whats the difference between a macro lens and a telephoto lens?

Answer 1

The technical definitions:

A macro lens is a lens which creates an image on the film that is as large or larger than the actual size of the subject.

A telephoto lens is a lens whose focal length is longer than the film-plane to front-element distance.

The common usage of both of these terms is technically incorrect.

The common usage of Macro Lens is a lens which is used to take close-up photographs regardless of the film-image to subject-image size ratio.

The common usage of Telephoto Lens is any lens over approximately 55mm.

Answer 2

Although both may have the same focal length, a macro lens is capable of focussing on very close objects, perhaps a inch or so away from the lens, while a telephoto will not typically focus closer than 8 or 10 feet. A macro lens may also be arranged so that when focussed close, distortions are minimized. Getting very close with a conventional lens often results in optical distortions that make faces look flat, etc. etc.

Answer 3

The answers above are all correct, but here's a photo to defy the definitions. It looks like macro photography, but it is taken with the 200 mm end of the 18-200 mm Nikon lens from about 2 feet from the subject. The maximum magnification on this lens is 1:4.5. A so-called "true macro" will focus to a 1:1 ratio and that was always the standard as to whether you could call a lens a "macro" lens or not. I see many lenses called "macro" that go down to a 1:2 ratio, which is indeed quite a bit of magnification.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7189769@N04/408446616/

Answer 4

A macro lens is for shooting stuff within arms reach. Flowers, insects, jewelery, etc.
A telephoto lens is for shooting stuff from a (great) distance. Sports, details in landscapes, etc.

Answer 5

Macro is for extreme closeups and telephoto is used for objects far away

Answer 6

macro is for very close close shots

telephoto is a zoom lens for distant objects