| Mach number: |
The ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound. Mach 1 is the speed of sound at sea level, ISA, approximately 1,100 feet per second or 760 mph. |
| Macro lens: |
A lens specially designed to give accurate resolution of a very close subject without the need for supplementary attachments. |
| Macrophotography: |
Photography which produces an image larger than the original subject size without the use of a microscope. |
| Magenta: |
The complimentary color to green. It is composed of blue and red light. |
| Magnetic heading: |
The direction in which the longitudinal axis of the airplane is pointing according to a magnetic compass. |
| magnetic variation: |
Difference between true north and magnetic north, varying with position; magnetic variation drifts with time. |
| Magneto: |
A small generator of alternating current with permanent magnets, used in the ignition system of most modern aircraft engines because it produces a hotter spark at high engine speeds than a typical automobile battery system, and it does not depend on an ex |
| Magnification: |
Is the size of the image relative to the size of the subject used to produce it. It is an expression of the ratio of the subject-lens distance to the image-lens distance. |
| Main gear: |
The landing gear underneath the fuselage of an aircraft |
| Manual Camera: |
A camera without autofocus capability. Automatic focus lenses can be used on a manual camera but will require focusing by hand. |
| Mat: |
An alternative term used for matte. Also describes the cardboard surround in a picture frame. |
| Matte: |
A term used to describe a non reflective, non-textured surface. |
| Matte field: |
A granular textured surface that disperses light in order to form a clear image. Used in the viewfinder optical system. |
| Media: |
Material that information is written to and stored on. Digital photography storage media includes CompactFlash cards and CDs. |
| Megabyte: |
A measurement of data storage equal to 1024 kilobytes (KB). |
| Megahertz: |
One million cycles per second, used especially as a radio frequency unit. |
| Megapixel: |
One million pixels |
| Memory Stick®: |
A memory card slightly smaller than a single stick of chewing gum. Like CompactFlash and SmartMedia, it is flash-based storage for your photos. |
| meridian: |
See longitude. |
| Meteorology: |
The study of the physics, chemistry, and dynamics of the atmosphere and the direct effects of the atmosphere upon the Earth's surface, the oceans, and life in general. |
| MHz: |
See megahertz |
| Micro lens: |
A lens for microscopic photography. Not to be confused with a Macro lens. |
| Micron (µ): |
One millionth of a meter. |
| Midtone: |
An area in a print or scene that contains average values. |
| Mike: |
Stands for the letter M in the phonetic alphabet. |
| Mirror Lens: |
A lens, which uses mirrors, as well as lens optics to control and focus an image. Usually a telephoto lens.
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| Mist: |
Consists of microscopic water droplets suspended in the air which produce a thin grayish veil over the landscape. It reduces visibility to a lesser extent than fog. |
| Mode: |
The prime operating function of SLR cameras, e.g. manual mode, aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode, etc. |
| Moisture: |
Refers to the water vapor content in the atmosphere, or the total water, liquid, solid or vapor, in a given volume of air. |
| Molecule: |
The absolute tiniest part of something, that can still be called by that name. For example, two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom make up one molecule of water. |
| Monochrome: |
Single colored. It is most frequently applied to black and white photographs, but can also describe sepia and other toned images. |
| Monoplane: |
An airplane with one set of wings. Most aircraft built today have only one set of wings and are classified as monoplanes. |
| Montage: |
A composite picture made from a number of photographs or images. |
| Motor drive: |
A device for automatically winding and rewinding the film in a camera. A motor drive can be adjusted to take individual shots or a series in quick succession |
| Mount: |
A frame and/or backing used to support and protect prints and transparencies. |
| Muggy: |
Colloquial description of warm and especially humid weather. |
| Multi-megapixel: |
An image or image sensor with over two million pixels. |
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