A macro lens provides a new way to look at the world. When you’re so close to a tiny subject, you start to see details that are invisible to the naked eye. Insects look like they’re from Star Wars, flowers have intricate parts, and the colors are more prominent. Even everyday things like a key or a spiderweb take on a new look.
Macro lenses are specialized so that they magnify the world without adding distortion. Most telephoto lenses have a focal length of 80mm or longer, which allows them to do double duty as a portrait lens.

This guide helps you pick the right macro lens for your system without wasting time sorting through dozens of similar-looking options. We chose lenses that consistently deliver sharp detail, smooth focus handling, and reliable performance across Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds, and L-Mount. And because macro photography can be demanding, we highlight the strengths and trade-offs you should expect before buying.

Our Picks

This guide highlights the strongest macro lenses across each major mount. Macro photography depends heavily on magnification, working distance, stabilization, and optical clarity. The lenses selected here consistently deliver reliable performance in real-world close-up shooting, from product photography to insects and fine-detail textures.

Canon’s RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM leads the pack with its extended 1.4x magnification and close-range stabilization, making it one of the most flexible macro options for full-frame shooters. Nikon’s Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S remains the benchmark in the Z system thanks to its long working distance, vibration reduction, and consistently sharp S-line optics. Sony’s FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS brings 1.4x magnification and optical stabilization to E-mount, offering close-up capability that goes beyond traditional one-to-one.

For Fujifilm users, the XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro provides true one-to-one reproduction, optical stabilization, and weather sealing, making it the strongest APS-C macro in the system. Micro Four Thirds shooters get the highest-magnification autofocus option available with the OM System 90mm f/3.5 Macro IS PRO, which delivers 2x life reproduction and has in-lens stabilization. And for L-mount, Sigma’s 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art combines strong optical consistency with a comfortable working distance, making it the most balanced all-around macro choice for Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma bodies.

Our Picks at a Glance

Canon RF

Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

What We Think

The Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a full-frame macro lens offering 1.4-times magnification. Hybrid Image Stabilization helps control motion at close distances. Weather sealing and L-series optics make it suitable for outdoor and studio macro work.

Reasons to Buy

• 1.4× magnification provides more reach than standard 1× macros
• Hybrid IS helps stabilize close-range handheld work
• Weather-sealed build for outdoor macro shooting
• Consistent sharpness across the frame.

Reasons to Avoid

• Focus shift can appear at certain distances
• Larger and heavier than many competing 100mm macros
• Not the quietest AF at very close focus distances

Specifications

• Magnification: 1.4 times
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.26 meters
• Stabilization: Hybrid Image Stabilization
• Weight: 730 grams

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I’ve shot with the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8. It’s the most capable all-around macro lens in Canon’s system because it goes past the traditional 1× limit, and is still a great portrait lens. Being able to shoot at 1.4× magnification gives you more room to work with smaller subjects without needing adapters or diopters, and the Hybrid IS actually very useful when shooting handheld at very close distances. It also transitions well outside strict macro shooting — the working distance and rendering make it a solid choice for product photography and controlled studio setups.

Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro

What We Think

The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 provides two-times life-size magnification for extremely small subjects. Its apochromatic design reduces chromatic aberration at close range. Manual focus enables precise adjustments for controlled macro shooting.

Reasons to Buy

• True 2× magnification without accessories
• Apochromatic optics reduce fringing at close focus
• Good working distance for a 2× lens
• Solid build with minimal focus breathing

Reasons to Avoid

• Manual-focus only
• No weather sealing
• No image stabilization
• Can be challenging handheld at 2×

Specifications

• Magnification: 2x
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.25 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 638 grams

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This lens is one of a handful of third-party lenses for Canon, and it’s a great macro lens as long as you don’t need to rely on autofocus. Since so many macro photographers change focus by moving the camera, the lack of autofocus is less of a problem than, say, in a portrait lens. This great lens is available for several mounts, and while it’s one of the oldest lenses in this guide, it holds up incredibly well against newer glass.

Nikon Z

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Nikkor

What We Think

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S delivers consistent sharpness across the frame. Its 105‑millimeter focal length provides a useful working distance for insects and product photography. Vibration Reduction improves handheld stability during macro shooting.

Reasons to Buy

• High optical quality
• Strong macro performance
• Useful working distance

Reasons to Avoid

• Reduced autofocus speed at close range
• Limited stabilization on some models
• Working distance challenges at higher magnifications

Specifications

• Magnification: One times
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.29 meters
• Stabilization: Vibration Reduction
• Weight: 630 grams

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The Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is Nikon’s most consistent macro performer, offering strong optics, a useful working distance, and stabilization that makes handheld macro more realistic. At 1× magnification, the lens maintains clarity from edge to edge, which is a big deal when you’re shooting small subjects with complex textures.

The S-line coatings help keep contrast stable even in patchy natural light.

When not shooting macro images, the lens is a good (but not amazing) short telephoto lens. Autofocus performance for non-macro shots is good, but again not on the level of Nikon’s portrait-specific lenses.

Beyond macro, it doubles well as a general-purpose short telephoto. The rendering is clean, the weight is manageable, and autofocus performance is predictable for both macro and non-macro shoots.

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2× Ultra Macro APO (Z mount)

What We Think

The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 is designed for mirrorless systems and provides two-times magnification. Its compact build is unusual for a lens capable of extreme macro work. Apochromatic optics help preserve clarity and color accuracy at close distances.

