Working Distance is the measurement from the front of the lens to the subject. It does not include lens hood; it's the measurement from the focus plane on the subject to the middle of the front element of the lens.
The following data is from my field notes compiled when using these lenses, coupled with known published manufacturer specs. There can be small variabilities to these numbers due to differences in measurement techniques.
Nikon Lenses
Note that all Micro-Nikkors use a combination of focal length and focus extension to get to 1:1 (life-size) magnification ratios, which also impacts the maximum aperture value reported.
40mm f/2.8G DX
- 1:1 is 2.1” (52.5mm) working distance
60mm f/2.8D
- 1:1 is 2” (50mm) working distance (focal length is 49.4mm, max aperture is effective f/4)
- 1:2 is 4.7" (120mm) working distance
85mm f/3.5G DX
- 1:1 is 5.6” (141mm) working distance (focal length is 71.5mm, max aperture is effective f/5)
105mm f/2.8G VR
- 1:1 is 5.5” (139mm) working distance (focal length is 74mm, max aperture is effective f/4.8)
- 1:2 is 10” (238mm) working distance
200mm f/4D
- 1:1 is 10” (261mm) working distance (focal length is 102mm)
- 1:2 is 18.2" (461mm) working distance
70-180mm f/3.5D
- 1:1.33 is 4.7" (119mm) working distance
- 1:2 is 10.6" (270mm) working distance
Sigma Lenses
105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
- 1:1 is 5.1" (139mm) working distance
150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO
- 1:1 is 7" (183mm) working distance
180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
- 1:1 is 8.5" (219mm) working distance
Tamron Lenses
60mm f/2 Di II LD
- 1:1 is 3.9" (100mm) working distance
90mm f/2.8 Di II
- 1:1 is 3.7” (95mm) working distance
180mm f/3.5 Di
- 1:1 is 9.1” (230mm) working distance (DG OSM HSM version is slightly shorter at 220mm)
Tokina Lenses
35mm f/2.8
- 1:1 is 0.7" (18mm) working distance
Irix Lenses
150mm f/2.8
- 1:1 is 7" (177mm) working distance
