Macros - Nature Photography Forum

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Q. Macros

Asked by Helen Parr (K=192) on 12/7/2003

I keep reading about macros. What IS macro photography and, do you need a special kind of camera for it?

Thank you for your patience.

Peter Witkop (K=3189) - Comment Date 12/7/2003

Macro photography is, most simply put, close-ups. You'll ussually hear macro photography talked about in referance to it's reproduction ratio, 1:1, 1:2, etc. This means the size of the object in real life to the size the object on film. So a 1:1 has the object at the same size on film as in real life, 1:2 is 1/2 size, etc. The only equiptment you need is a lens that will focus close up. That's the functional differance between a macro lens, and a normal lens. You can also get close up filters, which are basically magnifying glasses that screw onto your lens, there's extension tubes, and much other junk that can be involved, but you can get started with some pretty simple gear. If you don't happen to have a macro lens for your camera, a set of close up filters aren't very expensive (their optical quality isn't that great, but they're good enough unless you print large), and will let you try macro, and play around with it, and if you like it, then delve deeper.

Peter

Helen Parr (K=192) - Comment Date 12/8/2003

Thank you Peter. That's very helpful.

Jon Alexander (K=47) - Comment Date 4/19/2004

Quantaray makes a great 50mm macro for nikon f mount or canon ef for around 200 which is one of my favorite lenses. You can pick one up at a wolf camera or a ritz camera. Then you can get into bellows and extensino tubes depending on how much you like it. If you're anything like I am you'll be lookin into it all.

Orris Grefsheim (K=152) - Comment Date 4/19/2004

Many close focus lens designs also have a flat plane of focus, which improves results greatly when photographing flat subjects or doing copy work.

Janine Parkins (K=1384) - Comment Date 4/20/2004

Hi Helen,
I bought a macro lens about 6 months ago and I love it! The lens I bought has a great feature that changes from and zoom to a macro with a flip of a switch. Here is the link to the one I bought on ebay for my Nikon N65 camera.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3343&item=3811028719

On this page it shows you three different photos to show what a difference the macro can make.

I love mine....I am now able to take those shots of flowers, animals etc that show the smallest details. It has opened up a whole new world of discovery and fun in photography for me.

I wish you the best...I hope this helps.
Take care,
Janine

Kambiz K

(K=37420) - Comment Date 2/18/2006

I use Sigma 105 for my macro photography with the circular flash light. They are great.

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