What does "macro" mean in regards to digital cameras?

Question

There's a button on my camera for "macro" and I have no idea what it does...

Answer 1

Macro mode is used for extremely close close ups. It switches the camera into a special close focus mode. When I say close up I mean really close up, a subject of around 10cm away is usually considered a distance to use macro mode in.

Answer 2

Hi BBB, In Photography aperture is a term that describes the diameter of the opening in a lens, generally called the "F stop". It is usually variable by changing the "f number" setting and is one of the three major controls used to regulate the amount of light that reaches the image sensor. ISO and shutter speed are the other major variables. On many cameras it is set automatically but on advanced models there are usually ways to set the aperture and other exposure controls manually or semi automatically. The aperture/f number is used because it gives a consistent way to define the light gathering capability of lenses with many different focal lengths (magnification). Generally speaking the possible f numbers for a lens design run from 1 ~ 90 but for practical reasons a typical range for a basic lens would be about f/4.0~f/11 for consumer "point & shoot" cameras with a built in lens. For cameras with interchangeable lenses the range may be greater but will be unique to each lens design. Photographic lenses are generally designated by the maximum size aperture possible in the lens design. The number is calculated as a ratio by taking the length of the lens and dividing it by the diameter of the opening so a smaller number means that the lens will allow more light to pass while a larger number means less light will pass. I have never seen any f/1.0 lens design, which would be a lens with a diameter as great as it is long, a lens like that would be awkward to handle and manipulate. Likewise, it is uncommon to see compact lenses such as those designed for digital cameras using apertures smaller than about f/16 or f/22 because smaller openings would be approaching the diameter of the tip of a ball point pen. It is mechanically difficult to manufacture lenses with apertures that small. Here is a list of the "standard" f/numbers used from 1.0 ~ 90 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 5.6 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 32 | 45 | 64 | 90 Each number represents twice as much light coming through the lens as the next higher number. By convention the decimal point is usually dropped beyond f/5.6 because any errors from rounding to whole numbers is negligible. Also note that every other number is doubled, this is a reflection of the mathematical relationship between the optics and the physical properties of light. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Macro in any camera means that the lens can be adjusted to magnify images in closeups. If you want to take a picture of a flower or a piece of jewelry that is a useful option to have.

Answer 4

Like the others have said, it's an automatic setting that allows you to take close-up pictures. Consult your camera's manual, because focusing length ranges from camera to camera. Mine won't focus closer than 11 inches, for example.

Answer 5

like what most others have mentioned, it is for close-up shots of flowers, insects and other small objects. the camera automatically focuses on the subject in the center focus area. tripod is recommended to prevent blurred shots.

with high resolution cameras, you will be amazed at the results of well taken close-up photography, especially those of plants and insects :)

Answer 6

It enables the camera to take detailed pictures of objects that are less than six to ten inches away from the lens without distorting the photo.

Answer 7

Really up close photography. Like photographing a bug or flower up close and personal.