macro question

lucien

Senior Member
Hi if I have a cam that can do macro and super macro. What does that mean? is it really macro? or do the pics come out the same. But not to a purist? what would the the pic look like and are these "macros" pseudo macros" aka an illusion?
 

dennybeall

Senior Member
Lenses do macro, not cameras. Macro in my understanding is a ratio of 1:1 while super macro is anything less than that.
So if my 1" bug makes a 1" picture it's macro. If it makes a 2" picture it's super macro.???????
 

lucien

Senior Member
sorry, I was asking about a bridge camera, any long zoom cam with a built in lens. Aka alot of the bridges do have nice macro pics aka are capable of do in so. Am I wrong or is it an illusion
 

480sparky

Senior Member
There is no official definition of a macro image, or a macro camera, or even the parameters that define the word. Given the lack of standard, the manufacturers are at liberty to use the word however they wish using a bit of 'Madison Avenue Licensing'. I could make a ham and cheese sandwich and call it 'macro'. I could sell 'Macro Shampoo" and operate a "Macro Taxi" service. "Super Macro" is just non-sensical mumbo-jumbo intended to sell a product to the uninformed.

The generally accepted definition is a 1x magnification, or a 1:1 reproduction ratio. This means the image of the actual object being photographed is projected at the same size as the actual object. Meaning, a 1mm subject is projected on the sensor/film and would be measured to be 1mm.
 

lucien

Senior Member
very good, answer. And worth looking into. So in essence the 1 to 1 ratio (true) has to be respected. Hence a true macro? No matter what cam? Is there a way of cheating? I think your a living computer btw It's a compliment
 

480sparky

Senior Member
also, do alot of companies claim that? and how do they cheat? The 1:1 ratio

There's nothing to cheat. 1:1 is the generally accepted 'macro' threshold. But since there's no legal definition, 1:2 can be called macro. 1:3 can be called macro. I've even seen lenses call 1:24 macro.
 

lucien

Senior Member
fuji hs25exr and nikon D5000, but the fuji is a bridge with a 30x zoom, no comprende no lol and it's the 18-55 mm, which focuses down to .09ft across the board
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Actually, the formal definition of macro photography is magnification greater than 1:1. Micro photography is up to 1:1.

Wikipedia says "Macro photography (or photomacrography or macrography, and sometimes macrophotography), is extreme close-up photography, usually of very small subjects, in which the size of the subject in the photograph is greater than life size"
(their following sentences clarify that it is size on the sensor)

Nikon calls all of their macro lenses to be a "Micro" lens, because they only go up to 1:1, but do not exceed it.

But that is purist any more, and no one else gives much attention to what they call macro. Some don't even reach 1:1. Hard to fight it, and even Nikon web site now groups all of their micro lenses under the heading of "macro lenses". :)
 
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lucien

Senior Member
is it ok if I post one, as an example then let the judges decide? If so I shall do it on Monday, but it's not from a Nikon would that be acceptable ? another thing I was doing wrong was zooming in while in the macro mode. I think the lens/focus should set then take the pic. It's been a while since I took one and I did it the wrong way. If possible you guys be the judges, is it just a close up or a "true" macro that's why I put the words in bracket.

thanks again
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
What judges? Are you entering a contest? If you're calling fellow Nikoniters 'judges', we really don't care. Nor is what you use for gear of much consequence to us. What is important is results, not splitting technical hairs. If you post a great photo, we won't come back with, "Yeah, that's nice and all. But it's 'only' 1:1.05, so it's not worthy of us' or 'But he used a Sony, so let's ban him from the forum".
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
One thing to consider with the fuji v Nikon D5000 a lesser magnification from the Nikon but cropped could look better than the fuji.
 

lucien

Senior Member
it was suggested that I place it in the Macro section, but all my questions/queries will be lost is there a substitute and it's not a nikon? New thread perhaps called is this a "macro" but where?
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Sensor (or film) size doesn't affect the math. If you're shooting a 1:1 shot, the image projected onto the sensor/film is the same size. What changes is the size of the subject in relationship to the sensor/film. Smaller sensors may not be able to record the entire subject ('crop' parts of it out), while much larger sensors will have a lot of empty space around the subject. But both will be shot at 1:1.
 
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