What is the difference between macro, micro and closeup photography?
There is often much confusion amongst new photographers over the terms macro, micro and close up photography and how they differ. For starters, macro and micro usually refers to the same thing, in that Nikon names their range of ‘macro lenses’ with the word ’micro’. Canon on the other hand, calls them macro lenses.
For example, Nikons top macro lens is called AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens. Notice the term micro in that name.
Now for comparisons sake, Canon’s top macro lens is called a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. This time, instead of seeing the term micro, you’ll notice the term macro within the lens name.
What does macro and micro refer to when it comes to photography?
The word macro means big, whereas the word micro mean small. So how is it that these two terms related?
If the subject you are photographing is small and you want to make it look big, you end up with a “macro” view of a “micro” subject.
What is macro (micro) photography?
Macro photography is that which is taken with a dedicated macro lens. A real macro lens has the capability of achieving in the least a 1:1 magnification. Just because a camera has the word macro written on it, doesn’t make it a true macro lens. Both the Nikon and Canon lenses mentioned above, are considered real macro lenses. If you’re not sure how to recognise a real macro lens, you may find an earlier article useful called, What is a real macro lens.
What is close up photography?
Close up photography, is the act of photographing objects such as flowers or insects in close range so the subject you are photographing fills the frame. In other words, it’s the act of photographing subjects close up. This is easily achievable with any lens, even a 300mm telephoto lens.
Macro photography is in essence close up photography as well. However, close up photography is not always considered as true macro photography. For example, if you have a lens that is NOT considered a real macro lens, yet offers a macro setting (as many do nowadays), this is usually refered to as being close up photography, and not true macro.
How to recognise the difference between macro and close up photography?
Capturing the finest detail, is one of the main differences between macro / micro photography and close up photography.
Macro lenses are expensive for a reason. That being, a true macro lens allows the photographer to capture finer detail than would otherwise have been seen. For example, the hairs on an insects face, or the pattern in its eye.
Take the two photographs below for example. The first image is a very good example of a close up photograph, taken with a Nikon telephoto lens. While the second photograph is a macro shot, allowing for bigger magnification and showing the finest detail.
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{ 6 comments }
I am a beginner overall and especially with a macro lense. At the moment its a case of trial and error but I find that I have to be quite far away from the subject to get into focus. If I attempt to get near an insect I would be too far away to even see it let alone get images as close as the ones on the website. Any advice would help.
cannon eos 400d + Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG
Hello Rebecca,
Yes, with a Sigma 70-300mm telephoto lens, you would have to be a good distance from the subject to achieve focus. That is how telephoto’s work. My only advice would be to get your hands on a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. This would allow you to shoot closer to the subject, therefore you would definately see the insect.
Kind Regards.
Tanya.
Hi!
First, congrats for the website. I find it very useful and a lot of fun the way you pass the knowledge forward.
I’m a beginer on dslr photography and I have a question regarding Rebecca’s question:
She said she’s using a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro DG and can´t get much closer to the subject, achieving the desired focus, right?
And you recommended the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.
My question is: If it’s simply a matter of focal length, isn’t it possible that she can simply zoom her lens up to 100mm (it’s a 70-300mm set) and achieve the same result as with the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens?
I know it must be a stupid question, but I’m really really a beginer, and just trying to learn things
Thank you very much and keep up the awesome work!
Ps. Sorry for my english…
Hello Luciano, Thank you for your comments. In my experience, a telephoto lens zoomed at 100mm won’t achieve the same result as a dedicated macro lens. I find I still need to be standing further from the subject with the telephoto lens, when compared to my macro. Although to be certain, this is a good idea for a new blog post. In the near future I’ll compare a telephoto lens zoomed at 100mm, and a dedicated macro lens to see for myself the results.
Kind Regards. Tanya.
Excellent site http://www.slrphotographyguide.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here: this .. as it’s taken me literally 2 hours and 15 minutes of searching the web to find you (just kidding!) so I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor
I am a photographer. I like micro photography. If u send me some tips, thats gonna be good for me
Thank for the infomation.. now whats the best word that U (Tanya Puntti) sugest to use? Macro Photography or Micro Photography? Which one the best?
tq.
re Shidee, use macro. Who cares about the little details as long as your enjoying your photography
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