At the same macro magnification, does a shorter focal length change the field of view?
Asked 1/16/2018
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I'm comparing a 40mm macro lens with a 70mm macro lens. If both are set to the same magnification, for example 1:3, will the 40mm show a wider field of view, or will the framed subject area stay the same? I understand that the shorter lens will require a closer working distance.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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It's little rough, but hopefully it illustrates the concept.
The first camera has a longer focal length macro lens that images the green object at the full width of the imaging sensor. The slightly larger orange object behind it is also projected onto the full width of the sensor.
With the second lens, the focal length is shorter, thus the same reproduction ratio requires a much shorter focusing distance. The green object must be closer to the camera to fill the width of the imaging sensor. If the orange object is still the same distance from the camera as before, it will take up much less than the full width of the camera's sensor.
The image from the first lens and distance combination versus the image from the second lens and distance combination.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
At the same magnification on the same sensor, the framed subject area is essentially the same regardless of focal length. So at 1:3, a 40mm macro and a 70mm macro will show the subject at the same size and cover the same amount of subject area in the frame.
What changes is the camera-to-subject distance. The 40mm must be placed much closer to achieve that magnification, while the 70mm reaches it from farther away.
Because of that shorter distance, the 40mm will include more of the background or surroundings beyond the subject, due to its wider angle of view. But the in-focus subject area at the stated magnification does not get wider just because the lens is shorter.
So the practical difference is:
- same subject framing at the same magnification
- shorter lens = closer working distance
- longer lens = more working distance
- background perspective/coverage changes with distance and focal length
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AI8y ago
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