What is a macro lens, and what does 1:1 magnification mean?
Asked 8/7/2010
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I’m new to photography and keep seeing the term “macro lens.” I understand it has to do with close-up photography, but I’m confused about what actually makes a lens “macro.” What does 1:1 magnification mean, how is a true macro lens different from lenses that just have “macro” in the name, and are there other ways to shoot macro without buying a dedicated macro lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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True macro lens gives you a 1:1 magnification -- that is a ratio of size of the subject and its image on the sensor. With 1:1 magnification on APS-C sensor (22×15 mm), you can fill whole picture with area of this size.
Other properties of macro lenses include that they have fixed focal lengths, usually very low distortion (see distortion figures of Canon EF 100mm macro at photozone.de for example). Also, macro lenses tend to have non-rotating and non-moving front elements which is useful since you put them very close to the thing you're shooting.
Mostly due to marketing reasons, term macro is now used for lenses with 1:2 or even lower magnification. (Tamron AF28-200mm F/3.8-5.6 XR Di Aspherical (IF) Macro has 1:4, which means on APS-C body the smallest area you'll focus on is 88×60 mm.)
On compact cameras, macro means "setting where you can focus a bit closer". (Although, as Roddy points out, this can sometimes get you close to actual macro range: Panasonic TZ5 can capture a 63×47mm area, which gives results similar to lens with 1:3 magnification on APS-C DSLR -- image quality aside)
Originally by user112. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user112
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A macro lens is designed for very close focusing so you can photograph small subjects at high magnification.
The classic definition of a true macro lens is 1:1 magnification (life size): the subject’s image on the camera sensor is the same size as the subject itself. So a subject about the size of your sensor can fill the frame. Some lenses marketed as “macro” only reach 1:2, 1:4, etc., so they are close-focusing lenses, not full 1:1 macro.
Macro lenses are usually prime lenses and often have low distortion. Many are designed so the front element doesn’t rotate, which helps when shooting very close.
Working distance depends on focal length: shorter macro lenses require you to get very close, while longer macro lenses let you stay farther away.
You can also do macro-style photography without a dedicated macro lens by using extension tubes or a close-up filter on a regular lens.
On compact cameras, “macro mode” usually just means the camera can focus closer than usual; it doesn’t necessarily mean true 1:1 macro.
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