Over the past couple of years there has been an upsurge of interest in macro photography, with many macro competitions and more photographers choosing to shoot close-up subjects. To help you to make the best choice from the array of available macro lenses, we’ve compiled our top recommendations for the best value macro lenses on the market…
If you want to shoot stunning, frame-filling shots of small subjects then you’ll need to add a macro lens to your kit bag. But where do you start when choosing a macro lens?
How to choose a macro lens
A true macro lens should give you a 1:1 reproduction ratio of the subject in your photograph, so, ideally, you’ll need to be looking for a lens that allows you to do that.
In other words, if your subject, say a flower, is 15mm wide you’ll want it to appear 15mm long on the imaging sensor of your camera.
Always check the reproduction ratio when buying a macro lens to make sure you have at least 1:1 ratio. Some lenses do go beyond this and offer ratios of 2:1 or more.
Most macro lenses have focal lengths of 100mm or under and typically have maximum apertures of around f/2.8.
Often an aperture of around f/2.8 will help for shooting macro if you want to have a shallow depth-of-field and effectively isolate the main subject from its background.
If you deliberately want to keep more of the background in focus you’ll want the option of a lens that offers you different aperture settings, say of f/16 or f/22.
Also, consider whether you want an autofocus lens or a manual focus lens.
Most AF systems in cameras are now incredibly sophisticated at recognising and tracking subjects, even when hand-holding a camera.
However, in a more controlled environment with a tripod, you might want to have the flexibility of manually focusing.
Whatever your criteria for choosing a macro lens, we’ve scoured our tests reports and the market to bring you the best value macro lenses.
Our recommendations
Some specialist macro optics can be expensive, but we’ve rounded up the best value macro lenses on the market so that you can shoot close-up imagery without breaking the bank.
So, without further ado, here is our expert selection of the current best value macro lenses on the market…
Laowa CF 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro Lens
Price: £409
Rather than being content offering the standard 1:1 magnification, this lens offers 2:1 magnification, letting you get even closer to your subject. Whilst some specialist ultra macro lenses only offer close-up focus, this one can still focus to infinity. The lens has a manual aperture ring, and you’ll need to get used to using manual controls, as the lens does not have an electronic connection to the camera.
This manual focus lens, designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, is available in Sony E-Mount, as well as Fujifilm X-Mount, and weighs just 335g.
What we like
- Impressive magnification available
- Excellent image quality
- Relatively small and lightweight
Read our Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro Review
Canon EF-M 28mm f3.5 Macro IS STM
Price: £294
Canon’s range of small mirrorless cameras are often under-rated and one of the best lenses available for cameras like the M50, M50 II and M6 Mark II is the f3.5 aperture 28mm macro lens, that converts to 45mm with the APS-C crop factor.
Now, this optic is special because it comes with a twist, featuring a unique party piece in the shape of a ring of LEDs around the front element. This genius feature banishes shadows that can often be a challenge when a lens is used to close to a subject.
Better still, the optic, which has a 1.2:1 magnification ratio, comes in at just under £300, which is great value-for-money. With a compact, portable design, the 28mm Macro tips the scales at just 130g, so it won’t even take up too much room in your kit bag.
What we like
- Unique LED ring lights
- Compact dimensions
- Lightweight
Read our Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Review
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
Price: £699
Sigma’s Art series of lenses has drawn great acclaim and the 2021-released 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art raises the bar even further. Built for Sony E-mount and L-mount cameras (Panasonic full-frame, Sigma and Leica), this lens is a little weighty at 715g, but is all about one thing – premium image quality that will find appeal from professional image makers who make their living with a camera. With this in mind, the £699 price-tag, while more expensive than many others in this shortlist, is actually incredibly good value-for-money when compared to rival optics.
Benefitting from a high level of weather sealing that resists dust and moisture, the lens features a focus limiter and an aperture de-click switch, which widens the lens’ appeal to videographers who want to capture close up footage but want to be able to adjust the exposure during the take with recording any clicks from the lens.
