Macro Canon Lens: A Guide to Choosing the Best Option for Your Photography Needs

Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur looking to improve your skills, a macro Canon lens is an excellent investment.

Macro Canon Lens: A Guide to Choosing the Best Option for Your Photography Needs
Photo by Rishabh Sharma / Unsplash

Macro Canon lenses are an essential tool for photographers who want to capture the intricate details of small objects. These lenses are designed to deliver high magnification ratios, allowing you to get up close and personal with your subject. Whether you're a professional photographer or an amateur looking to improve your skills, a macro Canon lens is an excellent investment.

When choosing a macro Canon lens, there are a few things you should keep in mind. One of the most crucial factors is the focal length. A longer focal length will give you more magnification, but it can also make it more challenging to get a sharp image. Another important consideration is the aperture. A wider aperture can help you achieve a shallower depth of field, which can be useful for isolating your subject and creating a more dramatic effect.

We spent hours researching and testing several macro Canon lenses to identify the ones that deliver the best performance. In the following sections, we'll take a closer look at some of the top options on the market and help you find the perfect lens for your needs.

Best Macro Canon Lenses

If you're into photography, you know the importance of having a good lens. When it comes to macro photography, having the right lens can make all the difference. Macro lenses are specifically designed to capture small details and bring them to life in stunning detail. In this article, we've rounded up the best macro Canon lenses on the market. Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist, these lenses will help you take your macro photography to the next level.

Altura Photo 58MM Macro Canon Lens

Altura Photo 58MM Macro Canon Lens

If you're looking for an affordable way to take amazing macro and wide-angle shots, the Altura Photo 58MM Macro Canon Lens is a great choice.

Pros

  • Easy to attach to your lens
  • Compatible with a wide range of Canon lenses
  • Comes with a detachable macro lens for high-resolution close-ups

Cons

  • Only compatible with 58MM lenses
  • May not work well with some camera models
  • Some users report distortion in wide-angle shots

This lens attachment is a great way to expand the field of view for breathtaking wide-angle photography. It's also a great way to take extremely high-resolution close-ups of small objects with the detachable macro lens.

The Altura Photo 58MM Macro Canon Lens is compatible with popular Canon lenses, including the EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM, and EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM. It's also compatible with a range of camera models, including the Canon EOS Rebel T7 T7i T6i T6 T6s T5i T5 T4i T3i T100 SL3 SL2 SL1 90D 80D 77D 70D 1100D 700D 650D 600D 550D 7D Mark II 6D Mark II 5DS 5D Mark II 1D Mark II M3 M5 M6 M10 M50 M100 M200 R RP.

However, it's important to verify your camera's lens thread size before ordering, as this wide-angle lens is compatible with 58MM lenses only. The lens sizes may vary regardless of camera brand or model, so make sure to check your camera's lens thread size before ordering.

Overall, the Altura Photo 58MM Macro Canon Lens is a great choice for anyone looking to take amazing macro and wide-angle shots without breaking the bank. With its easy attachment and compatibility with a wide range of Canon lenses and camera models, it's definitely worth considering if you're in the market for a new lens.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens

If you're looking for a high-quality macro lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens is a great choice.

Pros

  • The lens is incredibly sharp and produces stunningly detailed images.
  • The image stabilization technology is highly effective and helps you capture clear, sharp shots even in low light.
  • The lens is well-built and feels sturdy and durable.

Cons

  • The lens is quite heavy, which can make it tiring to use for extended periods of time.
  • The lens is quite expensive, which may put it out of reach for some photographers.
  • The lens is not compatible with Canon extenders or close-up lenses.

If you're serious about macro photography, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens is definitely worth considering. It produces incredibly sharp, detailed images and the image stabilization technology is highly effective, allowing you to capture clear, sharp shots even in low light. The lens is also well-built and feels sturdy and durable, so you can be confident that it will last you for years to come.

That being said, the lens is quite heavy, which can make it tiring to use for extended periods of time. Additionally, the lens is quite expensive, which may put it out of reach for some photographers. Finally, it's worth noting that the lens is not compatible with Canon extenders or close-up lenses, which may be a dealbreaker for some photographers.

Overall, if you're looking for a high-quality macro lens and you're willing to invest in a top-of-the-line product, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens is definitely worth considering.

Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro is STM

Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro is STM

If you're looking for a versatile lens that can handle portraits, street photography, low-light scenes, and macro photography, then the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro is STM is a great choice. With a maximum aperture of f/2, this lens provides beautiful bokeh and a focal length of 85 millimeters.

Pros

  • The optical image stabilization system offers up to 5 stops of shake correction, making it ideal for low-light scenes or when recording video.
  • Hybrid IS compensates for angular and shift camera shake during macro shooting.
  • The built-in customizable control ring allows for direct setting changes.

Cons

  • The lens is not EF compatible.
  • The build quality is lower than some other lenses in the Canon lineup.
  • The autofocus can be a bit slow at times.

Overall, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro is STM is a great option for those who want a versatile lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations. The image quality is top-notch, with sharpness and good contrast, and the background bokeh is very nice. The macro capability is a nice bonus, allowing for close-up shots with excellent results. However, the autofocus can be a bit slow at times, and the build quality is not as high as some other lenses in the Canon lineup. If you're looking for a lens that can handle portraits, street photography, low-light scenes, and macro photography, then the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro is STM is definitely worth considering.

Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camera

Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camera

If you're looking for a high-performance macro lens for your Canon EOS DSLR camera, the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens is a great option to consider.

Pros

  • The Optical Stabilizer (OS) system enables handheld close-up photography.
  • The lens has a splash-proof design, making it suitable for use in harsh conditions.
  • The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, providing high contrast images.

Cons

  • The lens is a bit heavy at 725g.
  • The lens hood may be difficult to attach and remove.
  • The price point is higher than some other macro lenses on the market.

This lens offers a large aperture medium telephoto macro lens with OS (Optical Stabilizer) and a Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens that provides excellent correction for all types of aberration and distortion. The floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions, compensating for astigmatic aberration and spherical aberration and providing extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.

The lens is designed for use with full-frame digital SLR cameras, but it may also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors with a corresponding effective increase in focal length to about 150mm with most cameras. The lens focuses down to 1:1 magnification ratio at its closest working distance of 12.3 inches, making it perfect for close-up photography.

The lens comes with a hood adapter, lens hood, front & rear lens caps, and a carrying case. The lens hood is specifically designed to reduce flare and ghosting, and the hood adapter allows you to attach the hood in reverse for easy storage.

Overall, the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Cameras is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performance macro lens. It offers excellent optical performance, a splash-proof design, and a Super Multi-Layer Coating that reduces flare and ghosting. While it may be a bit heavy and expensive, it's definitely worth the investment for serious photographers.

Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens, Black

Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens

If you're looking for a versatile wide-angle prime lens that can also handle macro photography, the Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens is definitely worth considering.

Pros

  • Compact size with a 0.5x magnification ratio
  • Optical image stabilization with up to 5 stops of shake correction
  • Control ring for direct setting changes

Cons

  • AF issues exist
  • High copy-to-copy variation
  • Bokeh may not be to everyone's liking

In my experience, the Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens is a great all-purpose lens that can handle a wide variety of shooting situations. The compact size and 0.5x magnification ratio make it a great choice for macro photography, and the optical image stabilization helps ensure sharp shots even in low light.

That being said, I did experience some autofocus issues with this lens, and I've heard from other users that there can be a fair amount of copy-to-copy variation in terms of image quality. Additionally, while the bokeh on this lens is generally quite pleasing, it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Overall, I think the Canon RF35mm F1.8 is Macro STM Lens is a solid choice for anyone looking for a versatile wide-angle prime lens that can also handle macro photography. Just be aware that there may be some autofocus and image quality issues to contend with.

Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is USM

Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is USM

If you're looking for a high-quality macro lens for your Canon EOS R series camera, the Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is USM is definitely worth considering.

Pros

  • The world's first medium telephoto macro lens with a maximum magnification of 1.4x.
  • High image quality and bright, fixed f/2.8 aperture telephoto macro RF lens.
  • Optical image stabilizer with up to 5 stops of shake correction.

Cons

  • The Spherical Aberration control ring may not be suitable for all users.
  • The lens is relatively heavy compared to other macro lenses.
  • The price point may be too high for some users.

This lens is perfect for those who want to take stunning macro shots with their Canon EOS R series camera. The lens is engineered specifically for full-frame EOS R series cameras, and it delivers close-up imagery at up to 1.4x magnification with autofocus.

The lens features a fixed 100mm focal length, a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture for blurred backgrounds and low light shooting, fast, highly-precise AF, and an SA (spherical aberration) Control Ring, which allows adjustments to the shape and character of foreground/background bokeh.

With strong built-in optical image stabilization and Canon’s Hybrid IS system, close-up shooting and video are sharp and stable. Using the FLM, imagemakers can expect to see stunning results that can enhance their creative/artistic vision.

Overall, the Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is USM is an excellent lens for those who want to take stunning macro shots with their Canon EOS R series camera. The lens is relatively heavy compared to other macro lenses, and the price point may be too high for some users. However, the lens offers high-quality images, a bright aperture, and a range of features that make it an excellent choice for those who want to take their macro photography to the next level.

Buying Guide

When it comes to purchasing a macro Canon lens, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key features to look for when choosing the best product for your needs:

Magnification Ratio

The magnification ratio is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a macro lens. It determines how close you can get to your subject and still maintain focus. A higher magnification ratio means you can get closer to your subject, resulting in more detailed and intricate shots. Consider your photography needs and choose a lens with a suitable magnification ratio.

Focal Length

The focal length is another important factor to consider. Macro lenses typically come in a range of focal lengths, from 50mm to 200mm. A shorter focal length is ideal for shooting small objects, while a longer focal length is better for capturing insects and other small creatures from a distance. Consider your photography needs and choose a lens with a suitable focal length.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is a feature that helps reduce camera shake and produce sharper images. When shooting macro photography, even the slightest movement can result in blurry images. Consider a lens with image stabilization to ensure your shots are sharp and in focus.

Autofocus

Autofocus is another important feature to consider when choosing a macro lens. It allows you to quickly and accurately focus on your subject, which is crucial when shooting macro photography. Look for a lens with fast and accurate autofocus to ensure your shots are in focus.

Aperture

The aperture of a lens determines how much light enters the camera. A wider aperture allows more light to enter, resulting in brighter images and shallower depth of field. Consider your lighting conditions and choose a lens with a suitable aperture for your needs.

In summary, when choosing a macro Canon lens, consider the magnification ratio, focal length, image stabilization, autofocus, and aperture. These features will help you choose the best product for your photography needs.