Sigma 80-400 Focus Past Infinity

RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
edited August 15, 2007 in Cameras
Is it unusual for a lens to focus past infinity?? My new Sigma 80-400 does not stop at the infinity mark on the lens barrel but goes past it. I had to send the lens in for service for another matter but this wasn't addressed and I am just wondering if it is normal. I've never seen it before...but that doesn't mean squat.
Ray Larson
Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,132 moderator
    edited August 14, 2007
    RayLarson wrote:
    Is it unusual for a lens to focus past infinity?? My new Sigma 80-400 does not stop at the infinity mark on the lens barrel but goes past it. I had to send the lens in for service for another matter but this wasn't addressed and I am just wondering if it is normal. I've never seen it before...but that doesn't mean squat.

    It is not unusual to see lenses, especially long lenses and lenses with "exotic" elements, with focus capabilities beyond infinity.

    The usual reason is to allow the lens to focus even at elevated temperatures, which causes the lens barrel to expand and most of that expansion is along the length of the lens.

    Lenses that are designed for visible light and UV applications also need to allow for extra length because UV will focus infinity at a greater distance from the image plane. (IR focuses at a closer distance to the image plane than visible spectrum light.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • RayLarsonRayLarson Registered Users Posts: 199 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2007
    Thanks Ziggy,

    I assumed that there was a reason...just never seen it on any other lenses I have worked with. thumb.gif
    Ray Larson
    Nikon D80, D300, D700 all gripped, Nikkor 50 f1.8 Nikkor 18-200 VR Nikkor 70-200 VR f2.8 Nikkor 28-300 VR, Sigma 50-150 f2.8 Sigma 80-400 OS Sigma 150-500 OS Nikon SB600
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