The winner is… Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon’s Z-mount 105mm leaves the competition in its wake

If you’re into macro photography and you use a DSLR, the Nikon Z MC 105mm is such an epic lens that it’s worth buying it anyway and swapping to a mirrorless camera. Everything about its handling, all-round performance and image quality is so spectacular that it puts every other Nikon-fit macro lens in the shade. The Z MC 50mm is also an excellent lens, but its short working distance for full 1x magnification makes it less practical for macro. For full-frame and APS-C format DSLRS, the Tamron 90mm is our favourite macro lens. It delivers superb image quality and has a hybrid image stabilizer that works really well for close-ups as well as in general shooting. For our money, it beats Nikon’s F-mount 105mm Macro and is better value for money.

On a tighter budget, the Sigma 105mm lens is the one to go for. It has a regular (rather than hybrid) stabilizer but it works a treat for general shooting, and has a switchable panning that’s great for sports and wildlife photography. And if you want to go extra-large on magnification, there’s no substitute for the Laowa 100mm, with its mighty 2.0x macro facility, available in both F-mount and Z-mount options. The Irix 150mm is another manual-focus lens but its longer focal length pays dividends for shooting bugs and other timid wildlife, from a more discreet distance.