.
 03/28/2005 12:10:27 PM · #10
The kit lens can focus pretty close but for really small stuff like bugs i use a sigma 105mm macro.
 03/28/2005 12:10:32 PM · #11
One inexpensive way to increase the magnification of any of your existing lenses is with an extension tube.

There is no distortion with an extension tube as there would be with the use of close-up filters.

Message edited by author 2005-03-28 12:12:05.
 03/28/2005 12:11:46 PM · #12
Another option is extension tubes...kenko makes them that lets you use your regular lens (it passes the electricals through). A cheaper solution is what i have done...$25 tubes on eBay, a $15 M42 adapter and and a $20 Vivitar full manual M42 mount lens (a 135 f2.8!)

Put that together and you get:

The rail is .83" tall.


Is a sweet potato.
 03/28/2005 12:29:29 PM · #13
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
//www.vihon.com/Vihon_Calculators/Vihon_Lens_Calculator/body_vihon_lens_calculator.html

//www.fredparker.com/vislize.htm is an interesting article

//www.worldstart.com/tips/tips.php/1437 is another bit of info.

Now to see if i understand the question...the 200mm will give you the most magnification (if looking at a far off object).

If you want to fill the frame with an object on the desk, as in macro photography, then that is a different question, and the one i think you are asking.

I would say the 18-55... i have used it and it can indeed get close and magnify the item in question. Most folks i know that shoot model trains use a 50mm, non-macro and do a good job filling the frame. ( //www.oscalemag.com/pix/index.html )

The above links are the best i can find. there was a great online calcluator (julian's lens calcualtor) but the site has moved or is gone.


Thanks! I'll take a look at the links, but in the meantime, I found what I was looking for at the Canon site: //consumer.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/lens/EFLensChart.pdf

It lists the 18-55 magnification as 0.28 vs. 0.15, 0.19, and 0.16 for my other lenses.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/14/2025 11:00:43 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/14/2025 11:00:43 PM EDT.