We present experimental results on the modified Stokes force F exerted on a sphere in magnetic levitation whose position is kept fixed by an optical feedback system. A Newtonian liquid moves at a constant velocity U relative to the sphere. We consider the motion in two different situations. (i) When the sphere approaches a wall perpendicular to U, the increase in |F| due to lubrication agrees quantitatively with theoretical results such as those of Brenner (1961) and Maude (1961), obtained neglecting the unsteadiness of the flow field. (ii) In the complementary situation of a sphere moving along the axis of a cylindrical tube, our results expressed as a function of the eccentricity of the trajectory and of the ratio of the two radii confirm and extend previous theoretical analyses. They show in particular the existence of a minimum of |F| away from the axis of the cylinder and a sharp increase in |F| when the sphere approaches the sidewall. By comparing with the results for a sphere moving parallel to a flat wall, we analyse the effect of the curvature of the cylindrical tube.