lenses

[koiman]

ok so I purchased the a350 sony dslr camera, I have also bought a 18 -70 lens. i'm looking at other lenses and stuff and keep seeing "macro" what does it mean ????

[Jumbuck]

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macro_lens

[fo3nix]

You sound like you're new to this kind of stuff.

If you're just getting into photography more seriously (i.e., SLR and not just point and shoot), then I'd recommend you go for the basic standard lens that the camera will come with (some prime fixed lens or similar, i.e., not a huge zoom).

You'll have more fun and learn more easily about depth of focus, properly setting up your photos (framing, etc.), that kind of thing.

There are several great books by Ansel Adams on this stuff, that will be available in your library. They're old, but most of the techniques he describes are still very much applicable today.

[paulthewall]

Macro means that it will allow you to focus on an object (ie a flower) at about 3 inches and have the majority of it in focus...that is, it is CLOSE-UP lens.
18-70 is really very wide angle through to modest telephoto for a 35 mm camera. It will probably not copewith either wonderfully well, and could be best described as a compromise. I have always gone for fixed focal length lenses, and you will find that these give by FAR the best results. The money is well spent. Go for good names like Zeiss Planar, Pentax, and so on. Ebay yields good results.
Ansell Adams was a fantastic photographer; he used large format cameras and slow, monochromiatic film. Your results are unlikely to parallel his. Lower your sights a little and borrow a book or two from the library.
Happy shooting

Paul the Wall