Why is the term 'macro' used for lenses that get up close and effectivly...

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Inspire

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...'magnify' the subject? Because micro means small and macro means big. I thought micro would have been the more logical word. Or was the macro lens named for the fact that it produces a larger image?
 
Actually, a macro lens doesn't "magnify" the subject. It simply renders it as life-size on the film or sensor.

However, Canon does offer the MP-E 65mm f2.8 1-5X macro lens which does magnify the subject from 1 to 5 times. With this lens you can fill a 35mm film frame (24mmx36mm) or full-frame (24mmx36mm) sensor with a grain of rice. This lens is the exception, not the rule.
 
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