The Best Macro Lenses of the Moment [2021]

Are you looking for a macro lens for your camera, but you don't know which one to choose? Don't worry, we will help you! As we know that there is an ideal one for each person, depending on the needs and purpose of each photographer, in this article we compile a varied catalog with some of the best macro lenses of the moment so that you can improve your macrophotographic skills and obtain much more artistic photos.

By way of introduction, we want to briefly explain the purpose of these lenses and what types exist. Macro lenses are those designed to photograph very small objects occupying a relatively large percentage of the frame, with the greatest possible sharpness.

There are different types of macro lenses and different ways to classify them, but in this post we will do it simply taking into account the focal length. In this way, there are macro lenses with short focal lenght and with long focal length.

• Macro Lenses with Short Focal Lenght: These move in fixed or variable focal ranges below 75mm. With these lenses we will have to get very close to the object or subject in question (perhaps a negative point when it comes to taking nature photography). On the other hand, these lenses are capable of offering us an excellent depth of field and are usually cheaper than those with a longer focal length.
• Macro Lenses with Long Focal Lenght: They are also often called tele macro. Having wider focal lengths allow us to photograph from more distant points, thus being less "intrusive" with the environment, and allowing us to work with more discretion. They tend to be more expensive for the simple fact of being more complex in their architecture and for being made up of more lenses.

Now, taking this classification into account, we will now recommend what we and many professionals consider to be some of the best macro lenses of the moment.

Within the Macro Lenses with Short Focal Lenght ...

Canon EF 24-70mm f / 2.8L II USM

It can be considered one of the best high-end macro lenses for professional photographers. The Canon EF 24-70mm f / 2.8L II USM offers exceptional image quality and a fast f / 2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range, thanks to aspherical lens elements and ultra-low dispersion glass (UD) and super UD glass. The perfect complement to any full-frame EOS camera.

An ultrasonic ring-type AF motor allows you to focus quickly, quietly and accurately. Continuous manual focus override is available, allowing you to adjust focus without changing focus modes.

Additionally, the 0.38m minimum focusing distance increases the versatility of the EF 24-70mm f / 2.8L II USM by providing a maximum magnification of 0.21x.

The EF 24-70mm f / 2.8L II USM is robust enough for everyday use by professionals. A weather seal protects it from dust and moisture, while the fluorine-coated front and rear elements are easy to clean.

Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM Lens

The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro is compact, lightweight and highly accurate, forming a unique wide-angle primary lens that combines the specialty of a 1: 2 macro optics with the versatility of a wide-angle lens.

This lens can focus up to 17cm, at medium life scale, and is ideal for shooting everything from close-ups to street scenes and landscapes. Macro magnification of up to 1: 2 makes it easy to capture complex details and textures in your subjects.

The f / 1.8 maximum aperture offers more control over depth of field and allows you to capture the real environment, even when light conditions are low.

Combined Image Stabilization makes use of the lens's Optical Image Stabilizer and the camera's 5-axis Electronic Image Stabilization to deliver remarkably stable footage, even when we shoot while walking. Silent STM autofocus is smooth and stable, so focus transitions are natural.

Fujinon XF 60mm f/2.4 R Macro

Providing great versatility, the Fujinon 60mm Macro XF lens is perfect for a wide range of applications, from portraits to 0.5x magnification Macros.

Specifically designed to maximize the design of the X-Pro1 camera body, the X-Mount has a short rear distance of just 17.7mm providing great resolution across the image.

Although it does not have an image stabilizer, the Macro Fujinon lens offers us precise control of the depth of field and an excellent bokeh effect.

Additionally, holding the high-quality metal barrel and operating the precision-machined 1/3-step aperture ring is a sensation that fires the desire to capture every scene

Within the Macro Lenses with Long Focal Lenght ... 

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

The Sony FE 90mm f / 2.8 Macro G OSS is a premium macro lens fully compatible with E-mount APS-C format and full-frame cameras. It has many high-tech features, including a dual DDSSM (Direct Drive Super Sonic Wave AF Motor) for fast, accurate and near-silent performance, plus 'Optical SteadyShot' stabilization.

