Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro £580/$650

What’s good: Hybrid stabilizer, impressive build quality, excellent all-round performance. What’s bad: Considerably pricier than Sigma’s 105mm lens in the UK and Europe. Our verdict: It’s our favourite macro lens for shooting on both DX and FX format cameras.

We’ve been impressed by Tamron’s flurry of ‘Super Performance’ prime lenses and second-generation zooms. Tamron seems to be concentrating on top build and image quality, while keeping prices fair. The latest edition of the 90mm VC USD Macro is a good example, delivering excellent all-round performance and incorporating a ‘hybrid’ stabilizer unique among Nikon-fit macro lenses. By comparison, Nikon’s 105mm VR lens is less impressive and more expensive. Our second choice is the Sigma 105mm OS. It doesn’t have a hybrid stabilizer and its image quality isn’t as sharp as Tamron’s, but it’s a lovely lens and an absolute bargain. Sigma’s 150mm OS lens is more viable if you want a greater working distance for extreme close-ups. Given working distances tend to be short for DX format macro lenses with smaller focal lengths, we prefer using FX format lenses, even when shooting close-ups on DX format cameras.