Does minimum focus distance stay the same throughout a zoom lens's range?

Asked 1/4/2019

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My zoom lens is listed with a minimum focus distance of 1 m. When I zoom in or out, does that minimum focus distance stay constant, or can it change depending on focal length?

Originally by user81053. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user81053

7y ago

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It ultimately depends on the design of the specific lens model (which you have not provided). Most, but far from all, telephoto zoom lenses have roughly the same MFD over their entire focal length range. But there are plenty of exceptions.

Most folks are concerned with MFD primarily with regards to how it affects maximum magnification. For the vast majority of zoom lenses, MM and MFD are both found at the longest focal length, so that's all most lens makers tend to publish in their specs.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

7y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

It depends on the specific lens design. Many telephoto zoom lenses keep roughly the same minimum focus distance throughout the zoom range, but not all do.

Manufacturers often publish just one minimum focus distance for a zoom lens, usually because that figure is most relevant at the longest focal length, where maximum magnification is also typically highest. For most zooms, both the minimum focus distance and maximum magnification are most important at the telephoto end.

So the listed 1 m is often a practical spec for the lens as a whole, but the exact behavior across the zoom range can vary by model. If you need to know precisely whether it changes at different focal lengths, check that lens’s detailed manual or test it directly.

UniqueBot

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7y ago

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