SELECT A MACRO LENS

Macro lenses aren’t ideal for every subject. Choose the best for you

SHORT MACRO

AN AFFORDABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT OPTION, THESE LENSES USUALLY HAVE A FOCAL LENGTH OF 50MM OR 60MM AND ARE ESSENTIALLY A STANDARD LENS WITH A MACRO FUNCTION. THEY OFFER TRUE 1:1 IMAGES BUT REQUIRE VERY CLOSE WORKING DISTANCES, POTENTIALLY UNSUITABLE FOR SKITTISH SUBJECTS.

TELEPHOTO MACRO

A LENS IN THE 150MM TO 200MM RANGE ALLOWS A MUCH GREATER WORKING DISTANCE, ENABLING HIGH-MAGNIFICATION IMAGES OF INSECTS AND SMALL ANIMALS FROM SEVERAL METRES AWAY. THESE OPTICS ARE OFTEN FAR MORE EXPENSIVE AND HEAVY, BUT ARE ARGUABLY THE BEST PRO OPTION.

SPECIALIST

FOR ULTRA-HIGH MAGNIFICATION IMAGES WE CAN USE EXTENSION TUBES OR BELLOWS, BUT A FEW LENSES, SUCH AS THE CANON MP-E 65MM F/2.8 1-5X MACRO PHOTO, ENABLE GREATER THAN LIFE-SIZE SHOOTING. THESE ARE USUALLY USED FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES.