Nikon 120 macro lens

[butterfly]

Hi,

I have a Nikon 120 Macro lens which I have used only for very close working. I read somewhere that 'peak performance is in the range 1:5 to 5:1 magnification. Please could someone explain to me what these ratios mean? I assume 5:1 is 5x life size, but what is 1:5?

I ask this because I am wondering what this lens would be like for portraits?

Thoughts or comments appreciated.

Regards

Steve

[Dan Fromm]

Magnification ratio = (size of image)/(size of object). 5:1 means image 5x the object's size. 1:5 means image 0.2x the object's size.

Why don't you try the lens out?