What Is a Macro Lens and When To Use It?

Macro Lens – Features and Construction

A macro lens is a specialised tool that enables photographers and filmmakers to capture the small details of the world that often escape our eyes. Its main feature is its ability to achieve a high magnification ratio, often 1:1 or higher, which means that the subject being photographed can be represented at actual size on the camera sensor.

Macro Lens Optics

The magnification ratio is the key feature that distinguishes a macro lens from standard lenses. A magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the subject in the photograph appears to be the same size as it is in reality. In comparison, most normal lenses have a magnification ratio of just 1:5, which is insufficient for true macro photography.

Working distance is another important parameter which denotes the distance from the front lens to the subject being photographed. In macro lenses, this distance can vary and depends on the specific model and focal length. For example, macro lenses with shorter focal lengths require you to get much closer to the subject, which can be problematic when photographing creatures such as insects.

The depth of field in macro photography is extremely shallow, allowing the subject to be isolated from the background, but at the same time requiring the photographer to focus precisely. In this context, many photographers use a technique called focus stacking, i.e. combining multiple images with different focus points into one to increase the depth of field in the image.

Differences Between Macro Lenses and Standard Lenses

The optical construction of macro lenses is designed to minimise aberration and distortion, which is crucial when photographing small subjects. In addition, the autofocus mechanism in macro lenses is often tuned for precise and quiet operation, which is essential when photographing motion-sensitive and sound-sensitive insects.

Focal Lengths 35-60 mm

These lenses are ideal for macro photography in the field, offering greater convenience and portability. However, they do require the photographer to get significantly closer to the subject, which can be somewhat problematic when photographing shy insects or other situations that require distance. For example, a 50mm f/2.8 macro lens may offer a magnification ratio of 1:1, but will require working from a very short distance.

NIKON Macro Lens 50 mm

Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a Nikon macro lens dedicated to mirrorless cameras that enables shooting with a true 1:1 zoom ratio, allowing fine detail to be captured at close range. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to transport and convenient to use in the field, but as with other short focal length lenses, this requires you to get close to your subject.

Price: 589 €
Specification: nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-mc-50mm-f2.8

Canon Macro Lens 35 mm

The Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS Macro STM is a macro lens that enables close-up photography with a minimum focus distance of 0.17m and a maximum magnification of 1:2. For macro photography enthusiasts, it offers the ability to capture fine details and textures. The 35mm wide-angle focal length and high f/1.8 aperture allow you to create images with beautiful background blur to emphasise your subject. IS image stabilisation and silent STM autofocus make it an excellent choice for dynamic macro photography and low-light conditions.

Price: 479 €
Specification: canon.co.uk/lenses/rf-35mm-f-1-8-macro-is-stm-lens/specifications

Focal Lengths 90-105 mm

These are the most popular macro lenses, offering a comfortable working distance and high quality images. They are suitable for most macro photography applications, from photographing flowers to insects. These lenses, such as the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, are valued for their versatility and ability to produce sharp, detailed images at a comfortable distance from the subject.

NIKON Macro Lens 105 mm

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a macro lens designed for the Nikon Z mirrorless system that offers 1:1 magnification, allowing you to shoot subjects at their true scale. Equipped with VR Vibration Reduction, this lens allows handheld shooting with less risk of blur, which is crucial when working with the shallow depth of field typical of macro photography. Its high optical quality and f/2.8 aperture make it ideal for achieving detailed and sharply defined images with beautiful bokeh, both in the studio and in the field. This lens is highly regarded by professionals for its precision, sharpness and versatility in macro photography.

Price: 530 €
Specification: nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/lenses/mirrorless/nikkor-z-mc-105mm-f2.8-vr-s

Canon Macro Lens 100 mm

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a professional L-series macro lens that delivers exceptional image quality and full 1:1 magnification, allowing users to shoot life-size detail. Integrated IS image stabilisation compensates for camera shake, which is invaluable for handheld macro photography. Its f/2.8 aperture not only provides excellent low-light performance, but also allows depth-of-field control to create images with beautifully blurred backgrounds. The lens is prized for its rugged construction and image quality, making it a favourite among professional macro photographers.

