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Which camera should I buy?
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How to guarantee the iPhone 13 Pro’s macro mode is on
iOS 15.1 makes it different, not necessarily better.
One of the smart things Sony did in the beginning was to enlist Zeiss and others in partnership or collaboration with them to bring out lenses right from the get-go while Sony was still in the process of developing their mirrorless line.
And, yes, now Sony has a good selection of lenses that they have manufactured themselves and these lenses fill most users' needs, whether APS-C or FF. And, yes, many of these lenses are expensive, but IMHO they are worth it. One does need to think through whether or not and how a particular lens choice will bring to the photographer's table something that maybe they could not achieve with a different, perhaps slower and less expensive lens by the same manufacturer or a different, less expensive lens made by a third party.
Actually, all the major manufacturers these days seem to come out with some pretty outstanding lenses, and no, they aren't inexpensive, many them are $$$$$, but in the end they fill someone's need, and that benefits all photographers significantly.
I haven't tried any of the GMs, but the 55mm Zeiss Sonnar is very reasonably priced for its performance in my opinion.
I've shot some pretty decent closeups with my iPhones in the past, including the most current one I have, which is the iPhone 12 Pro. The reality for me, though, is that if I am going to shoot a serious macro I am going to use serious equipment, and that means getting out one of my Sony FF bodies and putting one of my dedicated macro lenses on it.
Hmm, some opinions expressed here are clearly based on limited experience and knowledge. While it is perfectly OK to have limited experience and knowledge, and have opinions, this does not mean they are very valid or useful.
Although I like to think I am pretty smart at what I do, I am currently working with two people that are in the National Academy of Engineering, which is a little humbling, as well as exciting. The more you know, the more you realize what you don't know.
Although I like to think I am pretty smart at what I do, I am currently working with two people that are in the National Academy of Engineering, which is a little humbling, as well as exciting. The more you know, the more you realize what you don't know.
The GM lenses are in a class of their own but the regular G lenses aren't anything at which to sneeze, either! They're brilliant, too, and you would have a hard time taking my beloved 90mm G macro lens away from me!
Zeiss lenses are terrific, really impressive. My first experience with them was with the excellent Enthusiasts' Compact camera, which goes way beyond being a mere P&S -- the RX100 series -- and later the remarkable RX10 IV bridge camera. Even now I am still astonished at times at what the RX10 IV can produce, even with its tiny 1" sensor.
During my NEX-7 days I had three APS-C lenses and I think two of them were Zeiss. I remember that I kept thinking about buying more lenses, Zeiss ones, for that camera but never did. Then I went through a period of not shooting much of anything at all, and by the time I emerged from that, FF mirrorless and lenses were the way to go. At that point I was evaluating which brand, which FF body and which lenses would work best for the way I like to shoot. So two years into this now, I'm more than happy with my Sony gear and this lens evaluation and purchase process is still a work in progress, but I can say that the GM lenses I've used and have purchased are absolutely outstanding and well worth the money.
No you did not. Macro mode is not a mode or option on pre iPhone 13 pro models. Your iPhone 11 Pro lacks it.
Complete Guide to Macro Photography for Beginners
To learn macro photography from start to finish, you should begin by reading the tips and techniques in this guide, taught by an award-winning macro photographer exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
photographylife.com
Most photographers don't mess with "macro mode." They're beyond that, way beyond it. "Macro mode" is something on P&S cameras and now recently Apple has introduced it to the iPhone. "Macro mode" is not generally an entity on a DSLR (except maybe in the basic entry-level ones, which, if I recall correctly, do have something called "scene mode.") or a mirrorless ILC. Photographers use actual separate macro lenses that fit on their interchangeable lens cameras (ILC), whether DSLR or Mirrorless.
The way I'm interpreting this is that the OP who started this thread is interested in using an actual camera rather than an iPhone. From the sound of it he is also not interested in a P&S. He is looking for a camera (more than likely ILC) with which he can grow and learn in his skills. Yapping about P&S and their "scene mode" which includes one for macro, and bringing up "macro mode" on iPhones is not relevant to this particular thread. It's way off-topic and isn't doing the OP any favors at all.
The way I'm interpreting this is that the OP who started this thread is interested in using an actual camera rather than an iPhone. From the sound of it he is also not interested in a P&S. He is looking for a camera (more than likely ILC) with which he can grow and learn in his skills. Yapping about P&S and their "scene mode" which includes one for macro, and bringing up "macro mode" on iPhones is not relevant to this particular thread. It's way off-topic and isn't doing the OP any favors at all.
Most cellphones may not have a macro option, but you still can take macro shots. First you will have to prevent the phone from moving or shaking, then zoom in as far as you need, and take the photo. I took a photo of a small dragonfly that was sitting on my lap, and you can even see the cotton fibers of the pants I was wearing. If you need to read the extremely small typeset or fonts on a label, one that you can't see clearly with your own eyes, you can use the cellphone camera just like a spyglass or magnifier. You can also use macro lenses that are designed for cellphone cameras, if you like, but the existing lens can be used to take macro shots. You can also use your powershot camera for macro photography (look at some of the gear Lord V has used to take macro shots)
digital-photography-school.com
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On another subject: most lens makers produce macro lenses, but in addition to these "macro lenses" some of the lenses produced allow for macro photography, and the "macro" feature is printed on the lens barrel. So:
a. A dedicated "macro lens" can be used for taking macro shots or non-macro shots.
b. All lenses can be used for close-up or macro shots to a point, even if they aren't "macro lenses." I remember attaching macro lenses to the lenses of my film cameras. These lenses had one element, just like a lens filter, and were sold with different magnifications.
