More About Macros

I had an idea, not out of the blue, but spurred by a video on macros that I watched on YT. Namely, to put my macro lens on a crop sensor camera.

I normally shoot with my newer full frame camera, but I have an older crop sensor (which just means smaller sensor) camera that still yields decent photos.

Without digressing into the whys and wherefores, from the same distance a crop sensor (technically call an APS sensor) will result in 50% more magnification than a full frame sensor. (Note: a full frame sensor is the size of a 35mm negative in the film days of yore.)

So, I tried it out, and I could get closer with the crop sensor: not that I necessarily want to in most cases, but it's good to have the option.

Here is the result on 2 chrysanthemum photos.

In the first photo (above) I chose smaller blooms: the one on the right actually being about 3/4" with the left being about 1/4". On my screen as I type this the right is approx 4" and the left 1.25", depending on where exactly one measure, but you get the idea.

Below, the whole actual bloom in ~2" but I have cropped off some of it. In the photo, it's about 7.75". The centre is really about 3/4" but almost 4.75" in the photo (on my monitor although it will likely be different on yours.)

I have probably, quite pedantically, explained this before, but a macro lens results in the same proportions as the actual subject. So if the subject is 1" it will also be 1" on the sensor. Of course, the sensor is small, so as soon as you develop an actual photo, the subject becomes much larger than an inch. It could stretch all of the way across a very large image. For example, if I printed the above photo at 20" inches it would still cover the canvas. (The above numbers are what we experience if the camera is at its closest to the subject. As you pull back, of course, a 1" subject won't be 1" on the sensor.)

Here are two more photos of grape hyacinths. Keep in mind that the blooms actually measure ~1/8", but even in the more zoomed out photo, the one that I measured is ~3/4". In the second image the bloom in most focus is almost 2".

I know, if you are still with me with eyes slightly glazed over, this is only of passing interest (if that), but I thought I would put the information out there.