One of the most versatile tools in
photography, everyone should have a macro lens in their bag
Macro lenses are designed to focus much
closer than standard optics, resulting in frame-filling pictures at
reproduction ratios between 1:2 (half life-size) and 5:1 (five times
life-size), without the need for additional close-up accessories. Although they
can also be used for regular photography such as portraits and landscapes, they
are specially designed for close focusing, so the optical quality is second to
none.
Macro
lenses are designed to focus much closer than standard optics, resulting in
frame-filling pictures at reproduction ratios between 1:2 (half life-size) and
5:1 (five times life-size), without the need for additional close-up
accessories.
Macro lenses come in a range of focal
lengths, but can generally be described as standard (e.g. 50 or 60mm),
short-telephoto (such as 90 or 105mm), or long-telephoto (e.g. 180mm). Lenses
with these standard focal lengths are lightweight, and offer the possibility of
handholding. However, these lenses have a much wider angle of view than
short-telephotos, which means they show more of the surrounding environment –
something that can be distracting. Furthermore, standard macros have a short
working distance, forcing you to move closer to your subject. This proximity is
fine for static objects, such as fruit and fungi, but flighty creatures such as
butterflies are easily disturbed by movement, and will not take kindly to this
intrusion. In general, these focal lengths can achieve reproduction ratios of
up to 1:2 (half life-size).
Short telephoto macro lenses
By far the most popular macro lens, a short
telephoto offers a greater working distance than a standard macro lens, which
makes it ideal for capturing insects, reptiles and other sensitive creatures.
Many close-up photographers opt for focal lengths between 90 and 105mm, with
100mm the most popular. Short-telephoto lenses have a narrower angle of view
than “standard” lenses, and show less of the surrounding environment, which is
great for isolating subjects against busy backgrounds. Furthermore, lenses in
this group work well with extension tubes, allowing greater magnifications
without significantly reducing image quality. In general, they can achieve
reproduction ratios of up to 1:1 (life-size).
Standard
or short telephoto macro lenses are ideal for inanimate subjects like this
flower
Long telephoto macro lenses
Long telephoto lenses are the optic of
choice for photographers looking to dramatically increase working distance
while achieving large magnifications. These lenses have an extremely narrow
angle of view, which is ideal for reducing the amount of background in your
shot, and transforming what is there into a soft, attractive blur. However,
long telephoto macro lenses are heavy and should be used with a tripod – some
even come with a special collar to support the extra weight. In addition these
lenses are also expensive and less widely available, but they can achieve reproduction
ratios of up to 5:1 (five times life-size).
1
– The Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED standard macro lens; 2 – The Canon
EF 100mm f/2.8 USM L IS short telephoto macro lens; 3 – The Sigma APO Macro
180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM long telephoto macro lens; 4 – The Tamron AF 90mm
f/2.8 SP Di short telephoto macro lens
What’s available
Every lens manufacturer has at least one
macro lens in their arsenal and most offer a choice of several. Here’s a list
of the main options…
Canon
EF-S 60mm F/2.8 macro USM
Closest focusing distance 20cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Ultrasonic Motor (USM) (perfect for capturing nervous
subjects), Super Spectra coating to reduce ghosting and flare. RRP $856.9
Canon
MP-E 65mm F/2.8 1-5X macro
Closest focusing distance 24cm, 5:1 (five
times life-size) reproduction, built-in tripod collar, UD elements to suppress
chromatic aberrations, Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare.
Manual focus only. RRP $1983.5
Canon
EF 100mm F/2.8 macro USM
Closest focusing distance 31cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, USM motor, Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting
and flare. Ideal for portraiture and other uses. RRP $1031.5
Canon
EF 100mm F/2.8L macro IS USM
Closest focusing distance 30cm, 1:1
reproduction, Image Stabilizer with angle and shift detection, USM motor,
UD-glass elements to suppress chromatic aberrations, optional tripod collar.
