Best Macro Lenses- A List Of 9 High Quality Ones for Professionals

While you are searching for the best macro lenses to shoot the tiny things, there are certain things to consider before buying one. In this article, we put together only a few from hundreds of items on the web for macro photographers around the world. Well! If you ask how to choose a macro photography lens as a professional, you must think of some facts like focal length, aperture, stabilization, weight, and of course the price.

Suggested Article– Best Camera for Macro Photography. 

Best Macro Photography Lenses in 2024

Previously, we picked and discussed some best product photography lenses. Now it’s time to make a shortlist of macro lenses to capture objects in detail. Let’s have a look we mentioned below along with their characteristics, pros, cons, and prices.

1. Sony E 30mm f/3.5

Sony has a reputation for making quality cameras as well as lenses and the Sony E 30mm f/3.5 macro lens helps to build that reputation by taking your macro photography skills to the next level. It is deemed to be one of the best short macro lenses out there that can bring out crisp color tones due to the extra-low dispersion (ED) glass used in its production.

Pros

• Offers a 1:1 Macro capture
• Provides zero image distortion
• Compact and lightweight

Cons

• The edge resolution is not precise
• Does not come with weather protection and stabilization

Price: $273.00

2. Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 IS STM

The Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM is geared towards capturing professional macro images with its optical design and a built-in LED light feature. The lens is great to highlight image details with its f/2.8 aperture that lets in optimum levels of natural light and has a prime focal length with a minimum working distance of 5.12 inches which users love due to its quality precision.

Pros

• Comes with quality image stabilization
• The 1:1 macro capture results in sharp details
• Several options to control the integrated LED

Cons

• Has a bit of a barrel distortion
• Wide apertures come with unwanted dimmed corners

Price: $349.00

3. Nikon 60mm f/2.8 D-AF Micro-Nikkor

The Nikon 60mm f/2.8 D-AF Micro-Nikkor lens is a high-quality and professional macro lens from Nikon — known for its top-notch photography products since 1932 when it was first chosen to make the original Nikkor camera lenses. The macro lens that we are talking about now has been manufactured to provide high-performance photography in both near and distant situations.

Pros

• Close range system ensures high resolution up to 8.75″
• Minimizes flares and balances colors
• Compact nature allows capturing the finest details

Cons

• Not completely compatible for some camera models
• The focus range is limited

Price: $220.00

4. Pentax WR D-FA SMC 100mm f/2.8

Pentax has gained a good name for manufacturing long-lasting and weather-resistant photography tools that are available worldwide for its well-maintained quality standards. The Pentax WR D-FA SMC 100mm f/2.8 macro lens has a layer of SP coating that protects the lens elements and can shift from manual to autofocus almost instantly due to its quick shift focus feature.

Pros

• Comes with a 100mm focal length
• Allows 1:1 magnified macro capturing
• Works great for full-frame cameras

Cons

• Does not come with image stabilization
• It is not very lightweight

Price: $496.95

5. IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Dragonfly

The IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Dragonfly Macro Lens is a full-frame DSLR mid-telephoto lens that has Swiss precision, manufactured to deliver the best possible details using wide apertures. The lens itself has been designed by South Korean designers who acknowledged the need for weather resistance and went as far as to give the lens a patent-pending focus ring lock to increase the product’s durability even more.

Pros

• 150mm focal length with a minimum distance of 34.5cm
• 1:1 macro reproduction ratio
• The rubberized focus ring can rotate up to 270°

Cons

• The lens hood is not high quality and can bend easily
• Warranty cannot be trusted due to records of replacement refusal

Price: $479.99

6. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 VC USD

The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 VC USD Macro Lens is very compact, lightweight, and comfortable to use. The lens has surpassed its previous models in terms of quality and work precision. While many may deter away from this product due to its price, the lens is worth it according to the plethora of satisfied users from around the world who have chosen to be loyal to the brand after using this product.

Pros

• Comes with a high-quality image stabilizer
• Works well for close up macro shots
• Large apertures conserve both color and details

Cons

• Lens gets filled with dust easily
• Autofocus is not accurate to its claim of f/2.8

Price: $768.68

7. Panasonic Lumix G 30mm f/2.8 ASPH Mega OIS

Panasonic is yet another top-tier brand that has been making cameras and lenses for quite a while. The Panasonic Lumix G 30mm f/2.8 ASPH Mega OIS Macro Lens falls moderately in the tele macro lens category and provides the widest macro option among its competitors. The lens apertures work comparably fast much like a 25mm f/1.4 lens in terms of providing a professional macro photography experience.

Pros

• Built with high-quality materials
• The mega OIS feature allows up to 2.5-3 f-stops
• Is essentially noiseless when in action

Cons

• It takes a while to focus
• The stabilizer is active on Panasonic cameras only

Price: $297.99

8. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Designed for full format DSLRs, the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens ensures quality autofocus using ultrasonic wave beams. It is geared with Sigma’s exclusive optical stabilizer that works brilliantly to capture image details and the low dispersion glass used in the production of this macro telephoto lens can correct chromatic aberrations like no other.

Pros

• Has a 9 blade diaphragm to clear the perfect blur
• Very lightweight and comfortable to handle
• No barrel distortion

Cons

• Image stabilization is very noisy
• The focus is a little slow

Price: $599.72

9. Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8

Olympus is yet another renowned brand that produces quality photography tools and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens is keen on capturing and enhancing the details of an image subject. The 60mm macro features allow brightness preservation and are made with high-quality glass materials that can easily help to prevent unwanted chromatic aberrations.

Pros

• The lens is completely weatherproof
• Is usable within a minimum working distance of 7.4″
• Comes with a focus limit switch that speeds up autofocus

Cons

• Can easily get dusty internally
• Does not come with an image stabilizer

Price: $499.00

How To Pick The Correct Lens?

To End, Macro photography needs some time to be mastered, and choosing the correct lens is vital. We would advise you to start by setting a budget and then focus on autofocus, color preservation, durability, and quality of the lens before investing in one because, at the end of the day, a lens can make or break your total macro experience.