Macro Lens VS Telephoto Lens..

[!GoJo!]

Hello, i was wondering how does a telephoto lens work, is that like a macro lens (need to zoom in) or you can use your camera in any settings, as if the lens wasn't there?

 

[David Wrench]

A telephoto lens brings distant objects closer, like looking through a telescope. A macro lens is designed to focus on small objects that are very close to the camera (actually the sensor). Technically, a macro lens should be able to resolve an image on the sensor that is the same size as the subject, though most people don't insist on so rigorous a requirement. Most macro lenses are also short telephoto lenses, and can be used as such.

I don't really understand the last bit of your question. If a lens is made for the camera (or cameras with the same lens mount) it will usually allow any, or most, modes to be used. If it isn't, some or all the functions (such as autofocus) will probably be lost. Many people use lenses (especially macro lenses) with adaptors for their cameras, and focus manually.

David

 

[chuxter]

Hello, i was wondering how does a telephoto lens work, is that like a macro lens (need to zoom in) or you can use your camera in any settings, as if the lens wasn't there?

I looked at some of your other posts and it's obvious that you need an education. Let's start w/ a few terms:

Telephoto [lens]…A lens w/ a long focal length. It gives a narrow FoV and a “magnified” image when compared w/ “normal” FL lenses.

Zoom [lens]…A term that means a variable focal length; thus, the FL of the lens can be changed by moving optical elements inside the lens.

Zoom [digital]…A term that means the camera can electronically crop an image to make it appear larger, but w/ less resolution.

Macro…A term denoting a magnification ratio close to 1:1. Often used loosely to mean "close-focusing”.

Macro [lens]…A lens that can be focused closely, often to produce a 1:1 image size.

Note that there are MANY lenses termed "macro" but which are not true macro lenses. Like many words, when the marketeers decide they help sell a product, they have no qualms about sticking them on that product.

The terms "Zoom" and "Macro" are not related. They mean different things. It's possible for a lens to be both "Macro" and "Zoom" [but not many such lenses exist] or neither [this is true of most lenses].

I too have no clue what you are trying to ask when you write, "...or you can use your camera in any settings, as if the lens wasn't there?"

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

Hello, i was wondering how does a telephoto lens work, is that like a macro lens (need to zoom in) or you can use your camera in any settings, as if the lens wasn't there?

I looked at some of your other posts and it's obvious that you need an education. Let's start w/ a few terms:

Telephoto [lens]…A lens w/ a long focal length. It gives a narrow FoV and a “magnified” image when compared w/ “normal” FL lenses.

This is near enough for an absolute beginner, but for anyone else reading it's worth noting that a lens can have a long focal length and not be telephoto. That's because, strictly speaking, a telephoto lens uses internal optics to make it physically shorter than its focal length https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephoto_lens

 

[Klaus dk]

The OP asked another question that clarifies what he is actually asking.

To the OP:

The macro screw-in lens you mention in your other post is sometimes recommended for people who want to try macro photography, but don't want to use the money a real macro lens costs until they have tried something more affordable.

Such additional lenses to be mounted in front of the camera lens are generally used with fixed-lens cameras, and the answers you had until now concerns the lenses you would use with a camera that uses interchangeable lenses.

B&H clarifies that the Raynox QC-180 you mention should be mounted when the zoom lens on your camera is at it longest.

You need to understand that this kind of extra lens will give you a magnification of all the errors already present in the lens on the camera, plus a few more.

There's a reason it sells for USD 23: it is not worth any more - IMHO worthless. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

To get answers from experienced users, ask you question in one of the forums dealing with your type of camera - if you kept the Sony Cyber-shot SH20V you talked about in a previous post, the Sony Cyber-shot forum would be the place to go. Most of the enthusiasts answering questions here are more into interchangeable-lens cameras like MILCs or DSLRs.

 

[chuxter]

Hello, i was wondering how does a telephoto lens work, is that like a macro lens (need to zoom in) or you can use your camera in any settings, as if the lens wasn't there?

I looked at some of your other posts and it's obvious that you need an education. Let's start w/ a few terms:

Telephoto [lens]…A lens w/ a long focal length. It gives a narrow FoV and a “magnified” image when compared w/ “normal” FL lenses.