Users also have direct access to a focus hold button and focus range limiter for further optimizing the lens' performance in certain situations. On top of this, the focusing ring slides for immediate switching between manual and auto focusing. 

The FE 90mm offers incredible resolution with up to 1: 1 magnification. It also creates a gorgeous bokeh background whenever you need it, especially if you're shooting handheld.The lens also boasts a fast f/2.8 aperture for controlling depth of field and working in less-than-ideal light as well as a Nano AR coating that help eliminate ghosting and flare.

Two extra-low dispersion elements, including one Super ED element, are featured in the lens design and helps to reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color neutrality. One aspherical element is incorporated in the lens design to reduce astigmatism, field curvature, coma, and other monochromatic aberrations.

Samyang 100mm f/2.8 Macro 

The Samyang 100mm F2.8 ED UMC Macro lens with 1: 1 scale magnification produces full-size images with superior image quality. This captures the essence of nature at a minimum focusing distance of just 30cm. It is an extremely versatile lens that you can use as both a macro and close-up lens and as a telephoto lens for portraits and landscapes.

While it doesn't have an image stabilizer, its amazing image quality, its superb manual control, and great price make up for it all. Aperture control works like silk, and manual focus is insanely good.

Its optics are also very careful and it consists of 15 elements in 12 groups. It includes a high refractive (HR) lens and an extra low dispersion (ED) lens unit, which minimize unnecessary light distribution.

Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR Micro

The Nikkor AF-S 105mm f / 2.8 G IF-ED VR Micro is fairly compact lens.  Ideal for macro shooting, this lens offers a life-size 1:1 maximum magnification along with a minimum focusing distance of 1' to suit working with close-up subjects.

VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by three stops to benefit shooting handheld in difficult lighting conditions. Both a Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating have been applied to individual elements to suppress internal reflections, flare, and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions. Rounded nine-blade diaphragm promotes a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.

Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. An internal focusing design is also used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro

Despite its low price, this Sigma lens is a short-telephoto prime characterized by its ability to achieve a 1:1, life-size magnification along with a 1' minimum focusing distance for macro applications. The optical design employs two SLD elements to virtually eliminate chromatic aberrations and color fringing throughout the focusing range for improved clarity and color rendering. A Super Multi-Layer Coating has also been applied for greater contrast when working in strong lighting conditions.

Balancing the optical assets, this lens also features a floating internal focus design that maintains consistent sharpness throughout the focusing range. A Hyper Sonic Motor affords quick and quiet autofocus performance while an Optical Stabilizer minimizes the appearance of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting.

IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly 

Optimized for close-up shooting, the Nikon F-mount 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 from Irix is a medium telephoto prime featuring a life-size 1:1 maximum magnification and a 1.1' minimum focusing distance for photographing nearby subjects. A bright f/2.8 maximum aperture enables working in a variety of lighting conditions and also offers greater control over depth of field for isolating subject matter.

The 12 element, nine group optical design features a Neutrino coating, which helps to suppress lens flare and ghosting in order to achieve higher contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions.

Complementing the optical assets is a robust physical construction, dubbed Dragonfly, which incorporates extensive weather sealing to guard against dust and moisture. This manual focus lens also features printed focus distance and depth of field scales to benefit fast and accurate focusing, and a rounded 11-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth bokeh quality

Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD para Sony

This lens offers excellent performance in relation to the price at which we can buy it. With this lens, long distance subjects can be zoomed in easier than ever as it has a variable focal length of between seventy and three hundred millimeters. This makes it not only ideal for sports, wildlife and nature photography, but also provides a flattering perspective for portraits and street shots.

The optical system consists of 15 elements in ten groups, including a high precision LD (Low Dispersion) element to ensure correction of chromatic aberrations and other optical image errors. Regardless of the focal length selected, images are remarkably bright and sharp.

Autofocus is based on an exceptionally quiet RXD stepping motor. The autofocus system also has a sensor that continually determines the lens's current focus setting. This ensures fast and accurate autofocus.