Closest focus distance on my DSLR lens?
Posted by admin | Under Nikon D90 DX Wednesday Dec 2, 2009I’m really confused about this, I’m new to lenses, so please bear with me.
I’m interested in buying the Nikon AF 50mm f1.4D lens for my Nikon D90. However, it says that the lens "allows for focusing as close as 0.45m". That seems quite far away to me.
I’m currently using the kit lens that came with the camera, an 18-55mm f/3.5 – 5.6G lens. It’s supposed to focus to .28m, and I like that ability.
I read somewhere that the AF 50mm f1.4D I’m interested in actually seems more like a 75mm lens because of the Nikon DX format sensor on my camera. Does this mean the distance would seem closer than it actually is? Is this a good thing for me, who likes to get up close?
I am now totally confused, and not sure I want to buy the Nikon AF 50mm f1.4D after all. I wanted to get it mainly for it’s speed, and also because I thought it would be a good portrait lens. However, I really enjoy the ability to focus at a fairly close distance.
Should I go ahead and buy it anyways?
Thanks for taking the time to read all this, please tell me if I need to clarify more.
Oh, and it seems to me that I’m actually able to focus the 18-55mm lens CLOSER than .28cm, so that’s something else that’s confusing me, if anyone can clarify.
Andi, I use the 50mm f/1.4 from Nikon and find it very good for portraiture.
The fact that the APS-C format sensor that your camera is equipped with appears to give the focal length a 1.5x boost, only works in your favour for portraits, as the image produced will have a slightly compressed perspective, thus making the image more flattering with facial features very slightly flattened. The equivalent lens on a full frame sensor equipped camera would be 75mm and therefore as you quite correctly state, the image will show a slight magnification.
45cm is probably as close as you’ll want to go if you don’t want to make the subject feel like you are on top of them, invading their personal space.
Take it from me it’s a very good lens and I use mine 80-90% of the time!
I hope this is of some help to you.
With the 50mm prime lens, you will have the exact same viewing angle as with the the 18-55 set at 50. Of course a wide angle lens make things look smaller from the same distance than e.g. a tele lens (60mm and more). You just try setting your kit zoom lens to 50mm and measure the distance. If .45m doesn’t work for you, you don’t need it. The main advantage of the 50/1.4 however is it’s better sharpness and clarity (better contrast and colour) in comparison to zoom lenses. It also let’s through more light, so it’s easier to make sharp photos in low-light situations and indoors.
References :
I’m studying Visual and Motion Design and have been photographing for nine years.
If you really want close focus look at a 60mm f/2.8 AF-S.
References :
If you want to get close and are thinking of a 50mm made by Nikon (as everyone should),… why not compromise by stepping into a lens that can do both for you… portraits and macro 1:1 ratio images.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&source=hp&q=macro+nikkor+lens&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5922953960773024366&ei=jlO2SsZXipfwBsjlwZMP&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=5#ps-sellers
This lens will more than satisfy your requirements and is perhaps the best Macro lens ever developed.
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References :
Wildlife Photographer in Philadelphia,… are YOU wild?
That is not a long distance, and is nothing to worry about. No portrait photographer is going to shove a lens in the subjects face that close, it distorts the features.
There are lenses that focus closer, but 19" is still pretty close. It really isn’t the issue you are making it out to be.
Your kit lens is not focusing closer than stated, you are measuring wrong. The focus distance is from the subject to the sensor/film plane, not the front of the lens. You’ll find a mark on the top of the camera body, a circle with a horizontal line through it… that is the mark to measure from. You’ll find that the measurement is .28 meters, give or take maybe 5mm. The same applies to any lens you put on the camera… focus distance is always measured from that mark.
References :
Andi, I use the 50mm f/1.4 from Nikon and find it very good for portraiture.
The fact that the APS-C format sensor that your camera is equipped with appears to give the focal length a 1.5x boost, only works in your favour for portraits, as the image produced will have a slightly compressed perspective, thus making the image more flattering with facial features very slightly flattened. The equivalent lens on a full frame sensor equipped camera would be 75mm and therefore as you quite correctly state, the image will show a slight magnification.
45cm is probably as close as you’ll want to go if you don’t want to make the subject feel like you are on top of them, invading their personal space.
Take it from me it’s a very good lens and I use mine 80-90% of the time!
I hope this is of some help to you.
References :
Pro photographer 35+ years behind the lens.