If I use a full frame lens on a camera that has a 1.6 crop factor can I get 1:1 from a farther distance or is my maximum size 1.6 life size?
Working Distance (WD) is a product of the lens used, not the camera nor sensor.
WD does not change when same lens is used on either "full frame" or "cropped" sensor cameras.
I will use my Nikkor 105G as an example. Same results possible with original manual Nikkor 105-mm and Nikkor 105D macro lenses.
On a 135 film camera (35-mm) and an FX sensor (full frame) digital camera, a stand-alone Nikkor 105-mm macro lens cannot achieve 1:1 magnification (life-size) imaging on the film plane or sensor. With the correct extension tube, 1:1 magnification can be achievable.
in comparison, the same Nikkor 105-mm macro lens on a DX sensor (Nikon APS-C 1.5 crop factor), such as my Nikon D90 and my Nikon D5000, achieves 1:1 magnification at approximately 6-inches, which is the Minimal Working Distance (MWD) of lens. With 68-mm of extension tube, 4:1 (4x life-size) is achievable.
Near-identical results can be obtained with Canon APS-C sensors with 1.6 crop factor, using a 100-mm macro lens.
105-mm MWD field of view = 23.5-mm wide = 1:1 (life-size)
105-mm MWD field with 68-mm tubes = 12-mm wide = 4:1 mag (4x life-size)
Sensors - FX vs DX Field Comparison at same WD
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