Reasons to Buy

• True 2× magnification in a compact design

• APO optics control color fringing well

• Lightweight for an extreme-macro lens

• Specifically optimized for mirrorless flange distance

 

Reasons to Avoid

• Manual-focus only

• No stabilization

• Very short working distance at 2×

• Not weather sealed

 

Specifications

• Magnification: 2x
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.20 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 619 grams

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The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 is compact for a lens that captures up to 2x life-size magnification, a range I refer to as “hyper macro.”

This lens was designed specifically for mirrorless cameras instead of being an SLR-era lens with a built-in adapter. I have not tested this lens personally, but have seen images from this lens, and they’re excellent, especially considering the lens is about a third as expensive as the Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM.

As with most Laowa macro lenses, it’s a manual-focus lens that takes a bit more patience to get a perfect shot, but many photographers use manual focus instead of autofocus for this hyper-macro range.

This lens is also available for Sony’s E-Mount.

Sony E

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS

What We Think

The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS offers 1.4-times magnification for close-up subjects. Optical SteadyShot stabilization supports handheld shooting. The floating-focus system maintains detail during close-range adjustments.

Reasons to Buy

• 1.4× magnification extends macro capability beyond 1×
• OSS provides useful stability in low-light or handheld macro
• Excellent frame-wide sharpness and contrast
• Smooth focus transitions for close-up video work

 

Reasons to Avoid

• On the heavier side for Sony macro options
• Focus breathing is visible at some distances

Specifications

• Magnification: 1.4 times
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.25 meters
• Stabilization: Optical SteadyShot
• Weight: 715 grams

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Sony’s 100mm GM macro is my Editor’s Choice pick for macro lenses, and it’s one of the best macro lenses ever built. Optical quality blows me away, and autofocus is driven by Sony’s linear motors, with a total of four motors to drive the AF. Optical Steady Shot adds several stops of image stabilization, which makes handheld macro shooting easier than with any other macro I’ve used. At 1.4x life, macro images are already amazing, but the 2x teleconverter allows you to shoot at nearly 4x life size.

It is also a great portrait lens, giving you two lenses for the price of one.

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (Sony E)

What We Think

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art provides a longer working distance for insects and detailed textures. Its mirrorless‑optimized optics ensure consistent frame-wide sharpness. The aperture ring and customizable functions allow flexible control for macro techniques.

Reasons to Buy

• True 2× magnification in a compact package
• APO design limits fringing at close distances
• Good balance on L-mount bodies
• Extremely high detail at maximum magnification

 

Reasons to Avoid

• Reduced autofocus speed at close range
• Limited stabilization on some models
• Working distance challenges at higher magnifications

Specifications

• Autofocus Motor Type: HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
• Image Stabilization: No (Relies on IBIS)
• Lens Mount Compatibility: Sony E (Full-Frame)
• Weather Sealing: Dust and Splash Resistant Structure & Water-Repellent Coating

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This lens was in my kit before the 100mm Sony came out, and it’s a great third-party macro lens.

The Sigma 105mm DG DN Art offers a solid working distance at 1× life, which makes it easier to photograph insects or small objects. Sigma optimized this version specifically for mirrorless bodies, and it has great image quality across the whole frame. The aperture ring adds control for careful exposure adjustments during macro sessions. I think all lenses, at least all high-end lenses, should have an aperture ring.

It’s also a lens that handles general telephoto tasks well, which allows it to shoot non-macro too. It has great rendering and almost no chromatic aberrations. For Sony shooters who want a predictable, well-built macro lens that doesn’t break the bank, this is the go-to choice.

Fujifilm X

Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro

Reasons to Buy

• True 1× magnification with strong edge-to-edge sharpness
• Effective stabilization for handheld macro
• Fast, accurate linear-motor AF
• Weather-sealed for outdoor fieldwork

Reasons to Avoid

• Large and heavy for an APS-C lens
• AF slows near the minimum focus distance
• Higher price than most Fuji primes

Specifications

• Magnification: 1x
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.25 meters
• Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization
• Weight: 750 grams

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The XF 80mm f/2.8 is an image-stabilized 1× magnification lens with sharp contrast across the frame. The linear-motor AF system holds focus well even when subjects shift slightly, which is helpful for insects that don’t like to sit still. Most of Fujifilm’s lenses have weather sealing and sturdy construction, and this is no exception.

This lens is larger than many Fuji primes, but the performance justifies the bulk. The stabilization helps with handheld shots, and the image quality stays consistent even in tricky mixed lighting. It’s the lens that gives Fujifilm shooters the least amount of problems when they need reliable close-up detail.

I’ve only shot this lens for product reviews, but I have seen countless examples of the image quality from this nice piece of glass.

Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2× Macro APO (X mount)

What We Think

The Laowa 65mm f/2.8 is a lightweight macro lens that offers two-times magnification. Its apochromatic design minimizes fringing for cleaner close‑up detail. The compact size makes it useful for field macro photography.

Reasons to Buy

• High optical quality
• Strong macro performance
• Useful working distance

Reasons to Avoid

• Reduced autofocus speed at close range
• Limited stabilization on some models
• Working distance challenges at higher magnifications

Specifications

• Magnification: 2x
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.17 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 335 grams

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Laowa appears in this guide many times because they make a line of solid macro lenses. I’ve used several of them and have not been let down. This 65mm f/2.8 is a compact APS-C macro lens that still manages to deliver 2× lifesize magnification, which is rare at this lens size. The apochromatic design helps control chromatic aberration, keeping image detail, especially when you’re working extremely close. Its small size makes it easy to carry, which is one of the main advantages of APS-C.

It’s a manual focus lens, but for macro lenses, autofocus isn’t as important as with something like a sports lens. It gives Fuji shooters access to magnification levels beyond what the native lineup offers.

