Macro question: In looking at macro photography, I noticed that there is frequent reference to magnify action (?) Of a lens. I.e. a 1:1 means a one inch subject will fill 1 inch of the...

elent

In looking at macro photography, I noticed that there is frequent reference to magnify action (?) Of a lens. I.e. a 1:1 means a one inch subject will fill 1 inch of the sensor at some particular distance (feel free to correct me anywhere in this discussion). As such, does that mean that a 10x lens will give you the opportunity to achieve the same sensor fill at, say, 10 times resistance---all things being equal? Further, do macro lenses say 10x, or am I looking at some other aspects t to make that determination.

pquiggle Loc: Monterey Bay California

Yes, 1:1 means that the image of the subject on the film or sensor is the same size as it actually is (1x or life size). The particular distance from the subject depends on the focal length of the lens, the longer the focal length the greater distance. A 10x magnification means that the image is 10x the size of the subject so a 0.1 in subject will form a 1 in image on the sensor and the distance from the subject will be 1/10 as far away as with a 1x magnification.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

elent wrote:

In looking at macro photography, I noticed that th... (show quote)

1:1 means that the lens is capable of giving you a life size macro image.
This great article will help you understand.
https://www.techradar.com/how-to/what-is-a-macro-lens-magnification-and-minimum-focus-explained

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The True Macro Forum on UHH has a lot of help articles on their home page:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

elent wrote:

In looking at macro photography, I noticed that th... (show quote)

What you're saying is correct, but I'm not aware of a 10:1 lens, I don't think that such lens exist!
Canon and some other companies do offer a 5:1 lens, I think that's the most you can get in a lens for now!

ecurb1105

speters wrote:

What you're saying is correct, but I'm not aware of a 10:1 lens, I don't think that such lens exist!
Canon and some other companies do offer a 5:1 lens, I think that's the most you can get in a lens for now!

That magnification is generally done with a bellows attachment and a short focal length specialty lens or an enlarger lens.

lowbone

Some people use microscope lenses combined with tubes and bellows. 10X is obtainable but extremely difficult with both camera and subject on a rigid platform. Stacking becomes a necessity at these magnifications. I recently saw some butterfly wings at 18X magnification.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

speters wrote:

What you're saying is correct, but I'm not aware of a 10:1 lens, I don't think that such lens exist!
Canon and some other companies do offer a 5:1 lens, I think that's the most you can get in a lens for now!

I think that when you get into 10:1 you are talking about microscope objectives and such, clearly not something someone new to macro should be considering.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

lowbone wrote:

Some people use microscope lenses combined with tubes and bellows. 10X is obtainable but extremely difficult with both camera and subject on a rigid platform. Stacking becomes a necessity at these magnifications. I recently saw some butterfly wings at 18X magnification.

They were pretty wild weren't they, I have some at about 4:1 that I took with a reversed lens on tubes, but 18X must be incredible.

elent

So, 5x is magnification and not zoom? I have a lot to learn before I can even ask intelligent questions. And recommended sites?

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

As others have said, your understanding of macro 1:1 ratio is correct. Ten times magnification is in the realm of 'microscopic' and here's a Flickr link of a fellow that does it including his stunning images and his camera setups that he uses. https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhallmen

From personal experience, the higher the magnification the critical the lighting becomes for the subject is nearly touching the lens so it requires different techniques. Also I have found that the higher the magnification the more shallow the depth of field becomes so only the tiniest point of the subject is in sharp focus. To get the results you see those online get requires focus stacking which as you will see from the link above John Hallmen has merged more than 100 shots together in his focus stacking to get the results displayed on his site.

On a great note, I believe you will find macro photography thrilling, fulfilling and highly addictive. It quickly became the new found love of my life (second only to my wife and our dogs of course).

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

pquiggle wrote:

Yes, 1:1 means that the image of the subject on the film or sensor is the same size as it actually is (1x or life size). The particular distance from the subject depends on the focal length of the lens, the longer the focal length the greater distance. A 10x magnification means that the image is 10x the size of the subject so a 0.1 in subject will form a 1 in image on the sensor and the distance from the subject will be 1/10 as far away as with a 1x magnification.

1:1 is life size on the sensor, which means the CROP at 1:1 is also different for each format size.

My Micro 4/3 macro goes to 1:1, but the image is about 17mm wide on the sensor, compared to about 35mm wide on 35mm film or full frame digital. I can copy a fourth of a 35mm slide at 1:1 because of the 2X crop factor. That has been very useful when digitizing slides and negatives with my camera.

You can mount most cameras on microscopes with an adapter, if you need 10X or greater magnification. Make a video of pond scum! It is otherworldly gross.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

elent wrote:

So, 5x is magnification and not zoom? I have a lot to learn before I can even ask intelligent questions. And recommended sites?

Don’t worry about asking an “intelligent” question. None of us knew anything about anything until we learned it. When talking about a zoom lens, “5x” refers to its focal length range. 10-50, 50-250, or 100-500mm are all 5x zooms. You seem to have an understanding of magnification. When asking specific questions, it would help to know what equipment you have, and some idea of your subject matter. Do check out the links in the “True Macro” and “Close-Up Photography” sections. Scroll down to the bottom of this page, click on “All Sections,” and you’ll see a listing of all the specialty sections.
Again, there are no stupid questions here, only an occasional stupid answer. Have fun!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

ecurb1105 wrote:

That magnification is generally done with a bellows attachment and a short focal length specialty lens or an enlarger lens.

I'm aware of that, that's why I mentioned that 5:1 is about the most you can get with a simple macro lens!

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

ecurb1105 wrote:

That magnification is generally done with a bellows attachment and a short focal length specialty lens or an enlarger lens.

Lens stacking with ordinary lenses is a simple way to obtain high magnifications. I get 14X by reversing a 25mm lens on a 350mm telephoto. Adding extension tubes get you even more magnification.