Macro lens
A macro lens is a lens designed for taking extreme close-up photos of a subject. Most macro lens can be used for normal photography but are more expensive than the equivalent lens without the macro capability.
what is a macro lens?
If you’ve ever seen a photo of a spider’s eyes or the veins of a leaf, that was a macro photo.
Most macro photos are taken with the lens within a foot or so of the subject. Non-macro lenses just won’t focus this close to the subject. Their Minimum Focus Distance (MFD) is normally around three feet. For a macro lens, the MFD is generally somewhere between 8 and 12 inches.
What really sets a macro lens apart isn’t just its close MFD, however—it’s the fact it combines a close MFD with a relatively long focal length.
A perfect macro lens has an MFD and focal length that together allow you to get a 1:1 “reproduction ratio”. This means that the object you’re photographing is reproduced at exactly the same size it is in real life, on the camera sensor.
Macro photography doesn’t strictly have to have a reproduction ratio of 1:1. That only occurs when you’re using a good macro set up right at its MFD. In reality, you can get great looking macro photos even if the reproduction ration is 1:0.7 or even lower. Even 1:0.5 is going to be a lot closer than you’d be able to get with a regular lens.
The extension tube
Most macro lens can be used for normal photography, but are more expensive than the equivalent lens without the macro capability.
A much cheaper alternative, or at least addition to your kit, could be an extension tube. It attaches to the lens and turns your 70mm into an extreme macro.
Lens extension tubes extend the magnification of your lenses. They provide an inexpensive and effective starting point in building a macro photography kit.
These tubes fit between the camera body and the lens. They twist onto your camera as a normal lens would, and then the lens attaches to their front.
Technically, they increase focal length while holding the aperture diameter and the minimum focus distance constant.
They allow your lens to focus closer, as the focusing element will be further away from the sensor. Consequently, magnification increases, until it reaches its limit at the minimum focusing distance (MFD).
what is a macro lens?
If you’ve ever seen a photo of a spider’s eyes or the veins of a leaf, that was a macro photo.
Most macro photos are taken with the lens within a foot or so of the subject. Non-macro lenses just won’t focus this close to the subject. Their Minimum Focus Distance (MFD) is normally around three feet. For a macro lens, the MFD is generally somewhere between 8 and 12 inches.
What really sets a macro lens apart isn’t just its close MFD, however—it’s the fact it combines a close MFD with a relatively long focal length.
A perfect macro lens has an MFD and focal length that together allow you to get a 1:1 “reproduction ratio”. This means that the object you’re photographing is reproduced at exactly the same size it is in real life, on the camera sensor.
Macro photography doesn’t strictly have to have a reproduction ratio of 1:1. That only occurs when you’re using a good macro set up right at its MFD. In reality, you can get great looking macro photos even if the reproduction ration is 1:0.7 or even lower. Even 1:0.5 is going to be a lot closer than you’d be able to get with a regular lens.
The extension tube
Most macro lens can be used for normal photography, but are more expensive than the equivalent lens without the macro capability.
A much cheaper alternative, or at least addition to your kit, could be an extension tube. It attaches to the lens and turns your 70mm into an extreme macro.
Lens extension tubes extend the magnification of your lenses. They provide an inexpensive and effective starting point in building a macro photography kit.
These tubes fit between the camera body and the lens. They twist onto your camera as a normal lens would, and then the lens attaches to their front.
Technically, they increase focal length while holding the aperture diameter and the minimum focus distance constant.
They allow your lens to focus closer, as the focusing element will be further away from the sensor. Consequently, magnification increases, until it reaches its limit at the minimum focusing distance (MFD).