Micro Four Thirds

Olympus 60mm f/2.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED

Reasons to Buy

• Compact and lightweight for travel or field macro
• True 1× magnification
• Internal focusing prevents lens extension near subjects
• Weather-sealed construction

 

Reasons to Avoid

• No stabilization
• Shorter working distance than 90mm option
• AF slows at very close distances

Specifications

• Magnification: One times
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.19 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 185 grams

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I don’t shoot Micro Four Thirds often, but when I’m shooting MFT and want a macro lens, this is a great one to pick. It’s not the newest or the fastest, but it has great image quality.

This is an older Olympus lens that has been brought along in the transition from Olympus to OM Systems, but even as an older lens, it’s a great performer.

L-Mount

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art (L‑mount)

What We Think

The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art offers strong optical performance and a long working distance. An aperture ring enhances manual exposure control. The lens maintains high contrast and detail at life‑size magnification.

Reasons to Buy

• High optical quality
• Strong macro performance
• Useful working distance

Reasons to Avoid

• Reduced autofocus speed at close range
• Limited stabilization on some models
• Working distance challenges at higher magnifications

Specifications

• Magnification: One times
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.295 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 710 grams

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This is the same lens featured in the Sony and Nikon section, only with a mount for Sigma’s L-Mount Alliance, a lens standard shared by several manufacturers. You can find more information on this lens above.

Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2× Ultra Macro APO (L‑mount)

What We Think

The Laowa 90mm f/2.8 provides two-times magnification while remaining compact for a lens with this capability. Apochromatic optics reduce fringing at close distances. At 619 grams, it offers extreme macro reach without excessive bulk.

Reasons to Buy

• True 2× magnification in a compact design
• APO optics control color fringing well
• Lightweight for an extreme-macro lens
• Specifically optimized for mirrorless flange distance

Reasons to Avoid

• Manual-focus only
• No stabilization
• Very short working distance at 2×
• Not weather-sealed

Specifications

• Magnification: 2x
• Minimum Focus Distance: 0.20 meters
• Stabilization: None
• Weight: 619 grams

• Shop at Amazon

This is the same lens featured in the Sony and Nikon section, only with a mount for Sigma’s L-Mount Alliance, a lens standard shared by several manufacturers. You can find more information on this lens above.

The post Best Macro Lenses for Photographers: Our top Picks Across all Major Mounts appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Initially disclosed as a development announcement back in September 2022, OM Digital Solutions has now fully unveiled their next OM System lens, the M.Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO. The third macro lens in their Micro Four Thirds system lineup, the 90mm F3.5 is both the longest focal length macro lens they’ve ever made, with a 180mm-eq. focal length, and also the first Pro-series macro lens for OM System cameras.

OM Digital Solutions, or Olympus at the time, debuted the 60mm F2.8 Macro lens all the way back in 2012. A fairly specialized macro lens, it offered a 120mm-equivalent focal length and full 1:1 macro capabilities. And while not a “Zuiko Pro” series lens — as that line wasn’t even a thing yet (Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds camera system was still fairly new around that time) — it was one of the few Olympus lenses with a splashproof design. A few Photokinas later, and Olympus released the 30mm F3.5 Macro lens. This tiny, lightweight lens offered a 60mm-eq. focal length and an impressive 1.25x maximum magnification factor. Although, it does lack several of the bells and whistles of the longer 60mm lens.

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But now, OM Digital Solutions has pulled out all the stops for their most advanced and highest-end macro lens to date. In addition to a longer focal length, the lens features even more powerful macro capabilities, with up to 2x magnification (4x in 35mm-eq.) or even more magnifying powers up to 4x when combined with OM’s 1.4x or 2x teleconverters. Further, there’s on-board optical image stabilization, IP53-rated weather-sealed construction, AF/MF clutch with focus and magnification markings and much more! At around $1500, it’s undoubtedly a pro- and enthusiast-oriented lens, and one that’s much more expensive than their other two macro lenses. However, it’s their most powerful and feature-rich macro lens, so if you’ve been looking for the “ultimate field macro lens,” the new OM 90mm F3.5 Macro IS Pro lens has all the boxes checked.

I’ve been fortunate to have an early look at OM’s latest lens, so in addition to a full rundown of features and specs, let’s also take a closer look (no pun intended) at how this new macro lens performs in the field!

OM-1: 90mm, F14, 1/60s, ISO 200

Key Features & Specs

• 90mm telephoto macro lens (180mm in 35mm equivalence)
• F3.5-F22 aperture range
• Up to 2x magnification (4x in 35mm eq); minimum focusing distance of just 0.224m (8.8in)
• Up to 4x macro magnification (8x in 35mm eq) when using 2x teleconverter
• Manual focus clutch with focusing distance and magnification markings
• Autofocus capable across full focusing range, even at macro distances
• IP53 weather sealing
• Lens IS with Sync IS compatibility with up to 7 stops of stabilization
• Compatible with all OM System Cameras
• Weight: 453g (15.98 oz)
• Dimensions (D x L): 68.9mm x 136mm [2.7 in x 5.4 in]
• 62mm filter thread
• MSRP: $1499.99 US ($2049.99 CAD)
• Shipping: March 9th, 2023

Design and Handling

As with most Micro Four Thirds lenses, the new OM 90mm F3.5 Macro is smaller and lighter than an equivalent lens for a full-frame system, such as the Canon EF 180mm F3.5L Macro lens, for instance. The OM 90mm Macro lens comes in at just 453g, or right at one pound. The lens has a pretty thin and narrow tube-like shape, with a fairly long barrel (at least compared to OM’s previous macro lenses) and a pretty small diameter. The lens measures 136mm (5.35 in) in length and a diameter of just 69.8mm (2.75 in). The 90mm lens has a filter thread of 62mm, which is the same filter size as several of their existing Pro lenses, such as the 12-40mm F2.8 Pro II and all three of the F1.2 Pro primes — comes in handy if you want to share filters.

