The word "macro" does not indicate small,
Even Nikon call their close-up lenses micro lenses,
So how did the word macro "develop" in photography?
Silly question, but I always get asked by non-photogs and I don't have a really good answer except, that is why Nikon called theirs "Micro"
Regards,
Gary
Why do we call close-up lenses Macro?
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See http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... =9658#9658 and the surrounding thread.
Very briefly, the term "macroscopic" was defined in comparison to "microscopic", to describe objects that could be seen by the naked eye but would typically be examined by a hand lens rather than a compound microscope of the types used in the late 1800's.
Nikon's use of "micro" to describe their close-focusing lenses has always struck me as a marketing ploy. It is not consistent with usage elsewhere in the community and I don't believe it has ever been a driver of word usage.
--Rik
Very briefly, the term "macroscopic" was defined in comparison to "microscopic", to describe objects that could be seen by the naked eye but would typically be examined by a hand lens rather than a compound microscope of the types used in the late 1800's.
Nikon's use of "micro" to describe their close-focusing lenses has always struck me as a marketing ploy. It is not consistent with usage elsewhere in the community and I don't believe it has ever been a driver of word usage.
--Rik
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Hard to say about that.MiniD3 wrote:What price should I out on this bet?
But see the thread HERE for much more discussion of the history and fine points.
--Rik
Re: Why do we call close-up lenses Macro?
Nikon called their earlier short-mount lenses for high magnification, with microscope threads, Macro-Nikkors. So as not to confuse they now call their 'regular' camera-mount lenses for up to 1x magn. Micro-Nikkors.MiniD3 wrote:The word "macro" does not indicate small,
Even Nikon call their close-up lenses micro lenses,
So how did the word macro "develop" in photography?
Silly question, but I always get asked by non-photogs and I don't have a really good answer except, that is why Nikon called theirs "Micro"
Regards,
Gary
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives