maybe a stupid question regarding min. focus distance

[olv]

Just had a quick thought regarding the minimum focussing distance of lenses. is the quoted distance the distance from the front of the lens or the camera sensor or neither?

 

[mrk]

pretty sure it's from the camera body onwards as when I had the 18-55mm Canon I was able to get right up close and I always wondered why until I realise it was the fd from the camera end!

 

[robmiller]

It's from the focal plane. Your camera body will probably have a marking on the top of it somewhere showing you where the focal plane is, I know Nikons do (it's the circle with a line from it raised from the body, usually near the hotshoe).

 

[Gaffer]

Just had a quick thought regarding the minimum focussing distance of lenses. is the quoted distance the distance from the front of the lens or the camera sensor or neither?

I believe that Rob Miller is correct.

In macro photography however, you may also find reference to the "working distance". This is the measurement from the front of the lens to the subject. On my MPE-65, this can be as little as 44mm, which is much less than the length of the lens!

Andrew

 

[olv]

thanks for the confirmation.

 

[BloodyL]

Now that's a new one for me, thanks peeps!

 

[balls]

It's from the focal plane. Your camera body will probably have a marking on the top of it somewhere showing you where the focal plane is, I know Nikons do (it's the circle with a line from it raised from the body, usually near the hotshoe).

wowsers, always wondered what that was for, thanks!

 

[robmiller]

"Why is my camera advertising the London Underground?"