Lens Magnification

[richmaxw]

Hi,

I am interested in the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens for Canon EOS SLR cameras. I looked at a review and it said the maximum magnification is 0.25x. What does that mean exactly? How far can I zoom in on objects in the distance using that camera? Does it make them 4 times as large as the naked eye? Here is a link to the review:

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review

Also, could someone tell me the difference between that lens and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM telephoto zoom lens? Thanks.

 

[mjhoward]

0.25x magnification means you can focus close enough so anything you are photographing can end up as large as 1/4 life size. In other words, if your sensor is 22.2mm wide (Canon APS-C sensor width) then at the closest focusing distance, something that is 22.2mm wide will fill 1/4 of the width of your photo. OR something that is 88.8mm wide will fill the entire width of your photo.

 

[table1349]

Hi,

I am interested in the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens for Canon EOS SLR cameras. I looked at a review and it said the maximum magnification is 0.25x. What does that mean exactly? How far can I zoom in on objects in the distance using that camera? Does it make them 4 times as large as the naked eye? Here is a link to the review:

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens Review

Also, could someone tell me the difference between that lens and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM telephoto zoom lens? Thanks.

You can zoom in as far as you can see. If you can see it you can zoom in on it.

If you want reviews go here and check out the different lenses. Plenty to read. FM Reviews -

As for a comparison, here you go: Side by Side Comparison: Digital Photography Review

 

[richmaxw]

Thanks for the replies. My current camera lens (which came with my camera) has a magnification of 0.15x. So, then, I can assume that a lens with a magnification of 0.25x will make an object 67% larger in my view finder than the lens with the 0.15x magnification?

I'm basically looking for a good lens that will allow me to zoom in on objects more than my current lens. I hope I'm not just looking at the wrong lens, because mathematically, the difference between 0.21x and 0.15x doesn't seem that great.

 

[table1349]

I suspect that you come from the P&S school where every camera maker touted the "magnificaion equivelancy" of their lenses. You will understand DSLR lenses much better if you understand Focal Length and the characteristics of lenses. A good start: Understanding Camera Lenses

 

[mjhoward]

Thanks for the replies. My current camera lens (which came with my camera) has a magnification of 0.15x. So, then, I can assume that a lens with a magnification of 0.25x will make an object 67% larger in my view finder than the lens with the 0.15x magnification?

There is a difference between "zoom" which generally refers to focal length and magnification. I think the 'zoom in' you are referring to means you want to be able to see something large in the viewfinder while being FAR AWAY. This is not the same as magnification where maximum magnification is achieved at its CLOSEST FOCUSING DISTANCE. The 0.25x magnification is only apparent at the closest focusing distance for that lens. As you move further from your subject, the magnification goes down. The same goes for the 0.15x magnification. That is the magnification at the closest focusing distance for that lens.