Hi Julian

Last year I did some measurements on macro lenses, which I'm quoting below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've just measured the various distances with my original non-USM EF 100
f2.8 macro which also has internal focusing, but which I understand has a
different construction to the USM version.
At 1:1,
lens length front to back 15.2cm;
lens front-subject 11cm;
lens hood-subject 7cm;
film plane-subject 31cm
At 1:2,
lens length front to back 13.0cm;
lens front-subject 20.5cm;
lens-hood-subject 16.5cm;
film plane-subject 38cm.

As an afterthought I've dug out my X-700 with my Vivitar 90 f2.8 macro and
done the same measurements:
At 1:1,
lens length front to back 17.8cm;
lens front-subject 13cm;
film plane-subject 36cm;
At 1:2,
lens length front to back 13.5cm;
lens-front-subject 22cm
film plane-subject 40cm
The Vivitar lens isn't an IF lens so keeps its 90mm focal length throughout,
and its front element isn't so deeply recessed as the Canon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Interesting to see that the Vivitar (old-fashioned non IF type lens) returns a
1:1 film to object distance of 4x its marked focal length (as per simple text
books, despite the optical cell having non-trivial depth), whilst the Canon
non-USM EF100 measures out at 31cm, suggesting that at 1:1 it is something like
a 77.5mm focal length.  However, useful working distance at 1:1 becomes
something of a joke when you put the dedicated Canon lens hood on the EF 100
f2.8 USM version, which I now have.  (I've got rid of the non USM version which
had a deeply hooded front element.)

Incidentally on my EOS3 the EF 100 f2.8 macro USM focuses very quickly when it's
away from the macro range - much faster than my 85 f1.8 USM which is a much
older design.

Malcolm
Milton Keynes, UK


----- Original Message -----
From: Julian Loke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: EOS Seeking macro information


> But the whole point is that the REAL working distances are different from
> the calculated values. What is more is the EFFECTIVE focal length at 1:1 is
> half of the working distance.
>
> So, for a 100mm macro lens, working distance, should be 200mm, but it is
> not. Hence, actual focal length at 1:1 for my EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro has
> to be 74.5mm
snip

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