JMorris271 Loc: Columbia,SC

Hello there. I hope everyone that wanted one had a nice Thanksgiving day.
My question. What is the different between a macro lense and the micro setting that are available on SLR's?
How do the shots compare.
Is it worth the investment for someone that wants to get serioius hobby wise and is interested in micro?
Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

True macro lenses are "flat field" lenses, meaning they have better edge to edge sharpness. Zoom lenses with a "macro" feature & "close focus" lenses do not have this, plus they are not designed exclusively for close focusing. They are like a jack of all trades & master of non, where as true macro lenses are designed exclusively for that purpose.That said, many people will find the results of zooms with the "macro" feature acceptable as long as they don't pixel peep or make huge enlargements.

Sensei

Nikon names their range of ‘macro lenses’ with the word ’micro’. Canon on the other hand, calls them macro lenses. The word macro means big, whereas the word micro mean small.
Nikons top macro lens is called AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens.
Canon’s top macro lens is called a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.

Macro photography is that which is taken with a dedicated macro lens. A real macro lens has the capability of achieving in the least a 1:1 magnification. Just because a camera has the word macro written on it, doesn’t make it a true macro lens. Both the Nikon and Canon lenses mentioned above, are considered real macro lenses.
Because your digital SLR camera lens has macro written on it, doesn't mean it is actually macro. Unfortunately manufacturers sometimes add this word to their lenses as a marketing ploy.
•1:1 or 2:1 ratio is a real macro lens
•1:2 is not a real macro lens

cgchief Loc: Jarrettsville

Roman Vishniac did not have a macro lense when he started out. Check him out he was pretty good.

snowbear

As discussed above, a macro lens is a lens that attaches to the camera for taking photos at near 1:1 ratio (subject's size to size on the sensor or film).

The macro setting on the camera generally controls the way a camera will handle certain features, such as auto-focus, aperture, shutter speed and flash. It is an automatic or "program" setting that allows the camera to make most, if not all of the technical decisions.

For your second question, only you can truly answer that. There are alternatives to closeup photography (a broader subject, not just macro) such as extension tubes and diopters. If you're not sure, I'd try to borrow or rent something before investing a large amount of money.

Sensei

It depends a lot on what you want as a result. I often put a 2x magnification, filter like glass on the end of the lens for a close up, of things like jewlery.

JMorris271 Loc: Columbia,SC

To clarify tis for myself, you are saying that the MACRO setting on the camera is not meant as a replacement for the Macro lense. It is only to control it?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Absolutely correct.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Ugly HedgeHog now has a forum dedicated to macro-photography here:
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