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Thread: how to work out macro image to lens distances

  1. #1

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    how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Hi

    Is there a formula to work out the distance from lens to object for macro ?

    I have done some experiments with a 210mm lens but things don't seem to add up as I would expect

    with the bellows at 420mm for 1:1 lens to film plane the object is 410mm from the lens when in focus
    if I go to 630mm for 1:2 then the object is at 310mm
    at 840mm for 1:4 then the object is at 275mm
    at 1050mm for 1:5 the object is at 250mm
    and at 1260mm for 1:6 the object is at 240mm

    I,m not quite sure where on the lens I should measure from but I used the same place for all measurements which was the plane of the iris which seemed to work out very well with the 1:1 measurement

    thanks

    robin
    Last edited by brighamr; 20-Apr-2014 at 10:00.

  2. #2
    C. D. Keth's Avatar
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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Google the "thin lens equation."
    -Chris

  3. #3

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Quote Originally Posted by brighamr View Post
    Hi

    Is there a formula to work out the distance from lens to object for macro ?

    I have done some experiments with a 210mm lens but things don't seem to add up as I would expect

    with the bellows at 420mm for 1:1 lens to film plane the object is 210mm from the lens when in focus
    if I go to 630mm for 1:2 then the object is at 310mm
    at 840mm for 1:4 then the object is at 275mm
    at 1050mm for 1:5 the object is at 250mm
    and at 1260mm for 1:6 the object is at 240mm

    I,m not quite sure where on the lens I should measure from but I used the same place for all measurements which was the plane of the iris which seemed to work out very well with the 1:1 measurement

    thanks

    robin

    Hello.

    According to the theory, when an image is full scale (1X) or (1:1) there are always 4 times the focal length between the focal plane and the image plane.

    Only symmetric lenses without modification of design, the conjugate distances will be equal and symmetric in both sides of the optical center of the lens used.

    But, if you use a telephoto lens or a lens with symmetrical design variants. The conjugates distances inside and outside the camera will no longer be symmetrical and move (with tele will lower the internal conjugate distance, the bellows will be less long than expected).

    to work in the right way in macro (1X), you should place the focus plane and the image plane to 4 times the focal length used. And then focus. Then reality and its image will always have the same scale.


    I am no friend of calculators, i only use the formulas only if I need escales intermediate.


    In ancient lens models was very common to use symmetric designs PLANAR type (or variants) in expensive lenses. (Symmar, Xenotar)

    And asymmetrical designs Tessar type (or variants) in cheaper lenses, or with the specific purpose of the portrait were used (Xenar, and I think Heliar too).

    In more modern optical there are many variants (due to patent laws)

    and that produces changes in the theoretical hypothesis due to the design. But the basics almost everything is as it was.

  4. #4

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    When you see a lens with both parties on each side of the plug of the same size. You may suspect that this lens will be symmetrical and may work as I said.

    In ancient Symmar (and similar) that was so. But it was not so in the convertible Symmar (its inner part is smaller and cramped).

    It is the same in the new Apo Symmar, its front is higher.

    I should look for these features and then best known as work

  5. #5

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Magic formulas:

    rear node to film plane distance = f*(m +1) where f = focal length and m = magnification

    front node to subject distance = f*(m + 1)/m

    film plane to subject distance = rear node to film plane distance + internodal distance + front node to subject distance

    Most discussions neglect internodal distance, which is usually small. Few of us know exactly where our lenses' nodes are. For most of the lenses used in LF photography, the nodes are close to the diaphragm; this is not the case with telephoto lenses.

  6. #6

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Magic formulas:

    rear node to film plane distance = f*(m +1) where f = focal length and m = magnification

    front node to subject distance = f*(m + 1)/m

    film plane to subject distance = rear node to film plane distance + internodal distance + front node to subject distance

    Most discussions neglect internodal distance, which is usually small. Few of us know exactly where our lenses' nodes are. For most of the lenses used in LF photography, the nodes are close to the diaphragm; this is not the case with telephoto lenses.

    Thanks you for the clarification.

  7. #7

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances

    Thanks for the replays everybody

    I'm going thru my lenses and measuring them based on these formulas

    robin

  8. #8

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    Re: how to work out macro image to lens distances


    Thanks Dan

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Magic formulas:

    rear node to film plane distance = f*(m +1) where f = focal length and m = magnification

    front node to subject distance = f*(m + 1)/m

    film plane to subject distance = rear node to film plane distance + internodal distance + front node to subject distance

    Most discussions neglect internodal distance, which is usually small. Few of us know exactly where our lenses' nodes are. For most of the lenses used in LF photography, the nodes are close to the diaphragm; this is not the case with telephoto lenses.

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