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Despite the larger size of the lens compared to the Olympus 60mm Macro and especially the 30mm F3.5 Macro, the new 90mm F3.5 still feels impressively compact and light when you pick it up. The build quality is solid, just like I’ve experienced with other Zuiko Pro lenses, but this lens doesn’t feel hefty at all — which is great. Visually, too, the larger size fits nicely with OM’s higher-end cameras, such as the OM-1 or with my E-M1 II. The tiny 60mm macro lens is dwarfed by these cameras, whereas the 90mm balances really well, both physically and just in appearance.

As part of OM’s “Zuiko Pro” series of lenses, the 90mm F3.5 Macro lens features the best of the best when it comes to build quality and weather-sealing. The barrel and lens mount are made entirely out of metal, and the lens shares the same impressive IP53-rated weather-sealed construction as their flagship OM-1 camera. Though, of course, the lens is not waterproof, the lens is securely sealed against moisture, dust and freezing temperatures down to -10 degrees C (14 degrees F). The lens also has a fluorine coating on the front element for additional protection and easy cleaning of dust, moisture and oils. Like their pro cameras, the 90mm Macro lens is designed with outdoor adventures in mind, no matter the weather conditions.

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Looking at the lens’s exterior features, one of the most notable features of the 90mm Macro lens is the large focusing ring and AF/MF clutch mechanism. Like most (but not all) of OM’s Pro-series lenses feature a physical clutch mechanism to toggle the lens back and forth between autofocus and manual focus modes. Pulling the focusing ring back towards the camera engages manual focus mode and also reveals a focusing distance scale as well as magnification factors from 0.25x all the way to 2x, which I find very helpful. Want to make sure you’re shooting at exactly 1x or 2x macro magnification, simply rotate the focusing ring to your desired magnification setting and move the camera back and forth until you get your subject in focus. (However, speaking of autofocusing — which I’ll touch on more further down — AF does work throughout the lens’s full focusing range, even at macro distances!)

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The 90mm macro lens also includes small panel of controls, including a customizable lens function button, an image stabilization on/off switch and a three-way focus limiter switch. The focus limiter switch lets you dial in how much autofocus range you have, which depending on your shooting situation, can help speed up AF performance. The slider switch has a position for full* focus range (0.25m to infinity), a close-up range of 0.25 to 0.5m (down to 1x macro magnification), and then an even higher-powered macro mode (“S Macro”) that lets you autofocus down to 2x magnification, or 0.224m (4x in 35mm-eq.).

(* Normal autofocusing range is from 1x macro to infinity, or from 0.25m to infinity. You’ll need to switch into the “S Macro” mode if you want to autofocus closer than the 1x magnification level.)

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Now, on its own, the 90mm F3.5 Macro lens is an amazingly powerful macro lens that lets you get down to 2x magnification. However, if you want more magnification, you can add OM’s 1.4x or 2x teleconverters for even closer focusing performance. With the MC-20 2x TC attached, you can get full 4x macro magnification for some extreme close-up shooting performance — and you still have autofocus functionality.

The 90mm Macro lens also features built-in optical image stabilization, making it one of the few OM or Olympus lenses to have OIS. Like the 300mm F4 Pro and 12-100mm F4 Pro lenses, the 90mm Macro is compatible with Sync IS, and the lens’s IS will work in tandem with the camera’s body-based IS system for some impressive stabilization performance. OM doesn’t provide a spec for the number of stops of correction for the lens’s IS system alone, but together with a supported camera body, the 5-axis Sync IS is rated for up to 7 stops of stabilization.

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In the field, and especially when focusing at macro distances, vibrations are extremely noticeable, and when activated, the IS system does an incredible job and creating a smooth and steady view to help compose and focus your shots. Typically, with high-powered macro shooting, you really need to use a tripod, but the combination of autofocus and excellent image stabilization with the OM System 90mm Macro lens really makes it possible to shoot macro handheld. It’s quite impressive.

OM-1: 90mm, F18, 1/60s, ISO 200, -0.3EV

Image Quality

In terms of the OM 90mm F3.5 Macro lens’s optical design, the lens features a total of 18 elements arranged into 13 groups. The lens includes two Super ED elements, four ED elements, one Super HR and one HR lens. The array of ED and Super ED glass elements help suppress chromatic aberration and fringing, while the HR lens elements help ensure sharpness across the frame and also help reduce the size of the lens. OMDS also states that the defocused areas and the bokeh of this lens are designed to have minimal color bleeding. The lens also features their ZEROÂ (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating to help reduce ghosting and flare.

OM-1: 90mm, F5, 1/250s, ISO 200

Though I’ve only had a short amount of time to test out the new 90mm Macro lens so far, the image quality I’ve seen from this lens is definitely impressive — though given the excellent legacy of previous Zuiko Pro lenses, I wasn’t expecting poor performance. Images are extremely sharp, both at the center and in the corners — and even wide open. Despite being a macro lens, the 90mm F3.5 can work perfectly well as a normal short telephoto lens, too.

