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How does focal length affect the close focus distance of a lens?



Like all lenses, longer focal length lenses  have the ability to focus to infinity, but as the focal length increases the closest focusing distance decreases dramatically. The chart below gives an approximation of these distances.
Focal length of lens
Standard closest focusing distance
20mm wide angle
 6 inches - 0.15m
28mm wide angle
1 ft   - 0.3m
50mm 
(standard lens on 35mm camera)
 2ft - 0.6 m
135mm 
small telephoto
5ft - 1.5m
400mm 
telephoto
25ft -  8 m
600mm
telephoto
33ft  -10m



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