aellman Loc: Boston MA

Hope to get an answer from you guys. I have a Sony DT 18-70 3.5-5.6 macro lens. Can't figure out how to get it into macro mode. HELP! Thanks! >Alan

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't see "Macro" in the name of the lens. This review mentions a macro shot near the bottom of the article.
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_18_70mm_f_3_5_5_6_kit_lens_reviewid240.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=sony+macro+lenses&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=sony+macro+lenses&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.3415j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Bill_de Loc: US

I couldn't find any reference to Macro associated with the lens described by OP.

Doesn't mean it's not out there somewhere.

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Joe Blow

The minimum focus appears to be 1.3 ft / 0.38 M. That would be from the object to the focal plane. I don't think there is a dedicated mode for macro, just the minimum focus. (The focal plane is a circle with a long line through it, located on the top of the camera. It represents the sensor on a DSLR or film on a SLR. This is for those who actually measure the distance. Some newer cameras may not have this mark.)
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-18-70-3p5-5p6-m15/3 .

This appears to be an older and different from the lens referenced by jerryc41. Your's appears to be a rebranded, old Konica-Minolta lens Sony inherited when they bought them out.

If it still works and the images make you happy then enjoy. Few of these older lenses have Image Stabilization but do have good optics.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't think it's a macro lens. A quick search indicates that it's maximum reproduction is .25X or 1:4. Macro lenses are usually able to provide .50X or 1:2 magnification ratio. It also seems that the maximum magnification might be at 15 inches when zoomed to 18mm.

This lens has no macro mode.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

When you see 'macro' on a zoom or some prime lenses, that does not mean it is really a macro lens.
The 'macro' labeling on these lenses is a deceit that the manufacturers use to indicate that the lens will focus a bit closer than others in that class.
Your lens does not have a macro setting it just will focus that bit closer.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

I just go out and take pictures.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Sorry. Left that out. On the ring around the front element it reads "macro." There is a way to go to macro range by manipulating some part of the lens barrel. Knew it a long time ago, but now... I've tried everything.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Its not a macro lens, but it can get quite close to subjects!

Canisdirus

The lens isn't a dedicated macro lens, but it focuses fairly close (1' 3'', 38cm) from the subject. The lens provides a magnification of 0.25x.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I'm sure that post generated a lot of negative responses. Zoom lenses are not real Macro Lenses. Many are close-focusing with yes, some shift (twist / Push-pull) in the optics to get close-focusing. I have a couple like that and they can be confusing to put into close-focus (fake macro) mode. I don't really have to sweat it as I have 4 real macro (prime) lenses.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

It appears that lens is discontinued, but I found a couple selling used at B&H Photo, and they have the specifications for the lens available.

The highest magnification possible with the lens is 1:4 or 0.25X... on quarter "life size", which is a little better than a lot of zooms, but not really "macro" by most peoples' definitions.

There is no "official" definition of what constitutes "Macro". Some think only 1:1, 1.0X or "life size" qualifies. Others refer to 1:2, 0.50X or "half life" size, which was the highest magnification possible with many older macro lenses, without added accessories. Few zoom lenses come anywhere close to even 1:2, let alone 1:1 magnification. But many zoom lenses "claim" macro capabilities for marketing purposes. In truth, they're more like "close-up" capable zooms. (An exception is Canon's EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM zoom, which can do 0.70X or almost "three quarters life size" on it's own, using its "macro" setting.)

The specifications for the lens lists 15 inches (.38 meter) as the closest focus distance (or "MFD", "minimum focus distance") of the lens. This dimension is measured from the film/sensor plane of the camera. But this only renders 1:4 or 0.25X magnification, maximum.

If you want greater than 1:4/0.25X magnification with the lens, you can fit "macro extension tube(s)" between the lens and the camera. WHOOPS! I see that Kenko, Vello, Fotodiox, and others offer those tubes in sets (apparently most sets include two.... 10mm and 16mm... which can be used together for 26mm). These tube sets provide electronic connectivity for focusing, aperture control and any other lens functionality. SEE EDIT BELOW.

DO NOT buy the cheaper macro extension tubes that don't have the electronic contacts. Those will provide higher magnification, but no means of auto focusing the lens and... far more importantly... no control over the lens aperture. Those cheap tubes (many cost under $10) might be useful with vintage, manually focused lenses that have built-in mechanical means of controlling the lens aperture. But they are largely unusable with modern, electronically controlled lenses.

IMPORTANT EDIT: Forget the Kenko, Vello, Fotodioz lenses mentioned above. Those are all Sony E-mount and will not work with A-mount cameras and lenses such as your 18-70mm. For use with your lens you need A-mount extension tubes. There may be others I'm unaware of, but I found the following two possibilities:

Kenko A-mount Extension Tube set (12mm, 20mm, 36mm):
https://www.adorama.com/knaetsdmax.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=adl-gbase

Movo A-mount Extension Tube set (10mm, 16mm, 21mm):
https://express.google.com/u/0/product/678369844010318091_8620204774974029592_100176220?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=tu_cu&utm_content=eid-lsjeuxoeqt&gtim=CPS_ue3pgqOSBBDd6vbL346lowkYsLvULyIDVVNEKJD4quwFMNyi4i8&utm_campaign=100176220&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiILsBRCGARIsAHKQWLN1RtxZgZ_juVkcRBrIyf5aNk_ZQRA6Fb8_6a68Zh9oaqT8vBy0oYMaAgvPEALw_wcB

Extension tubes such as these are an easy way to make any lens that fits your camera able to focus closer. You can increase magnification by adding more extension. While the extension is installed, the lens will not be able to focus all the way to infinity.

I learned to use extension tubes many years ago and have made a point of having a set of them handy for every system I've used since, they're so widely useful while being reasonably affordable (compare to buying a macro lens), light weight and compact.

fromkmr

Years ago, I purchased a Sony a300. The lens you are asking about was included in the bundle (kit lens) that I purchased. It is a zoom lens, and as stated above, not a dedicated macro lens. The lens does have "macro" printed on it, and you will be able to get fairly close with decent focus. If you are looking for a dedicated Sony macro lens, try the Sony DT 30mm macro for A mount cameras. I use to own this lens. I think you will be happy with that choice
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_30mm_f_2_8id115.html

Bill_de Loc: US

I guess this is the lens you are talking about. Looking at many, many images I found none that indicate a macro mode. I remember years ago reading complaints about how manufacturers were labeling 'close focusing' lenses as macro. Could that be the case here?

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Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

A very common thing is for a regular lens to have a 'macro' label in some reference to its closest focusing distance. This has always caused confusion since it ain't macro. This is thought by some to be done to make people think that the lens is capable of macro photography, when it isn't. I think rwilson has said it very well.
You can take a lens like this and modify it for close up photography that will get close to macro. For example, clipping a Raynox 150 or Raynox 250 diopter to the front of the lens (easily purchased from Amazon). These are pretty high quality diopters and are not very expensive. However, for best results with them one should start with a very sharp lens.