What commercially available lens has the largest physical aperture while focusing to 0.5 m?
Asked 11/7/2017
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I need a lens that focuses to about 0.5 m and has the largest possible physical entrance pupil (aperture diameter in mm, not just the lowest f-number). For example, an 85mm f/1.4 has an aperture diameter of about 60 mm, but my copy does not focus close enough. I found the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 Macro, which should be about 64 mm. Are there any commercially available lenses that are larger while still focusing to 0.5 m or closer?
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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The 180mm F/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro has in fact the largest diameter among lenses which focus at 50cm or less. 64mm as you suggested.
This search was done internally on my database at Neocamera which includes all consumer lenses currently available, so over 1200 lenses. To find other options you may have to look at lenses for large format film cameras.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the answers provided, the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro appears to be the largest commercially available consumer lens meeting your 0.5 m close-focus requirement, with an effective aperture diameter of about 64 mm.
Other mentioned options are smaller:
- Nikon 58mm f/1.2 Noct: about 48 mm
- Nikon 200mm f/4 Micro: about 50 mm
If you already own an 85mm f/1.4, a close-up filter or extension tube may let it focus nearer, but that does not increase its physical aperture diameter; it only helps achieve the working distance you need.
If you need something larger than the Sigma, the only likely place to look would be specialized or large-format lenses rather than mainstream consumer still-photo lenses.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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