EF-S 18-55mm lens: What does the "MACRO 0.25m/0.8ft" marking mean?

[rich25]

I just received a Canon EOS Rebel T7 2000D as an online purchase. The lens is marked as an EFS 18-55mm but is also marked as MACRO 0.25m/0.8ft. I'm new to this SLR/Digital stuff so need some coaching on what these numbers mean (in old man terms). Many thanks, Richard

[stevet1 · Accepted solution]

rich25,

The EFS means that the lens is designed for a crop sensor camera like your T7, so that's good.

The Macro .25m/0.8ft means that your minimum focusing distance is about 10 inches. If you try to get closer than that, your lens won't focus.

Steve Thomas

[Waddizzle · Accepted solution]

You have a variable focal length zoom lens.  

The “18-55mm” is the range of focal lengths that the lens can be adjusted.  A lens with a fixed focal length is referred to as a prime.  

The “macro….” Is describing the minimum focus distance.  These videos from Canon USA may help.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-znpQge8HwHTOCwSAo04osDXFZx54Bw&si=tkDX0hP4sCDLEDYH 

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-znpQge8HxrllwXwn9B0Xxf1f7BQnXC&si=BM0wQzJ4j9JPFOj5 

[deebatman316 · Accepted solution]

EF-S is a DSLR crop sensor only mount for Canon APS-C DSLRs. 18-55mm is the focal length of the lens. Since this is a zoom lens 18mm is the wide end of the zoom. Then 55mm is the long end of the lens. If the lens that came packaged with your camera is the EF-S 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 IS II lens then there are other stuff the lens contains. F/3.5-5.6 is the maximum aperture of the at a given focal length. This is a variable aperture lens. At 18mm F/3.5 is the widest possible aperture. At 55mm F/5.6 is the widest possible aperture. The next thing in the name is Image Stabilization or “IS”. This helps eliminate camera shake at longer focal lengths or in low lighting that requires a long shutter speed. “II” means that this is the 2nd generation of a given lens. There was another lens with that name. Canon’s higher end lenses will use faster AF motors. They’ll say USM or STM in the name. Your lens for instance uses Micro Motor. This AF motor is very slow and noisy. It has been discontinued by Canon. For example if a lens says “EF 70-200mm F/4L IS II USM”. You’ll know that the lens has a USM AF motor. This particular AF motor is know for fast AF. If a lens says “L” in the name this is a professional grade lens. Most EF Mount L series lenses come with USM AF motors. Canon made 3 different type of USM AF motors. Ring Type USM (original USM AF motor, released in 1987- Present), Micro USM (cheaper motor that uses gears, released in 1993-2008, no Full Time Manual Focus), Nano USM (released in 2016-Present, supports full time manual focus. STM, Ring Type & Nano USM lenses provide what’s called Full Time Manual Focus. This is accomplished 2 different ways either mechanically or electrically. STM & Nano USM lenses are focus-by-wire. The focus ring is NOT directly connected to the lens’ focusing system all its connected to is a digital encoder. Ring Type USM lenses use a clutch under the focus ring to provide full time manual focus. Note some specific Ring Type USM lenses are focus-by-wire. The focus rings on USM lenses that provide full time manual focus never spin when the AF motor is active. Micro USM lenses spin the focus ring when the AF motor is active. Never turn the focus ring on these lenses without setting the lens to manual focus first. The same goes for lenses with Micro Motor. Micro USM lenses are very easy to identify. They lack a focus distance scale and spin the focus ring when the AF motor is active. Nano USM lenses lack focus distance scales too but were released in 2016 or later and say Nano USM on them.

[rich25]

Thanks guys. I didn't word my question very well. I'm familiar with focal lengths but was confused by mention of "Macro" on the lens. Now I know. Cheers!

[rich25]

Thank you Demetrius. Your answer gave more than I bargained for and I shall now file it away for future reference. Many thanks, R25

[FloridaDrafter · Accepted solution]

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@rich25 wrote:

Thanks guys. I didn't word my question very well. I'm familiar with focal lengths but was confused by mention of "Macro" on the lens.

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The origins of the word "macro" is from Ancient Greek "makros" and means long or large. In photography, it typically refers to a lens that can focus on a subject and project at least a life size image on the sensor or film at the minimum focus distance (MFD) of the lens. This means a magnification of 1:1 or greater (2:1, 3:1, etc.). As digital photography and editing software has progressed, manufacturers have started to use the term "macro" a little more liberally and in a lot of cases, like with your lens, just means "closeup" or that it can focus closely. IIRC, your lens is 1:2.9 or a magnification of 0.34x. This isn't a bad thing, it just doesn't fall into the category that a lot of us would consider a true macro lens.

Be that as it may, a true macro lens is designed to correct certain distortions caused from shooting at higher magnification, can focus closer, and is typically more expensive because of the corrective elements used in lens construction. I won't go into the technical aspects that define a true macro lens, but if you wish, Wikipedia can give you that.

Newton

[rich25]

Thanks Steve. I had messed around with an SLR some 50 or so years ago and now trying to get back into the game. Seeing the term Macro on the lens through me but now with input from you and others here I'm slowly getting back in the game. Cheers! Rich

[normadel]

The word "Macro" is one of the most overused descriptors there is.  Strictly speaking, true macro is a 1:1 subject to image ratio, but lens makers call lenses "Macro" that are nowhere near 1:1 to make them sound good.

[rich25]

I'm beginning to see that as I crawl back into the game. Oh well. Cheers.