Price: 1 149 €
Specification: canon.co.uk/lenses/rf-100mm-f2-8l-macro-is-usm

Focal Lengths 150-200 mm

Long focal length macro lenses are ideal for photographers who need a long working distance. This is particularly useful when photographing shy insects or other small subjects that may be frightened by the photographer’s approach. Lenses such as the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED not only offer greater comfort, but also reduce the risk of casting a shadow on the subject.

Canon Macro Lens 180 mm

Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM is an L-series macro lens, providing photographers with the ability to capture detail at a greater distance with its long focal length. It is the solution for photographing subjects where keeping your distance is crucial or simply convenient. The lens offers a magnification of 1:1, allowing subjects to be photographed at their actual size with a minimum focus distance of 48 cm. Its optical design guarantees exceptional image quality and the ultrasonic autofocus mechanism (USM) ensures fast, quiet and precise focusing. Although it is one of the larger and heavier macro lenses, its rugged construction and image quality make it a favourite choice of many professionals specialising in macro photography.

Price: 1450 €
Specification: canon.co.uk/lenses/ef-180mm-f-3-5l-macro-usm-lens

Phone Macro Lens

The macro lens for the phone makes smartphones even more advanced devices in photography. Macro photography has thus become accessible to a wider audience. These inconspicuous but powerful accessories enable smartphone users to explore the micro world without investing in expensive photographic equipment.

A macro lens for the phone, they are often available as an overlay on top of the phone’s built-in camera lens. They allow high magnification and photography of small objects at very close range. This allows users to capture details invisible to the naked eye, such as the texture of a leaf, dewdrops on flower petals or the subtle textures of everyday objects.

However, it is worth noting that the quality and capabilities of macro lenses for phones can vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer. Some of these lenses offer magnification ratios of 10x, 15x and even 20x, which significantly exceed the capabilities of standard lenses built into phones.

When using a macro lens for your phone, stability is important – even slight vibrations can affect the sharpness of the photo. Therefore, the use of a tripod or other stabilisation methods is recommended. In addition, optimum results often require good quality lighting; in some cases, additional light sources may be required.nek magnification of 10x, 15x and even 20x, which significantly exceeds the capabilities of standard lenses built into phones.

While macro lenses for phones may have some limitations, such as a shallower depth of field or lighting difficulties, their low price, portability and ease of use make them an excellent option for beginning macro enthusiasts and for those who want to experiment with macro photography without a significant investment.

When To Use a Macro Lens?

Macro lenses are used in many different fields of photography. Thanks to their unique properties, they are indispensable in situations where we need to capture fine details that are not visible to the naked eye. Below are the key areas where macro lenses demonstrate their full capabilities.

Product Photography

Our favourite – product photography. Especially when photographing jewellery, electronics or cosmetics, macro lenses are invaluable. They make it possible to show products in detail, highlighting texture, colour and features that can catch the eye of potential customers. A well-crafted macro photograph can significantly influence the consumer’s perception of a product.

Nature Photography

Nature photography is one of the most popular uses of macro lenses. They allow small elements of the natural world, such as plants, flowers, insects or dewdrops, to be explored and documented. Macro lenses allow photographers to convey the texture and beauty of natural objects in ways that would not be possible with standard lenses. For example, using a lens with a focal length of 100mm and a magnification ratio of 1:1, it is possible to capture small insects in their full glory while maintaining natural proportions and detail.

Fine Art Photography

Macro photography also offers tremendous opportunities for artists seeking new modes of expression. By manipulating depth of field, light and perspective, photographers can create abstract compositions that attract attention and intrigue. Details such as the texture of a leaf, water droplets on glass or patterns on the wings of a butterfly can become the main characters of artistic photographs.

