Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus).

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SteveStrummerUK
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2012/12/24 17:00:55 (permalink)

Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus).

 
Am I correct in my assumption that identical focal length lenses used on a full frame digital SLR camera and on a 35mm film SLR camera will produce corresponding fields of view?
 
In other words, for example, a 50mm standard lens on one will still be a 'standard' lens on the other?
 
I notice that some of the less expensive Canon EOS DSLRs have a frame size of around 62.5% of the full frame cameras. Or to put it another way, the full frame is 1.6 times larger than the cheaper models.
 
Now, can anyone please explain if there is a direct relationship between camera frame size, lens focal length and field of view?
 
And if so, is this relationship in the same percentage/ratio as above (i.e. 62.5% ~ 1:1.6)?
 
If we use a 50mm lens as an example, and I use it on the smaller frame camera, do I end up with a field of view corresponding to the field of view produced when using a lens of 1.6 times this focal length on a full frame (i.e. around 80mm)?
 
Or to put it another way, if I wanted to purchase a fixed focal length 'standard' lens for a non-full frame camera, would I be looking at something around a focal length of 62.5% of 50mm - that is to say round about 31mm?
 
Sorry about my awkward wordiness, but I think I've just about said what I'm trying to find out
 
 

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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus). 2012/12/24 17:21:01 (permalink)
    "can anyone please explain if there is a direct relationship between camera frame size, lens focal length and field of view?"

    Yes there is... but I can't explain it off the top of my head.

    FOV is the most useful description but you rarely see it mentioned.


    As far as I know there are 4 Canon and 2 Nikon full frame cameras on the market. They have sensors that are nearly 36x24mm.


    Here's an illustration from wiki:






    The full frame sensors are nearly 36x24mm but not exact... so the framing is not exactly like 35mm film but it's darn near exact.


    The cameras that use the so called 1.6x factor use the ASP-C size sensors shown above.


    Some cameras like the original Canon 5D have a viewfinder that crops off some of what you actually get in your photo. You don't see the full Field of View... but it's there on the photo.


    There are Field of View calculators out there on the internet, they were once very common in Video because it was common to use a so called 2/3" chip lens on a 1/2" or 1/3" chip camera and it was useful to correlate, as your are trying to do, the field of view to the specified focal length.


    The relation ship between focal length, aperture, back focus, and imaging area is pretty universal... I had to think through the same things when I bought my telescope and selected the eye pieces... as the field of view is the result of all the other circumstances.

    Anyways, you are on the right track and thinking about the consequences of the chip size correctly.

    I suggest you search out a online calculator to make better sense of how the focal length yields varying FOV with different image areas.

    Merry Christmas.

    best regards,
    mike



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    The Maillard Reaction
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    Re:Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus). 2012/12/24 17:28:45 (permalink)


    This page has very useful calculators that answer your question specifically:

    http://www.cambridgeincol...camera-sensor-size.htm




    best,
    mike




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    SteveStrummerUK
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    Re:Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus). 2012/12/24 18:31:04 (permalink)
    Great stuff Mike, that's just what I was after!
     
    Many thanks for the detailed reply and the link, I really appreciate that
     
    And Merry Christmas to you too!!

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    RobertB
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    Re:Quick question for McQ (or any of the other camera gurus). 2012/12/24 20:18:53 (permalink)
    Good question, Steve.
    This one throws me the most when I am trying to get a perspective that I am used to with the old 35mm.
    Thanks for the link, Mike.
    Lots of good info to absorb on that site.
    My camera has been a bit lonely of late.
    Perhaps I'll take it for a walk.

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