The universe of macro lenses could be called limited, but what you can do with these specialty lenses is definitely not. Whether it’s shooting little objects to make them appear larger than life, from up close or a distance, macros are the means to get those high-quality shots.
This is a gear choice where it definitely pays to invest in the best level of optics you can afford, because the benefit is in an outcome with fine details.
The best macro lenses for Canon cameras includes both brand and third party options, but before you select a lens, it’s a good idea to understand how it works. We’ll cover that first, along with other common questions about macro work, before we compare lenses.
Top 6 Macro Lenses for Canon DSLRs
Ranking | Lens | Mount | Focal Length | Minimum Focus Distance | Weather Sealing | Review | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro | EF; EF-S with adaptor | 100mm | 12 inches | Yes | Read Review | See Price on Amazon | |
#2 | Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro | EF; EF-S with adaptor | 65mm | 7 inches | No | Read Review | See Price on Amazon | |
#3 | Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM | EF-S only | 35mm (56mm equivalent) | 5 inches | No | Read Review | See Price on Amazon | |
#4 | Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM | EF; EF-S with adaptor | 180mm | 19 inches | Yes | Read Review | See Price on Amazon | |
#5 | Sigma APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM | EF; EF-S with adaptor | 180mm | 18 inches | No | Read Review | See Price on Amazon | |
#6 | Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro | EF; EF-S with adaptor | 90mm | 11 inches | No | Read Review | See Price on Amazon |
What Makes a Macro Lens Unique?
The optics and design of a macro lens allow you to take an image of something and make that subject appear larger than life in the end result. Simple, you say? Just enlarge the photo enough and it will make that happen, right?
Two problems occur with this method. First, you can’t get close enough to some subjects, like a flying insect, to capture the image in the maximum megapixel quality your sensor is capable of. They’d scare off and disappear before you could release the shutter.
Let’s say you do squeeze a shot from a foot away, though, and you zoom in and crop the photo in post-production. In that case, you lose image details, since the zoom and crop eliminate pixels from the final product. In this case, graininess and possible distortion occur.
What does a Macro Lens do?
Macro is essentially the opposite of wide angle. Where a Canon wide angle lens makes a big world fill the shot, a macro allows that little object to fill the screen. A fly is smaller than the sensor on your camera, and the image of it will therefore be larger than life when you take it.
Through the magic of optics, a macro lens allows you to get up close and personal with the subject without disturbing their environment enough to make them behave in an unacceptable way. This can be done from the minimum focusing distance, which varies based on the focal length of the lens. The longer the focal length (higher number), the further away you can be, because the focal length does the work of bringing the subject in close.
Another aspect of macro photography is the shallower depth of field. That’s the area behind your subject which blurs in the resulting image. Shallow means the blur increases, perfect for those shots where you want to see the antenna on that fly, but not the fact that it’s sitting in a dull patch of unappealing blandness.
How does a Macro Lens work?
The design of a macro increases the distance between the lens and the sensor. This greater distance allows your camera to magnify the subject many times over to create that larger than life effect. The longer this tube is, the shorter your focusing distance (distance from lens to subject) and the more intense your saturation of colors (or deepness of black and white) will be.
Macro lenses can be used for standard types of photography, but that magnification will be a constant no matter how far away you get. In other words, shoot a non-macro and a macro of the same focal length, and you will always seem like you’re closer in the macro’s resulting image. The good news is that this means macros can also be used as multipurpose lenses, too.
How magnified can the image appear?
Final magnification depends on how many additional adjustments you make to the lens. You can add length to the tube using extension tubes, separating the distance between lens and sensor even further.
You can also enlarge a photo with post-production adjustment to the size of the original image and see even more details, up the point where the sensor’s megapixels can capture them. It all depends on the reproduction ratio of the lens.
I know some of you will mention the macro setting on your point and shoot camera and how it creates big as life images. The formula to achieve this is based on sensor size and focusing distance, but it’s not true macro shooting, because it occurs through digital adjustments rather than light hitting the sensor.
Your image will suffer degradations in quality, color and light unless you’re using a macro lens and holding on to the pixel quality in your post-production processing.
What does reproduction ratio (or magnification) mean?
People become confused about this term, thinking that their zoom lens can capture an image that looks closer to the subject, so that must be part of the equation. The key is as large or larger than the subject is in real life. For practical purposes, a full frame sensor is 36mm x 24mm, or an inch and a half by an inch, and anything taller than an inch looking like an inch is macro.
The reproduction ratio is a rating on the lens that is, in effect, its times of magnification. It is expressed as 1:1, which is best thought of as (first number) times (second number). If you want to shoot a ladybug on a flower, you might be fine with a 1:1 ratio. Details on a snowflake call for something more like 10:1 achieved through a microscope.
