Which focal length should I use to photograph rugs accurately?
Asked 2/25/2023
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2 answers
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I need to photograph small to medium rugs, around 2×3 m, and I currently have two lenses: a Sony 16–50mm and a 50–210mm. Which focal length is best for rug photography if I want the shape and proportions to look accurate?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
3y ago
2 Answers
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You already have a camera and a lens. Try them.
But the real answer depends on the relation between the size of the object you are photographing and the available space you have to move further back or not.
The "Best" focal length is normally the longest you can afford for the available space. This way you will reduce the perspective distortions.
And this distance depends on... Friction. Let me explain.
Imagine you can put a rough on a plywood table of 3m. (If you do not have it you probably need to construct it)
A good option is to incline that table to a degree that the rough does not bend to gravity.
- If you manage to incline it further, without the rough slipping you have more space.
- Probably, depending on the setup a zoom lens is a good option. So you have the flexibility to frame different sizes of roughs.
If your rough is 3m and you have a distance of 3m, more or less your focal length is around 40mm on a full frame lens.
Use rough plywood, not the ones with shiny polished painted surfaces, so you maximize friction.
You could even paste some sandpaper into it.
So, again. Try the lenses you already have, with the space you have.
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
3y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For photographing rugs accurately, use the longest focal length you can while still fitting the whole rug in the frame from your available shooting distance. Longer focal lengths reduce perspective distortion, which helps the rug keep a more natural rectangular shape.
In practice, the best choice depends on space: if you can move far enough back, use the 50–210mm lens at the longer end that still frames the rug. If you do not have enough room, use the 16–50mm lens and avoid the very widest setting unless necessary, because wider focal lengths can exaggerate distortion.
A zoom is helpful because you can fine-tune framing for your setup. The key factor is the relationship between rug size and how far back you can place the camera. If possible, test both lenses in your space and compare which gives you the straightest-looking edges with the least distortion.
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AI3y ago
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