In the early days of 35mm SLR photogaphy, cameras often came
with 55-58mm lenses having an f/2 or faster aperture. One of the
great joys of SLR photography was being able to focus closer than
the 3' (0.9m) or so most rangefinder cameras were limited to. The
normal lens on most SLRs would focus to 2' (0.6m) and even as close
as 18" (0.45m) in many cases.
At this range, shooting items in the 6"x9" to 8"x12" became
feasible. Close-up lenses - which are like magnifying glasses that
fit to the front of a lens - allowed getting even closer.
What Is Macro
Purists will say the "true macro" lenses provide life size and
larger images on film, but in the real world the term is generally
applied to lenses that can produce a half life size image (covering
48x72mm or roughly 2"x3") on film. When used with zoom lenses, the
term macro may mean a lot less magnification than that - sometimes
as little as 1/6 life size.
For the purposes of this page, we'll limit ourselves to lenses
that provide at least half life size (0.5x or 1:2) magnification on
the film.
Exposure
When a lens is extended significantly from its infinity focus
position, the amount of light reaching the film is reduced. The
greater the extension, the greater the light loss. Except for
lenses with internal focus, a macro lens will typically lose a full
stop of light at half life size and two stops at life size (1:1)
magnification.
This used to be a huge issue, but it's most obviated by cameras
that measure available light and even flash exposure through the
lens. Today's cameras will pretty much take care of light loss
automatically, although you will need to deal with exposure factors
if you're using a handheld light meter or a non-TTL flash.
Macro Lenses
Lenses listed below are autofocus except as noted. Close focus
distances are measured from the film plane, not from the front of
the lens.
Normal Macros
Macro lenses in the 50-60mm range provide a natural perspective
for all around photography and can be fairly light and compact.
- Canon 50/2.5 Compact Macro provides magnification to
half life size on the film at 9.6" (0.23m). It is one of the
fastest macro lenses made. Like many macros, it stops down to f/32
for increased depth of field. Canon's Life Size Converter EF
permits recording life size images.
- Minolta 50/2.8 and 50/3.5 Macro both reach half life
size at a minimum focus of 8.4" (0.21m).
- Sigma 50/2.8 Macro - need more data
- Nikon 60/2.8 Micro Nikkor goes to life size at a
distance of 8" (0.22m).
- Pentax 50/2.8 goes to life size (1:1).
Tele Macros
The advantage of a longer macro lens is a greater working
distance between the lens, camera, and photographer and your
subject. This means you're far less likely to cast shadows on your
subject. These can also do double duty as a portrait lens.
- Tamron 90/2.8 SP Macro goes all the way to life size
without adapters or close-up lenses. This lens will focus to 11.4"
(0.29m) and is also available in a manual focus version. Tamron
once made an f/2.5 version of this optic.
- Canon 100/2.8 Macro reaches half life size at a distance
of 1' (0.31m).
- Minolta 100/2.8 Macro provides half life size
magnification at 14.4" (0.37m).
- Vivitar or Phoenix 100/3.5 Macro reaches half life size
on its own at 16.9" (0.43m) and life size using an included
close-up lens. Although not as impressively constructed as other
macros, this lens is not only relatively inexpensive (under US$200)
but has received rave reviews from users.
- Nikon 105/2.8 Micro Nikkor goes to life size at 12"
(0.31m).
- Pentax 100/2.8 and 100/3.5 both go to life size
(1:1).
- Sigma 105/2.8 Macro goes all the way to life size
(1:1).
Longer macros provide even more working distance.
- Canon 180/3.5 Macro goes to half life size at 19"
(0.48m).
- Sigma 180/3.5 APO Macro reaches life size (1:1).
- Minolta 200/4 Macro Apo is an apochromatic macro lens
that reaches half life size at 19.7" (0.5m).
- Nikon 200/4 Micro Nikkor does life size at 1.7'
(0.5m).
- Pentax 200/4 Macro goes to life size (1:1) at 21.6"
(0.55m).
Wide Macros
Not nearly as practical as longer lenses, these focus close and
provide that wide angle perspective that sometimes makes the
picture.
- Sigma 24/1.8 Aspherical Macro
- Sigma 28/1.8 Aspherical Macro
