55mm Nikon Micro AIS

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

In article , Matt Clara wrote:
Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Yes, and a good one at that.

Geoff.


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Geoffrey S. Mendelson, C.T.O. GW&T Ltd., Jerusalem Israel

IL Voice: 972-544-608-069 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838

Matt Clara said:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Haven't heard that expression before, but I did recently swap one of those
for a Canon F1N body. I have extension tubes for my F2 and Nikkors, so if
I ever need to do macro photography I am sure those would help.

--
Ask yourself,
"What would Elvis do?"

"Dallas" wrote in message
news
Matt Clara said:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Haven't heard that expression before, but I did recently swap one of those
for a Canon F1N body. I have extension tubes for my F2 and Nikkors, so if
I ever need to do macro photography I am sure those would help.


Flat field lenses are for reproducing documents or artwork--ya know, flat
stuff... :-)
My photography needs to start generating revenue, and this is something I
should be able to offer as a service

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Matt Clara" wrote in message ...
Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Virtually *all* photographic lenses are designed to have a flat field.
There are only rare exceptions, and the 55mm micro is not one of
them. The 55mm micro is one of the best-corrected photographic lenses
you can buy, both for close-up and distant work. Of course its a flat
field lens!

Brian
www.caldwellphotographic.com

"Matt Clara" wrote in message
.. .
"Dallas" wrote in message
news
Matt Clara said:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Haven't heard that expression before, but I did recently swap one of
those
for a Canon F1N body. I have extension tubes for my F2 and Nikkors, so
if
I ever need to do macro photography I am sure those would help.


Flat field lenses are for reproducing documents or artwork--ya know, flat
stuff... :-)
My photography needs to start generating revenue, and this is something I
should be able to offer as a service


Mr. Caldwell indicates I'm spreading disinformation--the 55mm Nikon Macro is
spoken of as a great lens for the above kind of copy work, and I've heard
said that's because it's an excellent flat-field lens. Mr. Caldwell
indicates that it's very well corrected, and perhaps that's really the
reason it's great for copy work.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Matt Clara" wrote in message . ..
"Matt Clara" wrote in message
.. .
"Dallas" wrote in message
news
Matt Clara said:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Haven't heard that expression before, but I did recently swap one of
those
for a Canon F1N body. I have extension tubes for my F2 and Nikkors, so
if
I ever need to do macro photography I am sure those would help.


Flat field lenses are for reproducing documents or artwork--ya know, flat
stuff... :-)
My photography needs to start generating revenue, and this is something I
should be able to offer as a service


Mr. Caldwell indicates I'm spreading disinformation--the 55mm Nikon Macro is
spoken of as a great lens for the above kind of copy work, and I've heard
said that's because it's an excellent flat-field lens. Mr. Caldwell
indicates that it's very well corrected, and perhaps that's really the
reason it's great for copy work.

Exactly how did I indicate that you're spreading disinformation??

Brian
www.caldwellphotographic.com

"brian" wrote in message
m...
"Matt Clara" wrote in message
. ..
"Matt Clara" wrote in message
.. .
"Dallas" wrote in message
news Matt Clara said:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

Haven't heard that expression before, but I did recently swap one of
those
for a Canon F1N body. I have extension tubes for my F2 and Nikkors,
so
if
I ever need to do macro photography I am sure those would help.


Flat field lenses are for reproducing documents or artwork--ya know,
flat
stuff... :-)
My photography needs to start generating revenue, and this is
something I
should be able to offer as a service


Mr. Caldwell indicates I'm spreading disinformation--the 55mm Nikon
Macro is
spoken of as a great lens for the above kind of copy work, and I've
heard
said that's because it's an excellent flat-field lens. Mr. Caldwell
indicates that it's very well corrected, and perhaps that's really the
reason it's great for copy work.

Exactly how did I indicate that you're spreading disinformation??

Brian
www.caldwellphotographic.com

I didn't intend it as an insult, I'm merely correcting the disinformation
I've been apparently spreading. When you corrected my understanding of
flat-field lenses, I felt beholden to modify what I'd said to Dallas about
flat-field lenses for copy work. Please elaborate on lenses for copy work
if you're able.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Matt Clara" wrote in message

I didn't intend it as an insult, I'm merely correcting the disinformation
I've been apparently spreading. When you corrected my understanding of
flat-field lenses, I felt beholden to modify what I'd said to Dallas about
flat-field lenses for copy work. Please elaborate on lenses for copy work
if you're able.


No insult felt - I was concerned that I might have done the insulting.
Another example of online miscommunication!

As I said earlier, most photographic lenses are designed to work best
on a flat image field. Perhaps its better to say that they are
designed to have a flat image field for distant subjects. If this
weren't the case, then you would have poor edge definition for objects
at or near infinity.

When you focus away from a lens' optimum magnification you will
normally induce astigmatism which effectively changes the shape of the
optimum image surface. Coma, distortion and other aberrations also
get introduced, but these don't effect field flatness. By moving at
least two groups of elements independently you can avoid this to a
great extent. Using this technique, the 55/2.8 achieves a very stable
aberration balance throughout its entire focusing range. In
particular, the optimum image surface remains flat for all object
distances.

Brian
www.caldwellphotographic.com

In article , Matt Clara
wrote:

Is this considered a flat-field lens?

This is my own understanding, based only on 20 years in photography, so
please feel free to disagree:

It IS a "flat field lens", but isn't "considered" one.

There are dedicated lenses designed solely for repro work, that are
designated flat-field lenses. That is, the optical design sacrifices
other characteristics (like freedom from lens flare, etc) for the best
possible resolution over a flat plane, and usually within a rather
narrow range of reproduction ratios.

That said, the Micro Nikkor will be all the "flat field" lens you're
ever likely to need. It's characteristics for this purpose are
excellent; I've done large amounts of copy work with that lens and it's
predecessors, and have always had excellent results.

Taking the stick by the other end, the only common lens specifically
intended for other than a flat field would be the Ektanar-C, for slide
projectors.