OM-1: 90mm, F3.5, 1/640s, ISO 200

When shooting macro shots, you’re probably not going to shoot at F3.5, as the depth of field will become incredibly shallow and you’ll only get a tiny sliver of your subject in focus. Fortunately, the 90mm works very well when used stopped down, even at very narrow apertures, such as F18, for example. Usually, stopping a lens done that much, you can experience some diffraction-related softness that you’d not see at wider apertures. This side effect can also be more noticeable on smaller sensor camera systems, but I am very pleased with the performance here with this lens. I took some test macro shots at F18, and the amount of incredibly fine detail I could see in the resulting photos is outstanding.

OM-1: 90mm, F18, 1/60s, ISO 200, -0.3EV

OM-1: 90mm, F18, 1/60s, ISO 200, -0.3EV

100% Crop

Focusing

I’ve mentioned a lot about the macro focusing capabilities of this lens already, but the 90mm F3.5 Macro lens can also be used for normal photo and video scenarios, too. The lens features a high-speed focusing system with dual focusing groups that are driven independently, which helps provide fast and precise AF performance.

With autofocusing available for macro shooting, too, the lens is easy to use with OM/Olympus cameras that feature in-camera Focus Stacking.

As mentioned, the minimum focusing distance with normal autofocusing range is 0.25m (9.84 in), but you can focus slightly closer when switched into S Macro mode. Here, you can focus down to 0.224m (8.82 in) for 2x macro magnification.

OM-1: 90mm, F16, 1/60s, ISO 200

Pricing & Availability

The OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO will go on sale in March 2023 for $1,499.99 in the U.S. and $2,049.99 CAD.

A full, in-depth review of the OM System 90mm F3.5 Macro IS Pro lens is in the works, so stay tuned for more. For an initial sampling of more real-world images, head over to our OMÂ 90mm F3.5 Macro Gallery.

The post Hands-on with OM System’s new high-end 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO lens appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Macro photography is a highly specialized genre of photography. It requires specific equipment, although it need not be a pricy endeavor, and it comes with its own set of challenges. If you’re new to photography, macro photography is extreme close-up photography of small subjects, like insects or flowers, to name a couple of examples. It can be daunting to try out an all-new kind of photography, especially when it has its own unique demands. Fortunately, talented macro photographer Micael Widell is here to help. Widell recently published a complete beginner’s guide video to macro photography. The video covers various topics, including how to work up close to subjects, the best camera and lenses for macro photography, depth of field, flash, focusing, camera settings and much more.

What about cameras and lenses, are there ‘best’ choices for macro photography? The good news is that if your camera is made in the last 10-15 years and allows you to change lenses (an interchangeable lens camera), you will be able to do macro photography. If you’re looking to buy a new camera, a mirrorless camera is a good bet because they offer many helpful features, like focus peaking and focus magnification. If you’re using a DSLR camera, you may have these same features available in your ‘Live View’ mode. A mirrorless camera has another advantage, though, an electronic viewfinder. You can typically manually adjust the brightness of the EVF, which can make it much easier to fine-tune manual focus when doing macro photography.

When it comes to lenses, they’re much more important than your camera. Specialized macro lenses can get quite expensive. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great value by opting for a third-party lens or a manual focus macro lens. You can also skip a macro lens altogether and get extension tubes compatible with lenses you already have. By using an extension tube, you create a gap between your lens and your camera, allowing you to focus closer. If you’re looking to get a macro lens, there are great options from many manufacturers, including Tamron, Sigma, Tokina, Venus Optics (Laowa), TTArtisans and more. Plus, every major camera manufacturer has a macro lens available for their camera system.

Widell has many more excellent macro photography tips in the video above. Be sure to watch the entire video to learn about all aspects of macro photography. If you want to go even more in-depth on a particular macro photography topic, check out Widell’s YouTube channel. To see more great macro images, visit his website and follow him on Instagram.

(Via Micael Widell)

The post Video: A complete guide to macro photography for beginners appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Since the Z6 and Z7 cameras launched alongside a trio of lenses in late 2018, Nikon has rapidly expanded its series of Nikkor Z lenses. Among the 16 existing Nikkor Z lenses, there are bright primes, fast zooms and affordable lenses. However, until today, there hasn’t been a macro lens in the lineup. Nikon has today expanded its Nikkor Z system lenses to a total of 18 (20 if you include the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters) with a pair of new Nikon Z MC primes.

‘As the first native micro Nikkor Z lenses, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm and Nikkor Z MC 50mm strengthen our expanding Z series lineup, adding yet another category of powerful optics,’ said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. ‘Together, both lenses represent a new category for the Nikkor Z lineup, yet each have their own personalities and advantages that creators are bound to love.’

Nikkor Z lineup as of June 2021

Before diving into the new lenses, it’s worth pointing out that Nikon refers to the lenses as ‘micro’ lenses rather than ‘macro’ lenses. This is because Nikon’s ‘Micro’ lenses incorporate reduction optics rather than enlarging optics. While its close-up lenses offer a 1:1 reproduction ratio, which puts them squarely in macro photography territory, the optics aren’t enlarging the subject. This article will use the term ‘macro’ because it’s essentially the industry standard.

Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8

The Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 lens is designed to be a compact macro lens. It’s portable while still allowing you to get very close to your subject. It’s also a faster lens than a standard kit lens. It’s essentially a standard prime lens with a bright maximum aperture and macro capabilities. The lens has a 1:1 maximum reproduction thanks to its minimum focus distance of 0.16m (0.53 feet).

Nikon Z5 with Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8

It’s not an S Line lens, but Nikon promises strong optical performance and smooth bokeh. It’s a small, sharp design with dust and drip resistance, although Nikon isn’t going so far as to say that it is weather sealed. The lens weighs only 260 grams (9.2 ounces), 40% lighter than the AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED lens. The new 50mm micro lens is 66mm (2.6″) long with a maximum diameter of 74.5mm (3″).

