Macro photography opens a whole new world by looking at the intricate details of small subjects. To capture the details with sharp precision, it's important to have the right camera lens. In this blog post, we recap the top 5 lenses for macro photography in 2023. Regardless of your experience with macro photography, there's a lens right for you.
What is macro photography?
Macro photography lets you capture really close-up images of small subjects. It often lets you see stunning details missed by the human eye. You can discover different textures, insects, flowers and more with the power of a macro lens. To learn more about macro photography, read our article What is Macro Photography on the Camera House blog.
What are the different types of lenses that can be used for macro photography?
There are a number of different macro lenses that can help you achieve sharp results. Here are the main ones:
- Dedicated Macro Lens: These lenses are specifically designed for close-up photography, offering a high level of magnification. Macro lenses tend to have a fixed focal length which allows users to capture intricate details with amazing clarity. Learn more by reading our blog post What is a Macro Lens Used For.
- Zoom Lens with Macro Capability: There is a range of zoom lenses that offer macro capabilities while providing versatility. While they aren’t as powerful as a macro lens, they can still offer impressive close-up shots. Check out our blog Zoom Lens vs Macro Lens to learn more.
- Specialty Lenses: There are a number of different specialty lenses that offer unique macro capabilities. A tilt-shift lens is a perfect example that allows you to tilt and shift the focal plane, which gives you control of the depth of field. Read our blog post Macro Images to understand more about the creative possibilities of macro photography.
What are the best camera lenses for macro photography?
There are a range of camera lenses to suit every budget and experience level. We’ve outlined the top five macro lenses for 2023 below.
Canon f/2.8 65mm 1-5x Macro Photo Lens
The Canon f/2.8 65mm 1-5x Macro Photo Lens offers impressive features. One ultra-low dispersion element helps to control colour fringing and chromatic aberrations for exceptional clarity and colour accuracy, while the lens's distinctive design, which is only intended for macro applications, uses a floating elements system to preserve quality across the focusing range.
Nikon Nikkor Z 105mm Macro f/2.8 VR S Lens
With the Nikkor Z 105mm Macro f/2.8 VR S Lens, you can capture those extraordinary moments. The revolutionary optical lens maximises its potential for performance and enhanced rendering abilities by being able to shoot at life-size. Through the use of ED lens elements that suppress chromatic aberration and an aspherical lens element.
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko ED 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO Lens
Utilise the OM SYSTEM M.ZUIKO Digital ED 90MM F3.5 Macro IS PRO lens for excellent photography. This lens has a seven-bladed circular aperture diaphragm and an aperture range of f/22 at the least and f/3.5 at the maximum. This lens' 18 elements are organised into 12 groups, giving users crisp, lovely macro photographs. Additionally, it has a fantastic 1x image magnification capability.
Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS Lens
A 16-element, 13-group L-mount lens, the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS Lens has two aspherical extra-low dispersion lens elements, two aspherical lenses, an ultra-extra-low dispersion lens, and two extra-low dispersion lens elements. It has an aperture range of f/22 to f/4.0 and a circular aperture diaphragm with nine blades.
Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
This Sony lens is renowned as one of the best macro lenses available. It provides a reliable 1:1 magnification ratio. With the characteristics this incredible lens offers, getting up close and personal with your subjects is now possible when using the Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens! This lens, which is a member of Sony's G series, can balance out sharpness and bokeh since it has unique characteristics in its optical construction.
How do I choose the right lens for my camera and shooting style?
When considering what macro lens is best for you, it’s important to consider your budget, preferred focal length, and desired aperture. While dedicated macro lenses offer incredible image quality and impressive magnification, they aren’t as versatile as other lenses. For beginners, or photographers who aren’t just shooting in a macro format, a zoom lens may be a better investment. Consider what subjects you want to shoot, your style, and budget to make an informed decision.
What are some tips for getting the best results when shooting macro photography?
There are some simple actions you can take to make sure you get wonderful macro shots every time. The first simple trick is to keep the camera steady by utilising a tripod. This will prevent any camera shake and result in crisp and clear images. Read our blog post, Tricks of the Tripod to learn more.
Your settings play a big role in how your photographs turn out. It's best to spend some time adjusting the settings such as aperture, ISO and shutter speeds to see what works best for your conditions. On the Camera House blog our posts Understanding Aperture, Confused About ISO, and Shutter Speeds Explained are great places to start.
Shop the best macro lenses at Camera House
Take advantage of Camera House’s knowledgeable staff in-store and online and ask them which macro lenses are right for you. Check out our shipping information online and enjoy flat-rate delivery Australia-wide, or check out our store locator to visit a Camera House store near you.
