Facts on Macro Lenses
- Macro lenses allow photographers to capture close-up views of subjects, such as small insects or detailed textures, without suffering the optical aberrations that occur when you use a simple lens for a close-up.
- Macro lenses come in different focal lengths, ranging from 50 mm to 180 mm. Lenses with lower focal lengths cost less but require you to get closer to your subject. If you're photographing live subjects, this can be tricky.
- Some camera manufacturers label certain lenses as macro lenses, even if they cannot achieve a 1:1 magnification. Although these lenses focus more closely than simple lenses, they are not as effective as true macro lenses.