Macro lens for nikon
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens
Macro lens for olympus
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro Lens, for Micro Four Thirds Cameras
Macro lens for canon
Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Fixed Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Macro lens for Nikon
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens
Macro lens for canon
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
extension tube for canon
Fotodiox Canon EOS Macro Extension Tube Set Kit for Extreme
Close-up
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens
Versatile enough for virtually and professional photographic situation
Mount: Canon EF-S, Canon M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony A, Sony E, Samsung NX | Full frame: No | Type: Diagonal | Elements/groups: 10/7 | Diaphragm blades: Unspecified | Focus: Manual focus | Minimum focus distance: 0.3m | Maximum magnification: Mount-dependent | Hood: Bayonet-fit or fixed | Dimensions (WxL): 78×73-101mm (varies with mount) | Weight: 410-515g (varies with mount)
- Designed for close-up and macro photography; versatile enough for virtually any photographic situation
- Maximum Angle of View (FX-format): 23°20′. Features new VR II vibration reduction technology, Focal Length: 105 mm, Minimum Focus Distance: 1.03 ft( 0314 m)
- Nano-Crystal coat and ED glass elements that enhance overall image quality by further reducing flare and chromatic aberrations
- Includes an internal focus, which provides fast and quiet auto-focusing without changing the length of the lens. Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1.0x
- Weighs 279 ounces, and measures 33 x 45 inches; Made In China; 5-Year Warranty (1-Year International + 4-Year USA Extension)
- Lens not zoomable
PROS
- Weatherproof Macro lens withstands harsh conditions
- 7.4 inch minimum working distance. Focal Length – 60 mm
- 1x 35mm equivalent maximum magnification
- 13 separate lens elements in 10 groups assures faithful reproduction of finest details
- Focus limit switch speeds up auto focus. Built-in working distance window for subject distance confirmation
CONS
- Weatherproof Macro lens withstands harsh conditions
- 7.4 inch minimum working distance. Focal Length – 60 mm
- 1x 35mm equivalent maximum magnification
- 13 separate lens elements in 10 groups assures faithful reproduction of finest details
- Focus limit switch speeds up auto focus. Built-in working distance window for subject distance confirmation
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro Lens (35mm equivalent)
Macro lens with high image quality and high contrast
Focal length: 60mm (35mm equivalent focal length: 120mm) | Maximum / Minimum aperture: F2.8/F22 | Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups (1 ED lens, 2 HR lenses, 1 E-HR lens) | Splashproofing: “IEC Standard publication 60529 IPX1 (applies when the lens is used with Olympus splashproof Body)/Dustproof construction” | Angle of view: 20° | AF mode: High-speed imager AF (MSC mechanism) | Closest focusing distance: 0.19m | Maximum image magnification: 1.0x (35mm equivalent maximum image magnification: 2.0x) | Minimum field size: 17 x 13mm | Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (circular aperture diaphragm) | Filter size: Ø46mm | Mount Standard: Micro Four Thirds System standard | Size: 56mm x 82mm | Weight: 185g
This 1x* magnification macro lens features a dustproof and splashproof construction as well as high image quality and high contrast. With this lens you can shoot from far away to 1:1 magnification macro photography maintaining resolution and high contrast from the centre to the edges of the image. Also makes use of the sharp image capture from the widest aperture setting. In addition to nature macro photography, this lens is also ideal for landscapes and portraits.
- Weatherproof Macro lens withstands harsh conditions
- 7.4 inch minimum working distance. Focal Length – 60 mm
- 1x 35mm equivalent maximum magnification
- 13 separate lens elements in 10 groups assures faithful reproduction of finest details
- Focus limit switch speeds up auto focus. Built-in working distance window for subject distance confirmation
PROS
- Weatherproof Macro lens withstands harsh conditions
- 7.4 inch minimum working distance. Focal Length – 60 mm
- 1x 35mm equivalent maximum magnification
- 13 separate lens elements in 10 groups assures faithful reproduction of finest details
- Focus limit switch speeds up auto focus. Built-in working distance window for subject distance confirmation
CONS
- Weatherproof Macro lens withstands harsh conditions
- 7.4 inch minimum working distance. Focal Length – 60 mm
- 1x 35mm equivalent maximum magnification
- 13 separate lens elements in 10 groups assures faithful reproduction of finest details
- Focus limit switch speeds up auto focus. Built-in working distance window for subject distance confirmation