Medical and scientific applications

In medicine and the biological sciences, macro lenses are used to document experimental results, details of plant and animal anatomy and a variety of biological processes. Photographs taken with macro lenses can serve as important educational and research material.

A macro lens is indispensable for any situation that requires capturing small details that are often invisible to the naked eye. Whether capturing the beauty of nature, the details of products, creating artistic compositions or scientific documentation, macro lenses open up new possibilities for photographers of all levels.

4 Tips for Good Macro Photography

Macro photography, although offering countless artistic and scientific opportunities, also requires patience, precision and an understanding of a few key technical aspects. Here are a few practices to help you get the best results with macro lenses.

1. Choice of Lighting

Lighting is one of the most important elements in macro photography. Ideal lighting conditions improve the quality of the images, highlighting the details and textures of the subject being photographed. For macro photography, it is theoretically recommended to use soft, diffused light to avoid hard shadows and reflections. Many people use special macro or ring lights to ensure even illumination of the subject from all sides.

Check also: How To Photograph Products in Natural Light

Camera Settings

Camera stability is absolutely crucial in macro photography due to the very shallow depth of field and high magnification, which can accentuate even the slightest shake. It is advisable to use a sturdy tripod and a remote shutter release or self-timer function on the camera to minimise the risk of camera shake during the shot.

3. Focus Techniques

Although modern macro lenses are equipped with advanced autofocus systems, many professionals still rely on manual focusing to achieve maximum precision. In macro photography, even the slightest shift in the focus point can change the entire image. With manual focusing, the photographer has full control over which part of the subject will be most clear. Try a hybrid solution. Using autofocus with a slight manual correction at the end.

Check also: Autofocus What Is It?

4. Accessories

Accessories such as intermediate rings and macro converters can further increase the zoom ratio of a macro lens, opening up new possibilities for photographers. Intermediate rings, mounted between the lens and the camera body, increase the focal distance, allowing an even closer approach to the subject being photographed. Tripods, especially those with a ball head, allow stable and precise camera positioning.

As the famous photographer Ansel Adams said, “There is nothing worse than a sharp image of an uninteresting subject.” This is a reminder that while technique and equipment are important, the creative intent and artistic vision behind each photograph is the most important.

The Most Popular Lenses

Choosing the perfect macro lens can be complex due to the wide range of models available on the market.

Let’s pick three popular macro lenses: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM, Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED and Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS. All three offer a 1:1 zoom ratio, allowing you to photograph life-size subjects, but differ slightly in specifications and features.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM – This lens is praised for its exceptional sharpness, Hybrid IS image stabilisation and fast and quiet autofocus system. It is an excellent choice for professional photographers who need a reliable tool for macro photography.

Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED – It features excellent image quality, an integrated Vibration Reduction (VR) function for handheld shooting and effective autofocus. It is valued by amateurs and professionals alike.

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS – It offers exceptional sharpness and contrast, OSS optical stabilisation and a quiet and precise autofocus system. It is a great choice for Sony camera users who want to explore the world of macro photography.

Prices vs. Possibilities

When choosing a macro lens, it is important to weigh the value for money. All the models listed offer high image quality and are equipped with advanced technology, but their prices can vary significantly. The choice of a particular model should be dictated by individual needs, budget and compatibility with your existing equipment.

Reviews

Before making a final choice, it is also a good idea to read the opinions of other users. Online forums, reviews and comparisons can provide valuable information on the real-world performance of lenses in different conditions. Remember, the best lens is the one that best suits your needs and working style.

Summary

Macro photography opens the door to a fascinating world full of amazing details that normally go unnoticed. Through a macro lens, the finest elements of nature, product details or subtle textures become the main protagonists of our photographs. The right choice of macro lens can make a significant difference to the quality and effectiveness of our work.

When reviewing the different types of macro lenses, remember that each lens has specific characteristics and is adapted to different shooting conditions. Whether you are interested in nature photography, product photography or artistic exploration, there is a macro lens perfectly suited to your needs.