What makes a macro lens?
Feb 4, 2018 13:11:58 #
Really dumb question ....~~~~ what makes a macro lens? How does one differentiate between other used lenses. Thanks for your help, patience and knowledge.
iCE 🇺🇸
iCE 🇺🇸
Feb 4, 2018 13:15:51 #
Feb 4, 2018 13:45:39 #
IcemanKS wrote:
Really dumb question ....~~~~ what makes a macro lens? How does one differentiate between other used lenses. Thanks for your help, patience and knowledge.
iCE 🇺🇸
iCE 🇺🇸
Not a dumb question at all. A Macro lens or Micro that Nikon calls it, is specially formulated to allow you to capture images as close as 1:1 ratio. For example my 200MM Nikon Micro Nikkor lets me get as close as 10 inches from my subject for a 1:1 ratio. Fixed focal length Macro or Micro perform better(Sharpness through the corners) better than a Zoom.
Hope that helps.
Stan
Feb 4, 2018 14:08:14 #
You will see some zoom lens marked "macro" but in the case of zooms it just means they focus closer than most other zooms, not that they are macro lenses. Macro lenses usually can put a life size image on the sensor (film in the old days) although a few older ones only did 1/2 life size. Canon has one that will do 5 times life size but that lens only has a few inches of focus range and cannot be used on any subject more a bit over a foot away.
Feb 4, 2018 14:41:18 #
IcemanKS wrote:
Really dumb question ....~~~~ what makes a macro lens? How does one differentiate between other used lenses. Thanks for your help, patience and knowledge.
iCE 🇺🇸
iCE 🇺🇸
My wife is an expert on dumb questions. She constantly tells me whenever I make one.
Macro means you can get close with the lens, often a matter of a few inches. They are still dependent on the size of magnification of the lens itself as to how close you can get. The larger the lens, the more the minimum focal distance.
Close up filters attach to the front of a regular lens and allow a very close focus. Years ago when I did film, I had a series of stackable close-up filters that allowed a 10X magnification and focal distance of about 1". I got a lot of apple blossom stamens with that combo on a 50mm.
When buying a used lens go with a reputable seller. Adorama, B&H, Samy's, Robert's, and most larger brick and mortars have good used lenses center. While some trust eBay, I personally don't. If you are looking at a used lens, read the online reviews first to give you an idea of the lens capabilities. B&H has not only a good selection, they also explain why they rate its condition.
Feb 4, 2018 15:32:40 #
Feb 4, 2018 15:32:55 #
Feb 4, 2018 16:03:29 #
Good replies and info. Macro lenses are of a different design usually called flat field focus design. They give better sharpness and focus for the extreme close ups. You can put extension tubes or a bellows on standard lenses and have a lot of fun, but once you have a true macro lens there is no going back.
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/flat-field-macro.145275/
https://www.photo.net/discuss/threads/flat-field-macro.145275/
Feb 5, 2018 07:27:36 #
rdubreuil
Loc: Dummer, NH USA
IcemanKS wrote:
Really dumb question ....~~~~ what makes a macro lens? How does one differentiate between other used lenses. Thanks for your help, patience and knowledge.
iCE 🇺🇸
iCE 🇺🇸
True "Macro" lenses have a 1:1 or greater ratio of subject to sensor. In other words if your subject is 1/2" long in real life it will be 1/2" long on the camera sensor.
Feb 5, 2018 09:23:40 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
A macro lens can produce an image at a 1:1 ratio, which means that a bee can show as life sized on the sensor. It does this by allowing you to focus by getting physically closer to the subject than with a regular lens. It can also focus at infinity and thus can be used like a regular lens. You can also use extension tubes to make any lens a macro lens. They come in sets of three with varying lengths. A 35mm extension tube paired with a 35mm lens will produce a 1:1 image. But you can't focus at infinity with extension tubes and they reduce your minimum F stop, thus increasing the amount of light needed for proper exposure.
Feb 5, 2018 09:33:28 #
crbuckjr
Loc: Naples FL
Are good macro lenses typically designed only for macro photography?. Or, can they be used for other purposes? If so, what other purposes can a good macro lens serve? Thanks.
Feb 5, 2018 10:02:53 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
crbuckjr wrote:
Are good macro lenses typically designed only for macro photography?. Or, can they be used for other purposes? If so, what other purposes can a good macro lens serve? Thanks.
They focus at infinity and can be used like any regular lens. Some people like them for portrait lenses because they're so sharp, as long as they're in the "portrait lens" range of focal lengths. For a full frame sensor, this may range from 75mm to 135mm.
Feb 5, 2018 10:23:30 #
crbuckjr
Loc: Naples FL
I have a D750. what would you recommend as good macro lens that would also serve other purposes? eg portraits thanks
Feb 5, 2018 12:03:14 #
IcemanKS wrote:
Really dumb question ....~~~~ what makes a macro lens? How does one differentiate between other used lenses. Thanks for your help, patience and knowledge.
iCE 🇺🇸
iCE 🇺🇸
A true macro lens records a life-size, 1:1 image on whatever sensor format you are using. It MAY have even greater magnification.
In almost all cases, a macro lens design is an apochromatic, "flat field," low/no distortion design. It is optimized to maintain uniform focus, brightness, and other image qualities from center to edge, corner to corner. It is also optimized to work at close distances, even if it will focus to infinity.
Some lenses are marked "macro", but really aren't true macro designs. They might get down to 1/4 life size or so, but have significant distortion and poorer performance up close. That does not mean they aren't usable as close-up lenses in a pinch. But they are not optimal.
Feb 5, 2018 16:12:13 #
Unlike most lenses it should be flat-field and close-focusing. I prefer 100mm -150mm focal length macros.
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