What is 'macro'?

Kryptix

Kryptix

Messages
1,730
Edit My Images
Yes
I see some zoom lenses that have the word 'Macro' on the end. What exactly is this? I always thought macro was close-up? Does it mean it can focus to a macro level or what?
 
A lot of lenses have the word macro on them but in my opinion are not really proper macro. For example on the Sigma 70-300 macro mode just means you can focus from a closer distance, I certainly do not think the results are macro though.
 
True macro is 1:1 life-size. For this, you would need a macro lens. But many zoom lenses use this term to indicate the lens will focus closely, however won't come anywhere near true 1:1.
 
A true macro lens is 1:1 and a object the same size as the sensor in your camera will fill the view finder at 1:1 magnification, a 1:1 macro lens is always a prime lens. a Sigma 70-300 macro is 1:2 and a object the same size as the camera's sensor will only fill half of the view finder. the sensor on a Canon 50D is 22.3x14.9mm
 
Kryptix said:
I see some zoom lenses that have the word 'Macro' on the end. What exactly is this? I always thought macro was close-up? Does it mean it can focus to a macro level or what?
Click to expand...

macro means "whole" and in photography terms means that you are capturing something at 1:1 ratio, that is it isn't cropped which you would have to do to get a whole human body into a picture for example. true macros are 1:1 but it gets used for crop factors of 2:1 or even 3:1 and most people use it as a term to describe lenses that can focus at a shorter distance from the subject
 
Woo, 70-200mm L IS USM Macro. Lovely! :)

Cheers guys.
 
Zebedee101 said:
macro means "whole" and in photography terms means that you are capturing something at 1:1 ratio, that is it isn't cropped which you would have to do to get a whole human body into a picture for example. true macros are 1:1 but it gets used for crop factors of 2:1 or even 3:1 and most people use it as a term to describe lenses that can focus at a shorter distance from the subject
Click to expand...

2:1 is twice life size, 3:1 is 3 x life size i think you mean 1:2 half life size and 1:3 is a 3rd life size
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top