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Macro lenses were more useful with a longer focal length, in 35mm terms, 80-100mm or more longer was desirable to give more working distance to the subject at h
by jrapdx3 10y ago
Macro lenses were more useful with a longer focal length, in 35mm terms, 80-100mm or more longer was desirable to give more working distance to the subject at high ratio, like 1:1. For example, for my MFT system, the macro is 60mm equiv to 120mm for a 35mm frame.
As I understand, lens design in the digital era has changed due to the characteristics of the sensors vs. film. Mirrorless designs have also changed requirements and eliminates some restrictions due to flange distance. I'm not an expert in that field, maybe you know more in that regard.
- dom0 10y agoFor most macro uses yes, the longer focal lenses where and are preferred due to working distance. The shorter macros where developed specifically for reproduction use (photographing records, books, paintings and the like), where the larger reproduction ratios (1:2, 1:1) where rarely if ever needed, so the problem didn't arise. The shorter flange back distance in mirrorless systems makes some things easier and some things harder (if you want short lenses that is), but overall give more freedom to the lens designer. Sensor vs film and manual focus / first AF systems vs modern AF systems is a huge difference and for many older lenses esp. in the wide angle spectrum that is the reason for a large performance difference between film and digital.