Whats the difference between macro and kit lens

[Kbarredo]

So for example if there was a 60mm regular lens what is the difference between that and a 60mm micro nikon lens. does it have more magnification, im not sure. Can i still take portraits with a macro lens.

 

[iolair]

Lenses normally carry the "macro" label if you can focus very close up to your subject.

A lens is a "true macro" lens if you can focus close enough that you get 1:1 or better magnification - the size of the image projected onto the sensor is the same as the size of the actual object. So, if you're on a full-frame camera with a "true macro" lens close-up, an object 36mm wide would fill up the entire width of your image.

 

[MissCream]

My Macro lens has a switch on the side of it for 'Full" and "Limit", I use it for portraits all the time, it's my favorite lens

 

[iolair]

Oh, and you can absolutely still take portraits with a macro lens ... they tend to be very sharp and still work for distance photography.

 

[Overread]

The typical differences between a macro lens and a regular lens of the same focal length:

1) Macro lenses tend to be f2.8 or sometimes f2 (some of the longer ones are f3.5 as well) in their max aperture; whilst similar prime lenses will often offer a wider max aperture. This of course varies as the focal lengths increase - so whilst at 50mm you can get f1.4 lenses out at 100mm and longer your into the similar f2 range.

2) Regular lenses will typically have a much faster AF motor. Macro lenses tend to do poorly AF speed wise against regular lenses, even when using the focus limiting switches to disable the close up distances the macro lens will still generally be slower. For macro work this is generally never a problem since its mostly done in manual focusing mode.

3) A less fine long distance focusing control; whilst macro lenses have a very fine control of their close focusing distances, at further off subjects they tend to have a very short turn on the focus wheel for a big shift in the focus. This can make manual focusing them at longer distances (ie past the 1:2 macro point) a lot harder than with regular lenses because even a tiny motion on the wheel gives a much bigger shift in the focus.

 

[Kbarredo]

So basically it allows you to focus on things that are very close to the lens. Ive always wondered that everytime i try to get close up shots of flowers i always end up not being able to turn the wheel far enough to focus.

 

[Dao]

Also, a macro lens usually give a flat field (min distortion) at the min. focus distance.

 

[Ron Evers]

You can take macro pics with a normal lens with the use of extension tubes between the camera body & the lens.