Minimum Focus Distance USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Minimum Focus Distance The minimum focus distance is the closest distance at which a camera lens can focus on a subject while still producing a sharp image. Every lens has a minimum focus distance, which is typically indicated on the lens barrel or specified in the lens specifications. The minimum focus distance varies depending on the lens design, focal length, and maximum aperture. For macro lenses or lenses designed for close-up photography, the minimum focus distance may be very short, allowing the lens to focus on subjects that are just a few centimeters away from the front element.

In contrast, telephoto lenses may have longer minimum focus distances, requiring the photographer to be farther away from the subject to achieve sharp focus. Understanding the minimum focus distance of a lens is important for photographers, especially when shooting close-up subjects or when working in confined spaces where the ability to focus at close distances is crucial.