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rmtagg · 03-13-2008, 04:42 PM

I see this when referring to Macro lenses- 1:3 ratio or 1:1 ???? What does this mean?

Stratman · 03-13-2008, 04:54 PM

Hm, I know 1:1 means it is a full macro, meaning full size magnification... 3:1 would be "less" macro than 1:1. In other words if you want a true macro lens, 1:1 is the way to go.

rmtagg · 03-13-2008, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by Stratman

Hm, I know 1:1 means it is a full macro, meaning full size magnification... 3:1 would be "less" macro than 1:1. In other words if you want a true macro lens, 1:1 is the way to go.

So if it reads 1:3 this will give me a picture with the flower smaller than it is in real life? And a 1:1 would be life size?

aegisphan · 03-13-2008, 05:05 PM

1:1 means life size. Basically, that's the real size of the subject. So let's say an ant is about 10x smaller than the sensor. When you take its picture at 1:1, the ant will appear to be 10x smaller than the whole frame/picture. 1:3 means it will appear to be one third of the real life size. 3:1 means it will appear to be 3x bigger than the real life size.

Most dedicated macro will end up at 1:1. Some have even higher magnification (Canon and Nikon). You can increase your magnification through various means: teleconverter, extension tube, close up filter, bellow,etc.

rmtagg · 03-13-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by aegisphan

1:1 means life size. Basically, that's the real size of the subject. So let's say an ant is about 10x smaller than the sensor. When you take its picture at 1:1, the ant will appear to be 10x smaller than the whole frame/picture. 1:3 means it will appear to be one third of the real life size. 3:1 means it will appear to be 3x bigger than the real life size.

Most dedicated macro will end up at 1:1. Some have even higher magnification (Canon and Nikon). You can increase your magnification through various means: teleconverter, extension tube, close up filter, bellow,etc.

Wow! thanks for the info. It will help me make a better decision when making my purchase

Stratman · 03-13-2008, 05:08 PM

^^^ what he said, lol

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-13-2008, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by rmtagg

I see this when referring to Macro lenses- 1:3 ratio or 1:1 ???? What does this mean?

The numbers refer to the image size on the sensor or on film. Taking a 35mm film frame of 24x36 cm or 1x1.5 inches, and an object that measures 24x36mm will exactly fill the film frame when the lens is at 1:1 reproduction ratio. An object of a little less than 16x24 mm wll fill the frame on the APS-C sized digital sensor, which is a little bit less that 16x24mm.

A ratio of 1:3, means that an object 3X the size of the sensor will just fill the sensor.

A ratio of 3:1 means that an object will be 3X as large as the sensor, so if you take a picture of something 1/3 inch X 2/3 inch, it will just fill a film frame.

When you print it, of course, the print will now magnify the size of the object. If you print a 1:1 image on a piece of 8x10 inch paper, the object is now 12X as big as in real life (using the dSLR sensor).

rmtagg · 03-14-2008, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by Canada_Rockies

The numbers refer to the image size on the sensor or on film. Taking a 35mm film frame of 24x36 cm or 1x1.5 inches, and an object that measures 24x36mm will exactly fill the film frame when the lens is at 1:1 reproduction ratio. An object of a little less than 16x24 mm wll fill the frame on the APS-C sized digital sensor, which is a little bit less that 16x24mm.

A ratio of 1:3, means that an object 3X the size of the sensor will just fill the sensor.

A ratio of 3:1 means that an object will be 3X as large as the sensor, so if you take a picture of something 1/3 inch X 2/3 inch, it will just fill a film frame.

When you print it, of course, the print will now magnify the size of the object. If you print a 1:1 image on a piece of 8x10 inch paper, the object is now 12X as big as in real life (using the dSLR sensor).

Ah, explained very well. Thank you

03-13-2008, 04:42 PM	#1
rmtagg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Warrington, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,271	What does this mean? I see this when referring to Macro lenses- 1:3 ratio or 1:1 ???? What does this mean?

03-13-2008, 06:55 PM	#7
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	A wordy explanation of reproduction ratios. Originally posted by rmtagg I see this when referring to Macro lenses- 1:3 ratio or 1:1 ???? What does this mean? The numbers refer to the image size on the sensor or on film. Taking a 35mm film frame of 24x36 cm or 1x1.5 inches, and an object that measures 24x36mm will exactly fill the film frame when the lens is at 1:1 reproduction ratio. An object of a little less than 16x24 mm wll fill the frame on the APS-C sized digital sensor, which is a little bit less that 16x24mm. A ratio of 1:3, means that an object 3X the size of the sensor will just fill the sensor. A ratio of 3:1 means that an object will be 3X as large as the sensor, so if you take a picture of something 1/3 inch X 2/3 inch, it will just fill a film frame. When you print it, of course, the print will now magnify the size of the object. If you print a 1:1 image on a piece of 8x10 inch paper, the object is now 12X as big as in real life (using the dSLR sensor).

03-13-2008, 04:54 PM	#2
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Hm, I know 1:1 means it is a full macro, meaning full size magnification... 3:1 would be "less" macro than 1:1. In other words if you want a true macro lens, 1:1 is the way to go.

03-13-2008, 05:04 PM	#3
rmtagg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Warrington, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,271 Original Poster	Originally posted by Stratman Hm, I know 1:1 means it is a full macro, meaning full size magnification... 3:1 would be "less" macro than 1:1. In other words if you want a true macro lens, 1:1 is the way to go. So if it reads 1:3 this will give me a picture with the flower smaller than it is in real life? And a 1:1 would be life size?

03-13-2008, 05:05 PM	#4
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	1:1 means life size. Basically, that's the real size of the subject. So let's say an ant is about 10x smaller than the sensor. When you take its picture at 1:1, the ant will appear to be 10x smaller than the whole frame/picture. 1:3 means it will appear to be one third of the real life size. 3:1 means it will appear to be 3x bigger than the real life size. Most dedicated macro will end up at 1:1. Some have even higher magnification (Canon and Nikon). You can increase your magnification through various means: teleconverter, extension tube, close up filter, bellow,etc.

03-13-2008, 05:08 PM	#5
rmtagg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Warrington, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,271 Original Poster	Originally posted by aegisphan 1:1 means life size. Basically, that's the real size of the subject. So let's say an ant is about 10x smaller than the sensor. When you take its picture at 1:1, the ant will appear to be 10x smaller than the whole frame/picture. 1:3 means it will appear to be one third of the real life size. 3:1 means it will appear to be 3x bigger than the real life size. Most dedicated macro will end up at 1:1. Some have even higher magnification (Canon and Nikon). You can increase your magnification through various means: teleconverter, extension tube, close up filter, bellow,etc. Wow! thanks for the info. It will help me make a better decision when making my purchase

03-14-2008, 08:03 AM	#8
rmtagg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Warrington, PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,271 Original Poster	Originally posted by Canada_Rockies The numbers refer to the image size on the sensor or on film. Taking a 35mm film frame of 24x36 cm or 1x1.5 inches, and an object that measures 24x36mm will exactly fill the film frame when the lens is at 1:1 reproduction ratio. An object of a little less than 16x24 mm wll fill the frame on the APS-C sized digital sensor, which is a little bit less that 16x24mm. A ratio of 1:3, means that an object 3X the size of the sensor will just fill the sensor. A ratio of 3:1 means that an object will be 3X as large as the sensor, so if you take a picture of something 1/3 inch X 2/3 inch, it will just fill a film frame. When you print it, of course, the print will now magnify the size of the object. If you print a 1:1 image on a piece of 8x10 inch paper, the object is now 12X as big as in real life (using the dSLR sensor). Ah, explained very well. Thank you