Macro photography is one of the few genres that helps one to look at the details of the unseen world. You can look at the lovely colors of insects, capture details of a unique product, and you also get some impressive textures. If you are someone who is looking to buy a new macro lens to broaden your portfolio, then here are some exceptional options for you.
Tamron 90mm f2.8 Di III VXD
The Tamron lens is very versatile. It can be used to photograph insects and flowers, but also portraits and jewelry. The macro lens has 12 aperture blades, a first in the company’s history. It is also long, but has a nice feel despite being made of plastic. The lens’ autofocus works wonders with Sony’s cameras, meaning you will never lose out on the subject. It is also sharp, but for sharpness, it is best to use it with flash. The colors are naturally wonderful and the out of focus background is lovely.
Laowa 90mm F2.8 2x Ultra Macro
Laowa has been the go-to brand for macro lenses, and this one is no different. The 90mm offers 2x closeness, which many purists running after 1:1 will not agree. When the focus is fixed, the 2x lens offers immense sharpness, along with nice separation from the background. The colors are quite diverse, and as we said in our review, “The creamy bokeh and dreamy rainbow flare are also an ideal fit for photographers craving character on a modern camera body.” And you also get a nice metal build to work with. All of this at just $500.
Nikon Z MC 105mm f2.8 VR S
Launched in 2022, this is a true 1:1 macro lens, with 5.6 inches long and 22.3 ounces of weight. The lens is weather sealed, has a nice display at the top, and you get plenty of control around it. Since it is a macro lens, it will take some time to get the focus right and the autofocus works best when focusing on subjects far away. It also delivers sharp images with stunning bokeh, making it worth the $900 price tag. The colors are good when using JPEG and the contrast will make things better.
Voigtlander 110mm f2.5
The 110mm lens features a true 1:1 ratio, weighs 1.7 lbs, and has a distinct build. The lens offers critical sharpness, but also impressive bokeh and character. The colors are accurate and true to life, meaning the photos of flowers and insects will also look quite charming. It also offers a pretty narrow depth of field that can make focusing quite challenging. A lens like this will certainly be better used by professionals who want lens character.
IRIX 150mm f2.8 Dragonfly Macro Lens
One of the longest lenses in this macro range, the IRIX 150mm is quite charming. It offers 11 aperture blades, 1:1 magnification, and it is designed using Firefly and Blackstone materials. The front of the lens is weather sealed, and you get a long focus throw as well. “The title of this piece calls this lens The Bokeh King, and it indeed really is. Photographers of all types will not only love the bokeh, but they’ll also appreciate the sharpness,” we also said in our review. In addition, they are graced by vivid colors and soft bokeh that can help those shooting insects.