This is near enough for an absolute beginner, but for anyone else reading it's worth noting that a lens can have a long focal length and not be telephoto. That's because, strictly speaking, a telephoto lens uses internal optics to make it physically shorterthan its focal length https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephoto_lens

I agree. I thought that was too pedantic for this OP. But it's good for others who might be interested.

Like most English words, it has multiple meanings. The common meaning is as I stated.

The more technical meaning is almost lost to history. That Wikipedia article suggests that the correct term to use would be "long-focus lenses" although I find that confusing. Would not "long focal length lenses" be the more correct term? Whatever. NOBODY uses those terms. This is mostly because all lenses that are commercially available for photography are of the "telephoto" design.

The Wikipedia article had a picture of a non-telephoto long focal length lens. I could not ID it, so I did a search on images.google.com. It is a Samyang 500mm f/8.0 Telephoto lens with extension tube. I looked for it and found it on B&H. It is a T-mount lens that is NLA. The same lens is available as a Rokinon brand from Adorama for $99.

Even though it is not of a "telephoto" design, both B&H and Adorama use the word "telephoto" in their ad. That is my point. The term is sorta meaningless.

I wonder why the author of the Wikipedia article added an extension tube? Probably to make it look even longer than it is?

 

[D Cox]

The OP asked another question that clarifies what he is actually asking.

To the OP:

The macro screw-in lens you mention in your other post is sometimes recommended for people who want to try macro photography, but don't want to use the money a real macro lens costs until they have tried something more affordable.

Such additional lenses to be mounted in front of the camera lens are generally used with fixed-lens cameras, and the answers you had until now concerns the lenses you would use with a camera that uses interchangeable lenses.

B&H clarifies that the Raynox QC-180 you mention should be mounted when the zoom lens on your camera is at it longest.

This is an add-on lens to make a kit lens act like a tele lens. The combination is not a real telephoto lens but is probably worth trying at the price.

I have not tried one so cannot comment on the quality. It is mainly for use by people with cameras whose lenses are non-interchangeable, as on most point-and-shoot models or budget camcorders.

You need to understand that this kind of extra lens will give you a magnification of all the errors already present in the lens on the camera, plus a few more.

There's a reason it sells for USD 23: it is not worth any more - IMHO worthless. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

To get answers from experienced users, ask you question in one of the forums dealing with your type of camera - if you kept the Sony Cyber-shot SH20V you talked about in a previous post, the Sony Cyber-shot forum would be the place to go. Most of the enthusiasts answering questions here are more into interchangeable-lens cameras like MILCs or DSLRs.

The Raynox 150 and 250 add-on lenses convert a kit (or fixed) camera lens into a macro lens. They are what are called "close-up attachment lenses". Results from these can be very good.

I have used them and would recommend them.

With either of these types of lens you use the camera as normal. Auto-focus may be slow with the macro add-ons.

 

[!GoJo!]

Thanks for all the answers. "B&H clarifies that the Raynox QC-180 you mention should be mounted when the zoom lens on your camera is at it longest" hmm i see, so if you use it @minimum zoom, it'll be kind of blurry i guess?

 

[Klaus dk]

Thanks for all the answers. "B&H clarifies that the Raynox QC-180 you mention should be mounted when the zoom lens on your camera is at it longest" hmm i see, so if you use it @minimum zoom, it'll be kind of blurry i guess?

I would rather think you would get dark corners.

There is not much point in adding a 1.8x magnification to the wide end of a zoom.

Please update your gear list to reflect what camera we are talking about.

 

[Gerry Winterbourne]

Thanks for all the answers. "B&H clarifies that the Raynox QC-180 you mention should be mounted when the zoom lens on your camera is at it longest" hmm i see, so if you use it @minimum zoom, it'll be kind of blurry i guess?

The purpose of the filter is to increase the effective FL of the lens. The best way to increase the FL of a zoom lens is to zoom out, so doing it with another piece of glass is cumbersome and unnecessary. And, yes, as stated in earlier posts here, that extra piece of glass will make the images softer.

 

[!GoJo!]

I have the HX20V but i'll purchase (again) the RX100 soon.