What are the typical uses for a macro lens?

A macro lens is specifically designed to focus on subjects at very close distances, allowing photographers to capture extreme close-up details of small objects such as insects, flowers, and textures. This capability to achieve high levels of detail is accomplished through a unique construction that enables a high reproduction ratio, meaning an object can be captured life-sized or larger on the camera's sensor.

Other choices pertain to different types of photography that require varying focal lengths and lens characteristics. Wide landscapes typically would call for a wide-angle lens to capture expansive views. Portrait photography often employs a lens that can create a shallow depth of field, which is generally not the strength of a macro lens focused on fine details. Lastly, nighttime photography often benefits from fast lenses with larger apertures to gather more light, while macro lenses may not perform as effectively in low light conditions due to their design focusing on near-subject details rather than overall scene illumination.