I took this and other photos with a Canon RF 100-500 zoom lens. While it is not a highly magnified macro shot, it still falls into the macro photography arena. The lens was set to 500mm, camera on a tripod, and somewhere at 3-feet of distance from the flower, and from the water droplets:
How to Capture Stunning Macro Photos With Your Phone
You don't need a lot of expensive gear to do macro photography. Discover how to capture stunning macro shots using your smartphone!
On another subject: most lens makers produce macro lenses, but in addition to these "macro lenses" some of the lenses produced allow for macro photography, and the "macro" feature is printed on the lens barrel. So:
a. A dedicated "macro lens" can be used for taking macro shots or non-macro shots.
b. All lenses can be used for close-up or macro shots to a point, even if they aren't "macro lenses." I remember attaching macro lenses to the lenses of my film cameras. These lenses had one element, just like a lens filter, and were sold with different magnifications.
I took this and other photos with a Canon RF 100-500 zoom lens. While it is not a highly magnified macro shot, it still falls into the macro photography arena. The lens was set to 500mm, camera on a tripod, and somewhere at 3-feet of distance from the flower, and from the water droplets:
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Most cellphones may not have a macro option, but you still can take macro shots. First you will have to prevent the phone from moving or shaking, then zoom in as far as you need, and take the photo. I took a photo of a small dragonfly that was sitting on my lap, and you can even see the cotton fibers of the pants I was wearing. If you need to read the extremely small typeset or fonts on a label, one that you can't see clearly with your own eyes, you can use the cellphone camera just like a spyglass or magnifier. You can also use macro lenses that are designed for cellphone cameras, if you like, but the existing lens can be used to take macro shots. You can also use your powershot camera for macro photography (look at some of the gear Lord V has used to take macro shots)
-------------------How to Capture Stunning Macro Photos With Your Phone
You don't need a lot of expensive gear to do macro photography. Discover how to capture stunning macro shots using your smartphone!
On another subject: most lens makers produce macro lenses, but in addition to these "macro lenses" some of the lenses produced allow for macro photography, and the "macro" feature is printed on the lens barrel. So:
a. A dedicated "macro lens" can be used for taking macro shots or non-macro shots.
b. All lenses can be used for close-up or macro shots to a point, even if they aren't "macro lenses." I remember attaching macro lenses to the lenses of my film cameras. These lenses had one element, just like a lens filter, and were sold with different magnifications.
I took this and other photos with a Canon RF 100-500 zoom lens. While it is not a highly magnified macro shot, it still falls into the macro photography arena. The lens was set to 500mm, camera on a tripod, and somewhere at 3-feet of distance from the flower, and from the water droplets:
I stand corrected.
For what it's worth I been a Nikon shooter for 40+ years (boy am I old). Nikons have 2 Micro lens. So I guess I can't shoot macro.?
Yes! I use my PL100-400 for macro as well. I like to call it my lazy macro lens, where I don’t have to bend down and get close to the subject!Most cellphones may not have a macro option, but you still can take macro shots. First you will have to prevent the phone from moving or shaking, then zoom in as far as you need, and take the photo. I took a photo of a small dragonfly that was sitting on my lap, and you can even see the cotton fibers of the pants I was wearing. If you need to read the extremely small typeset or fonts on a label, one that you can't see clearly with your own eyes, you can use the cellphone camera just like a spyglass or magnifier. You can also use macro lenses that are designed for cellphone cameras, if you like, but the existing lens can be used to take macro shots. You can also use your powershot camera for macro photography (look at some of the gear Lord V has used to take macro shots)
-------------------How to Capture Stunning Macro Photos With Your Phone
You don't need a lot of expensive gear to do macro photography. Discover how to capture stunning macro shots using your smartphone!
On another subject: most lens makers produce macro lenses, but in addition to these "macro lenses" some of the lenses produced allow for macro photography, and the "macro" feature is printed on the lens barrel. So:
a. A dedicated "macro lens" can be used for taking macro shots or non-macro shots.
b. All lenses can be used for close-up or macro shots to a point, even if they aren't "macro lenses." I remember attaching macro lenses to the lenses of my film cameras. These lenses had one element, just like a lens filter, and were sold with different magnifications.
I took this and other photos with a Canon RF 100-500 zoom lens. While it is not a highly magnified macro shot, it still falls into the macro photography arena. The lens was set to 500mm, camera on a tripod, and somewhere at 3-feet of distance from the flower, and from the water droplets:
Also like you said, some general purpose lenses are capable of macro, they just need a really short minimum focus distance. This was with the PL12-60, which can get within 8” of the subject.
At times I have used my RX10 IV at its full telephoto length as a "closeup lens," getting closeups of flowers and such from a distance. Ditto with my 100-400 on the A7R IV and A1. Works a treat, actually! Sometimes shooting a closeup with a long lens can be very beneficial in that it nicely blurs the background plus it also gets the entire subject in focus, so no need for focus-stacking the way people often do with an actual macro lens.
Outstanding!Yes! I use my PL100-400 for macro as well. I like to call it my lazy macro lens, where I don’t have to bend down and get close to the subject!
View attachment 1914611
Also like you said, some general purpose lenses are capable of macro, they just need a really short minimum focus distance. This was with the PL12-60, which can get within 8” of the subject.
View attachment 1914612
Macro photography is a fun and challenging subject and lots of fun to do, so hopefully we will see some images from you soon. Feel free to ask lots of questions because there are some great macro photographers here who would love to help.
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