Lens Breathing

[MarkBarbieri]

You have probably noticed that changing the focus on your lenses also changes the magnification. I never gave much thought to the implications of that. This review of the latest Nikon 70-200 by Thom Hogan discusses the phenomena.

When focused on an object at its closest focus distance, the 200mm end of the new zoom is effectively only a 134mm lens! That compares with old version being effectively a 182mm lens. I don't have any data on how other lenses perform like this, but the notion has me intrigued.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I have to read it again after another cup of coffee

Remember the days when you could buy a 110 camera for $5? Things were much easier back then.....

 

[boBQuincy]

It is an interesting phenomenon. If we were mostly interested in close focus telephoto photography (flowers or bugs?) this lens would be a poor choice since it loses so much magnification at close focus. It is probably not much good with a close up lens either.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm having visions of steamy glass