True macro?
Dec 11, 2012 17:54:36 #
Hi everyone, after read some about true macro photography on here, I'm left wondering if I'm actually shooting macro now. I don't have a "macro lens" but my camera has an automatic macro mode and I use that pretty frequently. Here is one that I kind of liked. Is it considered true macro?
Dec 11, 2012 19:08:24 #
First, we need to know the size of your sensor. What camera model are you using?
Second, we need to know the size of your subject. In millimeters, what is the diameter of this flower, petal to petal?
A true macro means that the captured image on the sensor is exactly the same size as the subject, or larger. We do not mean an enlarge print or enlarged monitor view, but the size on the camera's sensor.
Photographing a metric ruler at Minimum Focusing Distance, and comparing image to known size of sensor, is the surest method of documenting macro capability of a lens.
Usually only purpose-designed macro lenses are capable of true macro, unaided by extension tubes, or additional optics.
Please read Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html , and all the threads listed.
Second, we need to know the size of your subject. In millimeters, what is the diameter of this flower, petal to petal?
A true macro means that the captured image on the sensor is exactly the same size as the subject, or larger. We do not mean an enlarge print or enlarged monitor view, but the size on the camera's sensor.
Photographing a metric ruler at Minimum Focusing Distance, and comparing image to known size of sensor, is the surest method of documenting macro capability of a lens.
Usually only purpose-designed macro lenses are capable of true macro, unaided by extension tubes, or additional optics.
Please read Introduction to True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-22447-1.html , and all the threads listed.
Dec 11, 2012 19:23:19 #
Oh gosh Nikonian, I can tell that I'm already way out of my league here and have so much to learn. All I can tell you is that I'm using an older model Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H5. I know I have a LOT more to read and study. Thank you for the reply and help. I'll keep shooting (and measuring for that matter) :-)
Dec 11, 2012 19:55:37 #
This is all I could find on Sony's website.
Megapixel: 7.2 MP
Imaging Device: 1/2.5" Super HAD CCD sensor.
Focal Length: 6 - 72 mm
35mm Equivalent: 36 - 432 mm
Focus: 3 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF,
Flexible Spot AF, Manual
Focal Distance: 13/16" (2 cm) (W), 19-
3/4" (50cm) (T)
Aperture Range: f2.8-8.0 (W), f3.7-8.0 (T),
10-step f2.8-8.0 (Aperture Priority,
Manual)
Shutter Speed: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto),
1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto), 46-
step 30 sec to 1/1000 sec. (Shutter
Priority, Manual), 8" - 1/2000
(Aperture Priority)
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3
EV Step Increments
ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied
Adapter Ring)
Smart Zoom® Technology: Up to 14X
(5MP), 18X (3MP), 22X (2MP), 57X
(VGA Resolution)
Digital Zoom: 0-2.0X (Precision)
Optical Zoom: 12X
Macro Mode: Yes
Total Zoom: 24X
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm)
Normal, 0.74" (2cm) Macro
Megapixel: 7.2 MP
Imaging Device: 1/2.5" Super HAD CCD sensor.
Focal Length: 6 - 72 mm
35mm Equivalent: 36 - 432 mm
Focus: 3 Area Multi-Point AF, Center AF,
Flexible Spot AF, Manual
Focal Distance: 13/16" (2 cm) (W), 19-
3/4" (50cm) (T)
Aperture Range: f2.8-8.0 (W), f3.7-8.0 (T),
10-step f2.8-8.0 (Aperture Priority,
Manual)
Shutter Speed: 1/4 - 1/2000 sec. (Auto),
1 - 1/2000 sec. (Program Auto), 46-
step 30 sec to 1/1000 sec. (Shutter
Priority, Manual), 8" - 1/2000
(Aperture Priority)
Exposure Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3
EV Step Increments
ISO: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
Filter Diameter: 58mm (with supplied
Adapter Ring)
Smart Zoom® Technology: Up to 14X
(5MP), 18X (3MP), 22X (2MP), 57X
(VGA Resolution)
Digital Zoom: 0-2.0X (Precision)
Optical Zoom: 12X
Macro Mode: Yes
Total Zoom: 24X
Minimum Focus Distance: 19.7" (50cm)
Normal, 0.74" (2cm) Macro
Dec 11, 2012 21:34:55 #
bawlmer wrote:
The above is the important part. Imaging Device: 1/2.5" Super HAD CCD sensor.
A 1/2.5" sensor is the smallest sensor made (see chart below), smaller than your pinky fingernail. A standard APS-C sensor (most DSLRs) is larger than your thumbnail.
Capturing a macro of a quarter coin with an APS-C sensor, with fill the viewfinder & sensor, coin edge-to-edge.
Capturing a macro of the same quarter with a 1/2.5" sensor, will capture only the coin's date of minting. Any larger image is a close-up, not a macro.
17-mm Dime & 24-mm Quarter macro field on a Nikon APS-C sensor at MFD
Dec 12, 2012 12:18:06 #
If you can truely say that an image is true macro, it alludes to being shot at 1:1 magnification or greater. Because sharp images are difficult to obtain at 1:1 or greater, there is great challenge - and people tend to be impressed by this. Great images are still great images though -no matter what magnification, lens, camera, or lighting used !
Dec 17, 2012 19:32:59 #
KMosteller wrote:
I know that flower... and that is a very nice close up of it..Hi everyone, after read some about true macro photography on here, I'm left wondering if I'm actually shooting macro now. I don't have a "macro lens" but my camera has an automatic macro mode and I use that pretty frequently. Here is one that I kind of liked. Is it considered true macro?
Dec 18, 2012 08:40:09 #
Thank you Bawlmer, I needed that info about my camera. That was so sweet of you
Dec 18, 2012 08:42:23 #
And thank you Blurryeyed for the compliment. The flower is from my spider plant :)
Dec 18, 2012 09:16:42 #
KMosteller wrote:
Yes, I have taken a few pics of that flower myself, I call the plant a mala madre, but it is the same plant..And thank you Blurryeyed for the compliment. The flower is from my spider plant :)
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