In this guide to , we cover how to start shooting great macro images, including the kit you’ll need, and techniques for improving your close-up photography. Macro photography is quite simply , traditionally defined as taking a photograph of a subject in “life-size” so that it is recorded in its actual size (or larger) on the camera’s sensor. Once captured, the image, can then be displayed larger on-screen or in print.
A “true” macro lens is a lens that can offer . This is sometimes, but not always, referred to as 1x magnification. Some offer further magnification, such as 1.
25x magnification with the Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro, 1.4x with the or 2x with the .
Beyond the standard macro lens, exist which can offer 1-5x magnification; such as the , and Yasuhara Nanoha x5 ( ). However, these are not for dabbling with, as they can only be used for extreme macro photography, and not for general photography. You’ll find the close-focus distance printed on the side of most lenses.
If you require closer, then consider your options; an extension tube or other accessory or, for the best results, a dedicated macro lens. You may come across these terms online, which are simply for guidance in different focal lengths of macro lenses. Here we run through the benefits and potential disadvantages of each type.
you might not be able to get close enough to your subject without additional accessories. With a limited budget, there are several options that can help improve your lens’s.
