micro or macro

[rookie2]

excuse my ignorance but can someone explain the difference if there is between micro/macro. Is it just termonology?

Also my attempts with extension tubes and the kit lens usually only have only a small amount of the insect/plant in focus.
Would a 105 or 60mm micro/macro lens help minmise this or is it a matter of getting the DOF right each time by experimenting with the aperture etc

As usual all feedback appreciated.

Merry Christmas..time to get some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzss..I can hear someone outside...hope he knows not to drop the pressies!!

[Nnnnsic]

You know what a macro is? Well the Nikon lenses use the term Micro instead of Macro.

Why? I've got no bloody idea.

[MattC]

The way that I understand it, it is micro for reproduction ratios greater than 1:1 and macro for less than 1:1... and Nikon uses the correct terminology.

But then, I could be very, very wrong.

Cheers

[mudder]

The way that I understand it, it is micro for reproduction ratios greater than 1:1 and macro for less than 1:1... and Nikon uses the correct terminology.

But then, I could be very, very wrong.

Cheers

Ahhh, I've always wondered too, thanks...

[Alex]

I think "Micro" is the more correct way of naming it. Take Microscope for example. Micro mode is analogous, in a way. Nikon got it right, others not.

Alex

[Sheetshooter]

Referering back to Langford:

Macrophotography employs macro lenses

Micro photography employs microscopes

Additionally, Stroebel, Compton, Current & Zakia say the following about MACRO lenses (no listing on Micro lenses, by the way):

Macro lenses are especially designed to be used at small object distances.

Note: "small object distances" not MICRO distances - so it is possibly yet another example of Japanes English like the prestigious Nissan Cedric - based on the fact that Cedric was considered by the Japanese as being a classy English name.

On a more Germanic level they are invariably "Makro" lenses. I dare say that there is a good chance that the odd man out is possibly the one at error.

Regardless, macro designs are my preferred choice for all formats becaus ehtye areusally stunning in their performance - Macro function zooms notwithstanding.

Cheers,

[Matt. K]

I believe the terms micro and macro in reference to photography have not been clearly defined academically and are interchangable. I would be very interested to see documentation from a respected source to the contrary. I believe the terms refer to any photography of a close-up nature where the photographer employs supplementary close-up equipment, such as macro/micro lens, bellows, extension tubes, lens reversal rings and or close-up filters.

[Sheetshooter]

Stroebel, Compton, Current & Zakia along with Langford would be as respected sources as one would find.

Cheers,

[Matt. K]

Walter
Popular usage aside....and despite many differing definitions of the above terms by different references...microphotography is defined as making reduced size images for purposes of information storage...ie as in microfilming and photomicrography is the taking of photographs through a microscope. Macrophotography is the making of very large photographs such as photo murals. This is according to the International Center Of Photography Encyclopedia....a very respected reference amongst photographers and certainly a little more authorative than Langford I dare suggest. However, there are numerous other references that give differing definitions and my endevours to pin this down as an absolute have not been that fruitful. If Nikkor calls it close-up lenses "MICRO" and Canon or Tamron call them "Macro", then I don't really don't give a hoot. I stand by my previous post.

[Sheetshooter]

Rookie,

To return to your question; it is something of a conundrum and perhaps only the designers of the Nikon lens design team are able to answer.

In the realm of 35mm and DSLR optics Nikon do call their "small object distances" lenses "MICRO" and yet in their range of large format lenses (of which I have several) they are called "MACRO".

All boils down to "what's in a name", I guess.

Incidentally, the 60mm Micro Nikkor is a very impressive performer and I know of nearly new used one currently currently available at a good p[rice. (Had to get a plug in.)

Cheers,

[Greg B]

I always thought that Nikon calls it's macro lenses micro lenses for the same reason that their lenses mount and demount in the opposite direction to just about every other brand of camera with interchangeable lens.

To be different.

[Matt. K]

Greg B
Might be related to the reasons that water swirls down the plughole anticlockwise and ceiling fans have to be reversed on that side of the planet in order to cool the room down?

Rookie,
I can attest to the fact that the 60mm Nikkor micro...er macro...whatever...is a superlative lens for both general photography and precision closeup photography.

[Greg B]

Once again Matt, you have looked beyond the obvious.

[rookie2]

thanks for all the posts discussing/thrashing this one around.

I'll keep an open mind (and not loose any any sleep on it)

As far as the 60 or 105 lenses, I will try & do some in shop testing and get it clear in my head what I am really looking for in this type of lens.

my Dig Phot learning curve is looking more like rollercoaster!

thanks R2