what makes a lens 'micro'?

[JatZilla]

Ya I know, newbie question. :D

50mm f/1.4 lens. Its focal length is 50mm.

60mm f/2.8 lens. Its focal length is 60mm.

Is there any other difference? What makes the 60mm 'micro' and the 50mm a regular portrait lens?

[Qarik]

Ya I know, newbie question. :D

50mm f/1.4 lens. Its focal length is 50mm.

60mm f/2.8 lens. Its focal length is 60mm.

Is there any other difference? What makes the 60mm 'micro' and the 50mm a regular portrait lens?

focusing distance is much much shorter in teh micro lens

[JatZilla]

focusing distance is much much shorter in teh micro lens

k so you mean the 50mm lens can't focus objects that are closer than, let's say, 2 feet away from the lens. In contrast, a 50mm micro lens can focus objects that are only 6 inches away from it?

[ziggy53]

While there is the "true macro" definition of 1:1, where the image size at the image plane matches the subject size, there is also a "marketing macro", commonly used in zoom lens descriptions as just "macro", which infers an image that is "printed" to lifesize at a 4" x 6" print size (roughly A6). In this case the image is obviously enlarged when printed and about 1:4, or 1/4 lifesize (or less).

It would also appear that around 6:1 or so the terminology switches to "micro", except for Nikon who regularly use the term "Micro" to describe their "macro" series lenses.

In the other direction, starting at about 1:2 it appears more correct to use the term "close focus" (unless you are a lens manufacturer using the "marketing" form of the word "macro".)

Confused? I am. :wink

[craig_d]

Confused? I am. :wink

Yes, it's very irritating. When I see the word "macro" in a lens description, I always look for "1:1" near it (or even higher values, like the 5:1 Canon MP-E 65 super-macro -- point is, the number on the left should be equal to or greater than the number on the right). Otherwise I don't consider it a macro lens.

[Qarik]

k so you mean the 50mm lens can't focus objects that are closer than, let's say, 2 feet away from the lens. In contrast, a 50mm micro lens can focus objects that are only 6 inches away from it?

correct

[Art Scott]

This is why one should always visit the lens manufacturers site for the official specs on the lens......all that I have checked always state .... 1:1....1:2......1:4 and so on.....
Generically Macro/Micro means closer than normal focusing.......on my 70-210 I have a focus distance of ~6 feet.....the newer 70-200 macro focus at around 39 inches for a 1:3.5 image.......I like my lens to keep a decent working distance from 18-40 inches for macro work as some things I do not want to be nose to nose with....this includes some plants that I am extremely allergic to but they have beautiful leaves and flowers......

[Zimtok]

Art,
A Hazmat suit may be something you should think about adding to your equipmemt for those "extremely allergic" conditions you get into....:D



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