Macro photography can also make the image appear several times bigger than it actually is in real life. Close-up photography Most point and shoot cameras have a setting called "Macro" that lets you focus in on something small or look at a small area in great detail. This is a neat feature, but it falls more under close-up photography than it does true macro photography, because its magnification ratio will not get as high as 1:1 without the help of a macro lens. Any time the magnification ratio is less than 1:1 (meaning it could be 1:2, 1:3, 1:100, 1:1000, etc. etc. ) it will fall under close-up photography instead of macro photography. The first number in the ratio (the 1) represents how big the object appears on your camera sensor. The second number represents how large it is in real life. So if you take a picture of your dog and the magnification ratio is 1:1000, Fido is 1, 000 times bigger in real life than he appears on your camera sensor. Macro vs. micro lenses Okay, so… What's the difference between a macro and a micro lens?
0x magnification factor reproduces an object at full life size on a camera's sensor. There's a bonus if you're using an APS-C format camera with a 1. 5x or 1. 6x crop factor, as you'll fill more of the image frame with smaller objects, giving greater 'effective' magnification. It's a similar effect to the way that crop-sensor cameras boost the effective telephoto reach of a lens. There are several macro prime lenses on the market that are designed exclusively for APS-C format cameras. However, you're often better off buying a full-frame compatible macro lens. They're generally not much larger, heavier or more expensive, and you'll avoid any heartache if you upgrade to a full-frame camera body in the future. Focal length A crucial consideration when choosing a macro lens is the focal length. Unlike when buying regular lenses, it's not really about wide-angle coverage or telephoto reach. Instead, it's all about the minimum focusing distance. Macro lenses with a longer focal length have a correspondingly longer minimum focusing distance, putting more working space between you and what you're shooting when you need to maximize magnification.
5 and the Sigma 150mm f/2. 8 OS. And then, offering stunning image quality with a high price tag, are the Nikon 200mm f/4 ($1792), and the Canon 180mm f/3. 5L ($1399). While I have not used either of these lenses, I have read rave reviews of their optics, especially the Canon 180mm f/3. 5L. This is another image taken with the Sigma 150mm macro. I shot through another coneflower to give this image a purple wash. Conclusion While most macro lenses allow for high-quality images, different ones will meet certain needs better than others. To summarize: If you are looking for a more general purpose lens for casual macro shooting, choose one of the short-range lenses. But if you are looking for a more serious macro photography lens and prefer to shoot handheld with greater flexibility, go with one of the mid-range lenses. Finally, if you want to shoot insects or want perfect image quality, choose a long macro lens. Still uncertain about which lens to purchase? Ask your questions in the comments section below, and I will do my best to help!
Focal Length Macro camera lenses normally have a fixed focal length (i. e. they are "prime" lenses). There are a few zoom macro lenses available but they tend to be of low quality and won't achieve such high magnification ratios as prime macro lenses. Macro lenses are available in a range of focal lengths for different purposes. The most common focal lengths are around 50mm, 100mm, and 180mm, although the exact values depend on the manufacturer. Macro lenses with short focal lengths (50mm to 60mm) are cheaper, smaller, and lighter. However, you have to get much closer to the subject, which can be a problem when photographing things like butterflies, as they are easily scared away. You might also find that your shadow gets in the way of the shot. Long focal lengths (150mm to 200mm) are more expensive, larger, and heavier, but they give you more "working distance" between you and the subject. They also give a narrower depth of field, allowing you to throw the background further out of focus, which can help to isolate the subject.
Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0. 95 Type II Lens for Micro Four Thirds Close-Up There are a handful of macro options for the wedding shooter looking to grab all the beautiful tiny details of the ceremony and reception at life size. Panasonic has a pair of options with the LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2. 8 ASPH. MEGA O. I. S. and the Leica DF Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2. lenses. Both capture 1:1 reproduction, and the LUMIX has a 35mm equivalence of 60mm, while the Macro-Elmarit features a 90mm field of view when equated to the 35mm format. Sample image taken with the Panasonic LUMIX G MACRO 30mm f/2. Lens Olympus's macro offering is the Digital ED 60mm f/2. 8 lens that features ED glass and a 35mm-equivalent field of view of 120mm. Zoom Pairings Wedding photography demands flexibility and the ability to compose images from often disadvantaged locations. To get the shot when your feet cannot get you in the correct spot, the zoom lens becomes the weapon of choice. Luckily for Micro Four Third wedding photographers, there are some terrific wide-aperture zoom lenses that lend themselves to the traditional (35mm format) 24-70mm and 70-200mm professional zoom kit.