What we like
- Premium image quality
- Weather sealing
- De-click aperture switch
Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 MACRO VC
Price: £649
Tamron has a long history in making great macro lenses and the SP 90mm is no different. A high-performance all-rounder that boasts a number of key functions that will make a real difference out in the field, the build of the lens features weather sealing to keep out moisture and dust, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry using this lens in harsh conditions.
The front element of the lens benefits from a fluorine coating that helps repel water and oil, and the build of the lens is backed up by a five-year warranty. The SP 90mm, which comes in fitments for most DSLRs includes Tamron’s VC (Vibration Compensation) technology, which will help keep shots steady. You may need to track one of these second-hand as these sometimes can be hard to find.
What we like
- Impressive build quality
- Credible warranty
- Decent price-tag
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
Price: £449
Photographers using Micro Four-Thirds cameras such as the Olympus E-M1 Mark III or the Panasonic GH5 have an integrated advantage when it comes to shooting macro imagery. That’s because the sensor in their cameras features a 2x crop, doubling the effective focal length of a lens, meaning the optics can be smaller, lighter and more affordable.
This is the case with the ED 60mm f2.8 Macro, which, of course, gives an effective focal length of 120mm and tips the scales at just 185g. With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, the lens can also be used to capture portraits with a shallow depth-of-field and the optic can focus as close as 19cm away from a subject.
Also consider, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 30mm f/3.5 lens with 1.25x magnification, available from around £215, or the Panasonic Lumix G 30mm f/2.8 lens for around £269.
What we like
- Lightweight and portable
- Fast maximum aperture
- Weather sealing
Read our Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses in 2022 Round-up
Samyang 100mm f2.8 ED UMC Macro Lens
Price: £409
A lot of photographers prefer to use manual focus when capturing close up imagery, so it makes sense to save some budget and select a manual focus lens instead. One such example is the Samyang 100mm f2.8 ED UMC Macro, which is available in a large number of mount fits including Canon EF, Pentax K, Canon M and Fujifilm X.
While autofocus is missing from the lens, there’s plenty of other features, including the presence of a ‘15 lenses in 12 groups’ optics design that includes a high refractive lens (HR) and extra low dispersion lens (ED) to minimise colour aberration and improve overall image quality. Also important is the 9-bladed aperture design as its shape will create attractive bokeh when used at the large f/2.8 maximum aperture.
What we like
- Large focus ring
- Simple design
- Decent price tag
Sigma 70mm f2.8 DG Macro Art Lens
Price: £449
The 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro was the first ever macro lens to join Sigma’s acclaimed Art series line up and is a stonewall classic thanks to its excellent build, superb image quality and reasonable price tag. Available for Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony E-mount, amongst others, the 70mm can be paired with Sigma’s 1.4x or 2x Teleconverters should you need even more focal length and is also future-proof as it can be connected up with Sigma’s USB dock should you need to update the firmware.
As you’d expect from Sigma’s Art series, the 70mm f2.8 DG Macro offers excellent image quality, thanks in part to the two FLD glass elements and two SLD glass elements used in the construction, which keep images sharp, even when the lens is used at is maximum aperture of f/2.8.
What we like
- Affordable price
- Premium build quality
- Future-proof features
Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro
Price: £589
Available for Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mounts, the Irix 150mm is growing a reputation as a genuine alternative to brand-made optics. This is, in part, to the fact that the lens boasts both a 1:1 magnification ratio and a 150mm focal length – this allows photographers the ability to shoot true to life, frame-filling images from a distance, which is particularly useful when shooting subjects like butterflies, who will flutter off if you get too close.
There’s no autofocus, but many photographers prefer to rely on manual focus when capturing close-up imagery anyway. The Irix also benefits from a weather-sealed build and also features a tripod collar, should you want to work with a tripod or monopod support.
What we like
- Extended focal length
- Tripod collar
- Weather sealing
Tokina atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF MACRO
Price: £463
While Tokina is perhaps not as well known as Tamron or Sigma, the atx-i 100mm F2.8 FF MACRO offers photographers a whole lot of lens for your money. Coming in at just over £450, the optic is available for Canon and Nikon full-frame DSLRs, but can also be used with crop sensor DSLRs from these brands where the effective focal lengths switches up to 150mm (160mm for Canon).
