90mm macro 1:1 vs 70-200mm macro 1:3.1: TAMRON 90mm macro 1:1 vs TAMRON 70-200mm macro 1:3.1(set at 90mm) The image shot with 70-200 will be x times (smaller or larger) than the image...

firetiger Loc: Redmond, WA

TAMRON 90mm macro 1:1 vs TAMRON 70-200mm macro 1:3.1(set at 90mm)

The image shot with 70-200 will be x times (smaller or larger) than the image shot with the 90?

Question is poorly stated!

Explain the difference between a macro ratio of 1:1 as compared to a macro ratio of 1:3.1

Macro photography - Which lens would you use and why?

bioteacher Loc: Brooklyn, NY

firetiger wrote:

TAMRON 90mm macro 1:1 vs TAMRON 70-200mm macro 1:3.1(set at 90mm)

The image shot with 70-200 will be x times (smaller or larger) than the image shot with the 90?

Question is poorly stated!

Explain the difference between a macro ratio of 1:1 as compared to a macro ratio of 1:3.1

Macro photography - Which lens would you use and why?

In my humble opinion, I would purchase the fixed lens. Fixed lenses tend to have wider apertures, f2.8 vs f4 or 5.6, and tend to be sharper. Also with the 90mm lens you are getting life size (1:1) whereas with the zoom you are getting a little less than 1/3 of life size. The plus for the zoom is the wider range of focal lengths and you can take your shots at a further distance from the subject if you are shooting macro above the 90mm. Hope this helps make up your mind.

firetiger Loc: Redmond, WA

Thanks for your comments. Actually I own both lens. Both are 2.8.
It was my understanding that a lens was not a 'true' macro unless it had a ratio of 1:1 .The specs for the zoom listed the lens as macro 1:3.1.

At that point I began to be slightly confused!

I use the 90 for portraits and macro. The zoom for the neighbor kids shooting hoops at the gym. No macro.

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

True macro lenses are also "Flat Field" designs meaning better edge to edge sharpness as well as being life size or better. You can see the difference in IQ by shooting the same subject ,at the same focal length & pixel peep...The macro lens is designed for best performance at close distances, the zoom is not...

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

I have read in various articles that a defining characteristic of a Macro lens is its 1:1 ratio. The 1:3.1 may let you get close but it is not, by definition, a true Marco lens if wheat I have learned is true.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

firetiger wrote:

Thanks for your comments. Actually I own both lens. Both are 2.8.
It was my understanding that a lens was not a 'true' macro unless it had a ratio of 1:1 .The specs for the zoom listed the lens as macro 1:3.1.

At that point I began to be slightly confused!

I use the 90 for portraits and macro. The zoom for the neighbor kids shooting hoops at the gym. No macro.

Some lens makers use the term "macro" very loosely, meaning capeable of "close up"
In macro photography (1:1 and beyond), it's all about what the sensor records.
Set the 90mm lens to manual focus & turn the focus ring to the 1:1 then move camera & lens toward an object ( a coin for instance) until it is in focus. Take a photo. Do the same thing with the 70-200 lens. When you compare the two photos, the 90mm will be life size & the 70-200 will be approx. 1/3 life size. Hope this helps.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This might help.

Lens Reviews
http://kenrockwell.com
http://photozone.de/
http://dpreview.com

Info:
http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

1:3 Shot of a Bumblebee Tamron 70-200
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7524578414_4667f86120.jpg
IMGP9074 by crumlyt, on Flickr

1:1 Bumblebee
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7308988886_eb4249c4a7.jpg
IMGP6769 by crumlyt, on Flickr

Pretty big diference

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

hangman45 wrote:

1:3 Shot of a Bumblebee Tamron 70-200 br url=http... (show quote)

Very nice.

littlebug Loc: woburn ma

SWEET

firetiger Loc: Redmond, WA

A picture is worth a thousand words! Thank you for the photos.
Thanks to everyone for their comments. I leave this thread with a good understanding of macro ratios.

jerryc41 wrote:

quote=hangman45 1:3 Shot of a Bumblebee Tamron 70... (show quote)

fishone0 Loc: Kingman AZ

want true macro than go for the 90mm. Other is not a true macro. True macro is 1:1