Nikkor Z 50mm f/2.8 S

The is not internally focusing. Rather, as you focus closer, the lens barrel extends, exposing minimum focus distance and reproduction ratio markings printed on the lens barrel. The lens has a control ring, which is also available to use for manual focus. The lens includes a metal mount a lens hood. The filter thread is 46mm.

In total, the lens includes 10 elements in 7 groups. There’s a single ED element and an aspherical element. Autofocus is driven using a combination of STM technology and a GMR stepping motor.

Nikkor Z 50mm f/2.8 S sample image, courtesy of Nikon

The Nikkor Z MC 50mm is also compatible with Nikon’s ES-2 film digitizing adapter set. You can screw this adapter set onto the front of the lens for digitizing 35mm film.

The Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 lens will be available starting June 24 for a suggested price of $649.95.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens is a 1:1 macro lens with built-in vibration reduction (VR). When paired with the in-body image stabilization (IBIS) available in some of Nikon’s Z cameras, including its Z6 and Z7 series cameras, the 105mm f/2.8 VR S promises up to 4.5 stops of VR. This is a full stop better than its F mount counterpart, which utilizes 2-axis stabilization rather than 5-axis stabilization. The MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is the third FX-format Z lens with built-in VR.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

To achieve 1:1 reproduction, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 0.29m (0.96′). At this distance, the lens has a maximum aperture of f/4.5 rather than f/2.8. This isn’t unusual for Nikon’s micro lenses, as it has been the case before, including with the AF Micro 105mm f/2.8D lens, which has a max aperture of f/5.0 at its 1:1 focusing distance. The AF Micro ED 200mm f/4 D ED lens slows down to f/5.3 at 1:1.

Nikkor Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Nikon promises reliable, smooth, quick and accurate autofocus performance with its new 105mm macro lens. The lens incorporates a multi-focus STM system. The multi-focus system comprises two motors moving a pair of distinct groupings of elements within the lens. This focusing system positively impacts image quality, promising less chromatic aberration, fringing, and color bleeding. In terms of autofocus speed, a new AF algorithm promises improved performance in changing light conditions. To improve focusing speed at macro distances, a focus limiter switch allows you to set the lens to focus only at close-focus distances to a maximum of 0.5m (1.6′).

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Along with the STM system, the lens promises edge-to-edge sharpness and clean bokeh due to advanced optical technologies. The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, unlike the Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8, is part of Nikon’s S Line. The S Line has an even higher standard than Nikon’s gold ring F mount lenses. As an S Line lens, the 105mm macro includes Nano Crystal Coating and ARNEO coating to suppress flare and ghosting effects. In terms of glass, the lens includes 16 elements across 11 groups. Among the 16 elements are a trio of ED elements and a single aspherical lens. The aspherical element is large and at the rear of the lens, which Nikon states help reduce field curvature from infinity to close-up.

Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S

The lens internally focuses, meaning that its length doesn’t change with focal distance. The lens is weather-sealed as well, ensuring it withstands the rigors of professional use. The front element also includes fluorine coating, making it scratch-resistant and easier to clean. The new macro lens includes a focus ring, lens function button, control ring, limiter switch and lens info panel. The info panel can display distance, aperture and ISO as well as reproduction ratio, which is a first for the Nikon Z system lens. You may also notice updated branding, in the form of a new metallic Nikkor S badge on the lens, which we expect to see on future S Line lenses.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S sample image, courtesy of Nikon

The lens weighs 630g (22.3 oz.), which is 90 grams lighter than Nikon’s F mount 105mm f/2.8 VR macro lens. The new Nikkor Z MC lens is 140mm (5.6″) long with a maximum diameter of 85mm (3.4″). The lens has a 62mm filter thread and ships with a round locking lens hood.

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S sample image, courtesy of Nikon

Nikon Ambassador Joey Terrill used the new 105mm lens ahead of its unveiling and had this to say, ‘The NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is unquestionably the most exceptional lens I’ve ever used. The clarity, color fidelity, and breathtaking sharpness are present in every image. Pictures feel textural and dimensional while maintaining stunning subject accuracy. It is the perfect match for the extraordinary resolution and expansive dynamic range of the Z camera sensors, and the nuance from tone to tone feels as pure as photography can be. It’s very likely this lens will be permanently affixed to my camera going forward.’

Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S sample image, courtesy of Nikon

The Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S lens will begin shipping on June 24 with a suggested retail price of $999.95.

Looking ahead

With the addition of these two new macro lenses, there are now 18 native Nikon Z lenses. However, Nikon will be releasing a couple more lenses later this year, the Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 40mm f/2. The compact and lightweight lenses are designed for full-frame Nikon Z cameras, and Nikon states that they will be ‘small, simple to use and great companions for both full-frame and DX-format Z series users.’

The upcoming Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 and Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 lenses

Looking ahead to next year, Nikon hopes to have as many as 29 lenses (including the teleconverters) by the end of 2022. The Z system hasn’t reached the level of the Nikon F mount, of course, but it’s making very rapid progress.

The post Nikon announces first macro Z lenses: Nikkor Z MC 50mm f/2.8 & Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Venus Optics has announced a pair of new Laowa lenses. The first is a 9mm f/2.8 wide-angle prime lens for Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts. The second lens is a full-frame macro lens, the 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro. Let’s look at them in turn.

The Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D lens has been rumored for a while and is finally coming to fruition. While pricing has not yet been disclosed, the lens is said to be arriving this April. The optic is designed for landscape, architectural, interior and night sky photographs in particular and employs a trio of special low dispersion (ED) lenses and a pair of aspherical lenses. In total, the lens has 15 elements in 10 groups. The distortion has been reduced to “zero” but if it’s like the 15mm f/2 Zero-D lens we’ve tested, there might still be a very small amount of distortion.