RRP $1682
Canon
EF 180mm F/3.5L macro USM
Closest focusing distance 48cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, telephoto focal length (increases working distance),
USM motor (perfect for nervous subjects). Super Spectra coatings to reduce
ghosting and flare. RRP $2967.5
Nikon
40mm F/2.8G AF-S DX micro Nikkor
Closest focusing distance 16cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, SWM motor (perfect for nervous subjects), two focus
modes: M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual focus). RRP $396.5
Nikon
60mm F/2.8G ED AF-S micro Nikkor
Closest focusing distance 19cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Nano Crystal coating to reduce ghosting and flare,
SWM motor, Super ED glass to reduce spherical aberration and astigmatism. RRP
$793.5
Nikon
85mm F/3.5G ED VR AF-S DX micro Nikkor
Closest focusing distance 29cm, 1:1 (life-size)
reproduction, Vibration Reduction II system, SWM motor, Extra Low Dispersion
glass. RRP $828.5
Nikon
105mm F/2.8G AF-S VR II micro Nikkor
Closest focusing distance 31cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Nano Crystal coating to reduce ghosting and flare, VR
II system, SWM motor, ED glass to reduce spherical aberration and astigmatism.
RRP $1240.9
Nikon
200mm F/4D AF micro Nikkor
Closest focusing distance 50cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Close-Range Correction system (CRC), ED glass. RRP
$2269
Pentax
35mm F/2.8 SMC DA macro
Limited Edition lens. Closest focusing
distance 14cm, 1:1 (life-size) reproduction, Quick Shift focus system, superior
lens coating, built-in extendable lens hood. RRP $761.5
Pentax
50mm F/2.8 SMC DFA macro
Closest focusing distance 20cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, built-in focus clamp, Quick Shift focus system, SMC
multi-layer lens coating to reduce surface reflection and ultraviolet rays. Can
also be used as a standard lens. RRP $872.9
Pentax
100m F/2.8 SMC DFA macro WR
Closest focusing distance 30cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Super Protect lens coating, weather resistant, Quick
Shift focus system. RRP $968
Sigma
50mm F/2.8 EX DG macro
Closest focusing distance 19cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, multi-layer lens coating to reduce ghosting and
flare. Floating Focusing system. RRP $507.9
Sigma
70mm F/2.8 EX DG macro
Closest focusing distance 25cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass to reduce
aberrations, multi-layer lens coating to reduce ghosting and flare. Floating
Focusing system. RRP $729.9
Sigma
105mm F/2.8 EX DG OS HSM macro
Closest focusing distance 31cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Optical Stabilizer, Special Low Dispersion (SLD)
glass to reduce aberrations, Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) (perfect for nervous
subjects), multi-layer lens coating to reduce ghosting and flare. Floating
Focusing system. RRP $1031.5
Sigma
150mm F/2.8 EX DG OS HSM macro
Closest focusing distance 38cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Optical Stabilizer, Special Low Dispersion (SLD)
glass to reduce aberrations, HSM motor, multi-layer lens coating to reduce
ghosting and flare. Floating Focusing system. RRP $1586.9
Sigma
180mm F/2.8 EX DG OS HSM macro
Closest focusing distance 47cm, 1:1
(life-size) reproduction, Optical Stabilizer, FLD glass elements, telephoto
focal length (increase working distance). HSM motor, multi-layer lens coating
to reduce ghosting and flare. RRP $2380
Tamron
60mm F/2 SP DI II macro
(For APS-C DSLRs). Closest focusing
distance 23cm, 1:1 (life-size) reproduction, features two LD glass elements.
RRP $563.5
Tamron
SP AF 90mm F/2.8 DI macro
(For APS-C or full frame). Closest focusing
distance 29cm, 1:1 (life-size) reproduction. (Note: Tamron has just announced a
new version with Vibration Compensation and USD silent motor. Price/
availability tbc) RRP $555.5
