{"id":103509,"date":"2018-07-09T14:23:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T19:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=103509"},"modified":"2018-07-09T14:23:43","modified_gmt":"2018-07-09T19:23:43","slug":"buyers-guide-macro-lenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/buyers-guide-macro-lenses\/","title":{"rendered":"Buyer\u2019s Guide: The Best Macro Lenses on the Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are some of the best macro lens options currently on the market for filmmakers and videographers looking to get close on their next shoot.<\/h2>\n

Cover image by\u00a0Sergey Nemirovsky<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re\u00a0expanding your solo kit or building out\u00a0a full professional filmmaking lens kit, a solid macro lens is key to getting varied and stylized close-ups.\u00a0If you’re\u00a0unfamiliar with the term, a \u201cmacro\u201d lens is usually a lens with a focal length around 50mm or\u00a0higher that allows a videographer to get tight on a small subject \u2014 or get close-ups on a subject\u2019s features, like the face, eyes, or hands.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0this article, we\u2019ll look at some of the best prime (fixed) macro lenses currently on the market.<\/p>\n

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Canon 60mm f\/2.8<\/h3>\n
\"Buyer\u2019s<\/a>

Image via\u00a0\u00a0Canon<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the most persistent staples in any DSLR or mirrorless camera arsenal is the Canon 60mm macro.\u00a0It offers a maximum aperture of f\/2.8, so it is a fantastic option. You will, as listed below, find some similar options from other brands, but Canon still takes the cake among the high-performing, mid-level-priced options. The Canon 60mm\u2019s floating optical system can focus down to the highly coveted full life-size 1:1 magnification, and it will stay sturdy for years.<\/p>\n

Price: $399.99<\/a><\/p>\n

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Oshiro 60mm f\/2.8<\/h3>\n
\"Buyer\u2019s<\/a>

Image via\u00a0Oshiro<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Comparable to the Canon 60mm, the Oshiro 60mm f\/2.8 is another solid option at\u00a0less than half the price. Oshiro may not be a Canon-level name, but with this fixed macro lens option, you get plenty of bang for your buck. Oshiro\u2019s 60mm is an optically minded construction that includes ultra-low dispersion lens elements for some amazing image quality.<\/p>\n

Price: $179.95<\/a><\/p>\n

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Tamron 90mm f\/2.8<\/h3>\n
\"Buyer\u2019s<\/a>

Image via\u00a0Tamron<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Taking a step up in fixed focal length, Tamron makes a 90mm f\/2.8 macro option, which is one of their most successful lenses. Tamron has a solid reputation for affordable and lightweight (but solid) lenses. (I highly recommend their 24-50mm and 24-70mm zooms.) The latest 90mm f\/2.8 has some buffs in USD control software for faster AF focusing speed and fine-tuned framing conditions while still\u00a0maintaining Tamron\u2019s high level of durability.<\/p>\n

Price: $499.00<\/a><\/p>\n

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Canon 100mm f\/2.8<\/h3>\n
\"Buyer\u2019s<\/a>

Image via Canon<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

Back to Canon, at the higher-fixed-focal-length end of things, Canon\u2019s 100mm f\/2.8 is perhaps the most powerful macro lens available on the market. At 100mm, it\u2019s ideally for full-frame cameras without major crop factors, but it\u00a0also works great for 1:1 life-size maximum magnification. Canon\u2019s familiar smooth ring-type USM and internal focusing design is some of the best available, while its solid build makes it stronger and longer-lasting than the more plastic-y<\/em> options at lower price points.<\/p>\n

Price: $749<\/a><\/p>\n

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Bonus: If you\u2019re looking for even higher fixed-focal-length macro options, you can always jump to Canon\u2019s line of 70-200mm zoom options, which just got some major updates you can read more about here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Consider Extension Tubes<\/h3>\n

\"Buyer\u2019s<\/a><\/p>\n

Image via Vello<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally,\u00a0another option to consider\u00a0is an extension tube. More affordable than a macro lens,\u00a0an extension tube, like the Auto Extension Tube Set from Vello, allows you to place a \u201ctube\u201d between your camera body and your normal lens (say a shorter fixed length like a 21mm) to create a macro composition with your non-macro lenses. While this is not always\u00a0a perfect approach (focusing and other elements become a little more hair-triggery),\u00a0if you’re only\u00a0using macro shots on rare\u00a0occasions,\u00a0a less expensive extension tube can be a great way to add variety to your shots without\u00a0a big-scale investment.<\/p>\n

Price: $79.00<\/a>\u00a0(varied by sets)<\/p>\n

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For more camera lens and gear information, check out some of these articles below.<\/p>\n