On the plus side, if it’s like other Laowa lenses we’ve used, it’ll also have excellent build quality. The lens is stated to be constructed using a metal enclosure and offer “excellent robustness and luxury.” The lens weighs around 7.5 ounces (215 grams), although the weight varies slightly depending on the lens mount. The lens has a close focus distance of 4.7 inches (12 centimeters).

Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D

If you want very close focus, then the simultaneously-announced Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro is the lens for you. The full-frame manual focus macro lens has shooting magnification up to 5x, which is very impressive. The working distance is a mere 1.6 inches (40 millimeters) at 5x magnification. To help maintain high image quality, even at very close focus distances, the macro optic utilizes an ultra low dispersion (UD) lens and each lens is coated with multilayer coating. In total, there are eight elements in six groups.

Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro

Like the 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D, the new 25mm macro is constructed using a metal enclosure and is designed to be robust. The lens is also surprisingly compact and lightweight, weighing in at 14 ounces (400 grams). The 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro lens will arrive in April with a retail price of US$399. The lens will be available for Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony FE mounts. You can see a review of the lens from a photographer, Photo by Richard, who had an early hands-on below.

(Via Fuji Rumors and Nikon Rumors)

The post Laowa announces pair of primes: 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D and 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5x Ultra Macro appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Happy Labor Day to our American readers. For today’s Shutter Release roundup, we are going to look at a wide array of content. We start with a look at a new Meike 85mm f/2.8 macro lens, then we will see how to turn your signature into a customized watermark, then see a video about 8-bit versus 16-bit images and finish with a quick video from SLR Lounge about creating better male portraits.

Shutter Release is a regular roundup feature here at Imaging Resource where we share content from around the web in a quick-hit rundown style.

Meike announces new 85mm f/2.8 macro lens for various mounts – Fuji Rumors

Fuji Rumors is reporting that Meike’s latest MK-85mm f/2.8 macro lens will be available for Fujifilm X mount in addition to the Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts listed in Meike’s product page. 43 Rumors is also reporting that it’ll be available for Micro Four Thirds mounts.

The manual focus lens has 11 lens elements across 8 groups and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.5. You can read more specifications for the lens here. It’s not clear when the lens will be releasing or how much it will cost.

Meike MK-85mm f/2.8 macro lens

Turning your signature into a watermark using Photoshop – Fstoppers

If you like to watermark your images, why not have it be very personal by using your signature? Learn how from start to finish in photoshopCAFE’s latest video below.

8-bit versus 16-bit images – tutvid

Bit depth can be a confusing topic, but tutvid’s latest video breaks down the differences in file quality, color and how editing in Photoshop changes between 8-bit and 16-bit image files.

How to use angle and lighting to create better male portraits – ISO 1200

SLR Lounge has made a video showcasing three simple steps you can take to give male portrait subjects a chiseled jawline.

The post Shutter Release: Meike 85mm macro lens, custom watermarks, 8-bit vs.16-bit & male portrait tips appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Interested in shooting macro photographs? Cool! What about ultra-wide angle images? Nice. What about wide-angle macro photos? Huh?

In traditional macro photography, the specialized macro lenses tend have longer focal lengths, somewhere between 50mm all the way out to 180mm, but it turns out there’s a whole sub-genre of macro photography done at wider angles. And it turns out that Chinese lens maker Venus Optics has a rather unique and powerful wide-angle macro lens: the Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro.

On the market for a few years now, this interesting lens is currently the widest angle lens that also offers true 1:1 macro magnifcation, and it works for full-frame DSLRs. An inexperienced macro photographer, but a big fan of the style nonetheless, I was thrilled to get the opportunity to test out this unique lens. As it turns out, the Laowa 15mm is a fairly tricky lens to work with; manual focus, manual aperture and its working distance at 1:1 is insanely short. But…when you nail it, you can come away with some excellent photos!

Canon 5DS R: 1/160s, ISO 3200, -0.3EV (Image has been edited.)

For all the details as well as various real-world photos, head over to my Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro Field Test!

• Laowa 15mm f/4 1:1 Macro Field Test •

The post Laowa 15mm f/4 Macro Lens Field Test: Super wide & super close lens is tricky to use but worth the work appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Canon released the PowerShot SX720 HS last year, a highly pocketable camera that paired a 24-960mm-equivalent lens with a 20.3-megapixel sensor. Canon has announced its successor, the PowerShot SX730 HS, which shares many features with its predecessor but adds a few new tweaks, including a tilting display, redesigned controls and Bluetooth connectivity, all while maintaining the same compact form factor. You can read more about the new camera here in our Canon SX730 HS preview. The camera is set to go on sale in June for around $400.

Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM lens

Canon has also announced a new macro lens addition to their series of EF-S lenses, the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM. The macro lens is the widest macro lens in their APS-C-specific lineup and is designed for entry-level and advanced amateur DSLR photographers.

The lens offers a 1:1 maximum reproduction ratio and includes a 7-blade rounded aperture diaphragm. The aperture range is f/2.8-32. Inside the lens, there is also a new glass molded (GMo) lens element. In total, there are 10 elements in 6 groups. The lens weighs in at a lightweight 6.7 ounces (190 grams) and is compact, with a maximum diameter of 2.7 inches (69.2 millimeters) and a length of 2.2 inches (55.8 millimeters). The lens takes a 49mm filter.

Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM

In addition to its unique focal length, the new macro lens is also the first in the series to include built-in LED Macro Lites on each side of the lens, which allow users to control lighting on the lens itself without the need for additional external lighting equipment. The LEDs had adjustable brightness levels and can also be controlled independently. Given the need to have the LEDs consistently located, the front element doesn’t rotate thanks to the internal focusing design.

The new lens includes Macro Lites, which are two LEDs, one on each side of the lens. The power of each light can be controlled independently.

To read more about the image stabilization-equipped wide-angle macro lens, see our landing page for the Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM. The lens will be released this June for around US$350.

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The post Canon unveils updated compact travelzoom and sheds light on new EF-S 35mm f/2.8 macro lens appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Wake up with IR! Here’s today’s cup of Caffeine Priority…

“Well, hey little guy. Aren’t you cute!”

This statement could very well be describing the small frogs and bumblebees I happened upon yesterday afternoon while using the new Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens. It could also be describing the macro lens itself! Announced at Photokina, the baby brother to Olympus’ highly-regarded 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens is not only light in weight but also on the wallet. These qualities make it a rather compelling option for those who have a curiosity about macro photography, but don’t want to shell out major bucks for a high-end macro lens, lighting, and tripod accessories.

Having just arrived at the IR headquarters a couple of days ago, I decided to take it out for a quick spin. I already have a few initial thoughts on this compact macro lens that I thought I’d share with everyone. For starters, it’s amazingly lightweight and compact. With a simple polycarbonate barrel, the lens feels solid and well made, yet without the slightest chance of weighing you down. Toss this guy into your bag and forget about it until you need it.

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A minor sticking point, to me at least, is the lack of weather sealing. The bigger 60mm f/2.8 macro is splashproof, but while that would be a nice feature to have on the 30mm lens as well, at $299, I’m not complaining.

My biggest hang-up with this lens, right from the get-go is the focal length. It’s too short. Walking around with the lens, I spotted a few bumblebees and a tiny frog. In order to get really close-up photos, I had to physically get the lens very close to the subjects to fill the frame. Thankfully, the cooler weather here made the bees very docile, and they remained perched on the flowers. I was able to get very close, but I had to be mindful that my lens wasn’t going to bump into them. A longer focal length, like that on the 60mm macro lens, would have been very helpful for live subjects such as these.

E-M1: f/3.5, 1/125s, ISO 400 (Handheld)
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100% crop from RAW.

As for image quality, so far I’m very impressed. When I was able to nail the focus — thanks a lot, windy day! — the lens produced very sharp photos with lots of detail. The close-focusing capability is also very impressive; I can basically have the subjects about a half an inch from the front of the lens, and it’ll still focus! While this in and of itself is pretty cool, you have to then be careful about lighting. I often found myself completely blocking the light on my subject with the camera and the lens, in particular.

E-M1: f/3.5, 4s, ISO 100 (Tripod)
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100% crop from RAW.

We’re obviously anxious to see how this lens performs in the lab, but so far, we’re expecting great results especially given Olympus’ performance in the past with macro lenses. For now, enjoy a few sample images shot with my Olympus E-M1. You can view a few resized images throughout this article, but jump over to the Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro Gallery to view full-resolution JPEGs and RAW files.

E-M1: f/3.5, 1/200s, ISO 400 (Handheld)
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E-M1: f/7.1, 8s, ISO 100 (Tripod)
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100% crop from RAW.

• Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro Sample Gallery •

Caffeine Priority is a series of short photo-tidbits to ease you into your day and give us a chance to share a bit more of what life’s like here at IR. We’re more like a group of friends testing and talking about cameras and lenses than the buttoned-down, big-corporation world that some of our photo-friends at other companies work in; hopefully, these little snippets will share some of that. So… grab another coffee and join in the conversation with us down below!

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The post Caffeine Priority: A quick test run with the new Olympus 30mm f/3.5 Macro lens appeared first on Imaging Resource.

Tamron’s been on a tear recently, releasing or announcing a number of redesigned, high quality lenses. The latest new model hitting our testing lab is the most recent edition of Tamron’s venerable 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens. Beginning last September with a pair of all-new f/1.8 stabilized primes — in the 35mm and 45mm varieties — Tamron appears to be taking aim at Sigma with its very own premium yet affordable lenses that offer high quality performance, as well as features like image stabilzation which aren’t often seen in competing optics from the bigger manufacturers.

Like its other recent SP-series lenses, the new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro (Model F017) undergoes the same cosmetic redesign with a smooth, matte black finish and a champagne-gold ring around the lens mount. Regarding the optical design itself, there’s not a lot of difference between this new model and the previous one — this can be considered, more or less, a refinement on that lens. There is, however, a fluorine coating on the front lens element for improved resistance to moisture, dirt and smudges. Additionally, the weather-sealing throughout the lens is said to be improved.

Nikon D800E: f/3, 1/1000s, ISO 100

As for the optical performance, this lens is fantastic. We’re talking tack-sharp images, even at f/2.8. And being a 1:1 macro lens, you’ll often find yourself stopping down quite a bit for true close-up work, and we found excellent sharpness all the way to f/22 with minimal diffraction-related softening. The lens can keep going, down to f/36, but that’s best avoided, we think. The lens’ other optical qualities are equally excellent, as is its image stabilization system.

For all the details, including our full testing results, lab sample images and real-world gallery photos, check out our in-depth Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Macro review.

Nikon D800E: f/20, 1/200s, ISO 125, -1.3EV
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Nikon D800E: f/5.6, 1/125s, ISO 100

– Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Review –

The post Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Review: Sleek, redesigned macro lens offers fantastic image quality appeared first on Imaging Resource.