Boasting a focus limiter, which will help speed up focusing when compositing subjects closer to the lens, the Tokina also sports an innovative focus clutch where the photographer pushes and pulls a barrel ring to switch from autofocus to manual focus and this allows for a rapid transition between the two modes. The combination of a 1:1 magnification ratio and a very close minimum focusing distance of 30cm will enable you to capture frame-filling images of small subjects. You may need to try and track one of these used as these can be hard to find at the moment.
What we like
- Innovative Focus Clutch
- Great value-for-money
- Close minimum focusing distance
Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
Price: £389
Designed to be a compact and affordable option for photographers using Canon’s APS-C DSLRs, this lens packs in an impressive array of features. It offers 1:1 magnification at a minimum focusing distance of just 13cm, which equates to just 3cm from the front of the lens.
To help with illuminating your subject at such close range, at also includes a built-in LED ring light. Meanwhile, Canon’s Hybrid IS system provides up to four stops of stabilisation. Weighing in at a mere 190g, the 56mm equivalent focal length also allows it to do double duty as an everyday standard lens.
What we like
- Unique LED ring lights
- Compact dimensions
- Lightweight
Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
Price: £499
Venus Optics produces a whole family of Ultra Macro lenses with a unique trick, in that they offer 2x magnification while still focusing to infinity. The 100mm f/2.8 is designed for full-frame DSLR cameras and is available in Nikon F, Pentax K and Canon EF mounts, with the latter coming in two versions with a choice of manual or electronic aperture setting.
The lens has also been adapted for full-frame mirrorless, in Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E and L-mount versions. The minimum focus distance is just 24.7cm, and colour fringing is suppressed thanks to the apochromatic design. Despite the enhanced close focus, the size and weight are similar to conventional 100mm macro lenses.
What we like
- Impressive magnification available
- Excellent image quality
- Choice of mount
Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5x–5x Ultra Macro
Price: £399
For serious devotees of close-up photography, this unusual lens provides ultra-high magnification at a remarkably low price. Unusually, it doesn’t focus to infinity, but instead provides between 2.5x and 5x magnification across a focus distance range of 17.3cm to 23.4cm. It requires both manual focus and aperture operation, and is generally best used on a tripod fitted with a macro rail.
The slimline, tapered barrel is specially designed to minimise shadowing of your subject. The optics cover full frame sensors, and the lens comes in Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mount versions for DSLRs, along with Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E and L-mount mirrorless options.
What we like
- Impressive magnification available
- Intelligent design
- Choice of mount
Nikon AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Micro
Price: £416
Designed specifically for DX format (APS-C) DSLRs, this lens offers an unusually long 128mm-equivalent focal length. It’s packed full of attractive features, including a silent wave motor that promises quiet, precise autofocus, and optical image stabilisation.
At its minimum focus distance of 28.6cm it can focus on subjects measuring 24x16mm, which is equivalent to 1.5x magnification in full-frame terms. The 9-blade aperture promises attractive bokeh and stops down to f/32 for extended depth-of-field. For those on a tighter budget, there’s also a Nikon AF-S DX 40mm f/2.8G Micro for just £269.
What we like
- Optical stabilisation
- Great value for money
- Made for DX cameras
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro OS HSM
Price: £339
Long one of our favourite lenses, for many years this was our go-to option for testing the resolution of DSLRs, due to its superb sharpness. Available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts, it provides a comprehensive feature set at a very tempting price.
You get an ultrasonic-type autofocus motor that enables full-time manual override, along with optical stabilisation that’s good for up to four stops of shake reduction. An inner focusing system means that the length doesn’t change on focusing from infinity down to its 31.2cm minimum, at which point the lens provides life-size magnification.
What we like
- Superb sharpness
- Optical stabilisation
- Great value for money
Top macro tips
Once you’ve found the best value macro lens that’s right for you, have a look at our Top 12 Macro Photography Tips to make the most of your macro lens!
Also, check out our ‘further reading’ list below to discover more of our great macro content.
Further reading
Expert tips for award-winning macro shots
Top 20 best close-up and macro photographs
Top macro flower photography tips
Macro photography lighting tips
