Macro Lens vs Standard Prime & Zoom Lenses
Feb 20, 2012 03:41:00 #
Macro Lens vs Standard Prime & Zoom Lenses:
There are several ways to obtain true macro (1:1 magnification aka life-size) images.
The best images are captured with a dedicated macro lens. Sharp image corner-to-corner, easy to use, and repeatable results. Extension tubes will increase mag., and preserve corner-to-corner resolution.
Extension tubes on a standard prime lens is second best. Corners can be soft focus, one or more tubes needed to achieve 1:1 mag.
Extension tubes on a zoom lens is third best, as center of lens is used for macro, but corners are still soft. Zooms are usually heavier than prime lenses. Zooms usually have smaller apertures, demanding more light for normal exposure.
Threaded add-on "close-up" lenses (measured in diopters) are fourth best, as extra surfaces of simple lens can flatten contrast, and simple lens is uncorrected at edges, causing softness of detail & chromatic aberration.
Using a 2x (doubler) between camera & standard prime lens or zoom lens is fifth best, as extra lenses surfaces (usually uncoated) are added to optic formula. Corner softness and chromatic aberration can be evident.
There are several ways to obtain true macro (1:1 magnification aka life-size) images.
The best images are captured with a dedicated macro lens. Sharp image corner-to-corner, easy to use, and repeatable results. Extension tubes will increase mag., and preserve corner-to-corner resolution.
Extension tubes on a standard prime lens is second best. Corners can be soft focus, one or more tubes needed to achieve 1:1 mag.
Extension tubes on a zoom lens is third best, as center of lens is used for macro, but corners are still soft. Zooms are usually heavier than prime lenses. Zooms usually have smaller apertures, demanding more light for normal exposure.
Threaded add-on "close-up" lenses (measured in diopters) are fourth best, as extra surfaces of simple lens can flatten contrast, and simple lens is uncorrected at edges, causing softness of detail & chromatic aberration.
Using a 2x (doubler) between camera & standard prime lens or zoom lens is fifth best, as extra lenses surfaces (usually uncoated) are added to optic formula. Corner softness and chromatic aberration can be evident.
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