For comparison, a standard lens of the same focal length but not designed as a macro might shoot a 1:10 reproduction ratio. That means the ladybug might be an indiscernible dot or blob in the resulting image and enlarging that only makes it more blob-like. Macros are any lens with a ratio of 1:1 or greater (first number); sometimes you’ll see this listed as the magnification ratio.
(Note that you’ll see some kit lenses with a label saying ‘Macro’ on the barrel. Before you assume that you already own a macro, look up the magnification for that specific lens. These lenses are often only .1x, or a tenth of a full macro’s power.)
Why is focusing distance important?
Focusing distance is how close the sensor (not the lens) can come to the subject and maintain a clear image. Again, the shorter the focal length, the closer you can be because the lens barrel is shorter. For Canon brand lenses, you’ll find the focusing distance listed on the barrel of your lens at the end nearest the body.
What does depth of field mean?
Depth of field refers to the area behind the subject. Shallower depth of field means the area where the lens focuses (field) is small. Anything further away (or forward, for that matter) will be blurry. Macros are designed for shallower depth of field.
This being said, the shorter the focal length, the less you’ll have that shallower effect. That’s why you’ll see shorter focal lengths being used for details in things like product or stationary object photos against monochrome backgrounds, while longer focal lengths are better for tiny animals and insects you’ll want to capture on the move in their natural setting. The sweet spot appears to be around 100mm for general purpose macro photography.
Is aperture value important?
As you can probably imagine, because the area you’re focusing on is small in this kind of photography, you want to make sure you get the light you need to bring out the details you’re seeking. Macro photography darkens the resulting image.
For this reason, you’ll commonly see macros with apertures in the range of f/2.8 to f/3.5. These are known as ‘fast’ lenses because they do not require the shutter to remain open longer than necessary to capture the image well. This reduces camera shake and blurring.
What should I look for in autofocusing for macro lenses?
Autofocus (AF) is important more because of the noise and speed than the function. If you’re shooting things that can move fast, you need that AF to zero in and lock on quickly. Things that frighten and change their behavior or disappear can be scared off by noise. We note any particulars about AF systems in the text of our lens comparisons.
Is a perspective control lens a macro lens?
Technically, a perspective control lens is a low reproduction ratio macro with the special ability to create a deeper but clear depth of field through tilt and shift technology. That means the area behind the subject isn’t blurry.
While this is a great feature for very specific kinds of images of large objects, we have not included a tilt and shift lens in our comparison because its magnification is less than the minimum standard of 1:1.
Why are macro lenses all prime lenses?
They don’t have to be. However, the complicated optics and design aspects mean they aren’t common, since the magnification would change as the focal length changes (like a microscope does). We found none experts recommended while researching this article.
Criteria for Selecting a Macro Lens
The universe of macro lenses for Canon mounts is small. You’ll see a lot of repetition in the focal lengths and apertures because they exist in a preferred focal length for macro photography. We’ve included common criteria you should consider based on the types of subjects you typically put at the end of your lens.
Canon Mount
Canon full frame cameras use lenses compatible with a Canon EF mount, the largest group available. Their lenses with EF-S mounts will not work on your camera body.
For APS-C crop sensor Canons like the wildly popular Rebel series, there are a few specific EF-S lenses. However, you can use an EF mount with an adaptor and no apparent issues.
Third-party lenses are often made with interchangeable mounts across different brands. Since those operate the interface between the autofocusing in the camera body and the lens, you’ll want to make sure you buy the right brand version. There were no macro lenses listed for Canon mirrorless cameras at the time of this comparison.
Focal Length
The easier your subject is to scare off or the more you want to capture it with its natural environment in the depth of field, the longer you will want your focal length to be. Something in the 50mm normal range is good for stationary objects. The sweet spot for many macro photogs is 100mm, a medium telephoto range. For even more working distance, look for those super telephoto lenses clustered around 200mm.
Keep in mind that the longer the focal length, the longer the lens, which can also translate into less handling capability. It’s always a good idea to consider a tripod when working with macros to stabilize those difficult close-in shots.
Reproduction Ratio
A macro lens has a minimum ratio of 1:1 or magnification of the image at full size on your sensor. The larger the first number, the more times of magnification, so a 5:1 (or 5x) magnifies something 5 times larger than life on your sensor. For most of us, 1:1 is going to make a substantial difference in our shots of small items.
Minimum Focus Distance
This refers to the closest you can have your sensor (or from a practical perspective, your pro or budget-level DSLR camera body) to your subject without creating distortion or blurring in your image. Consider this important if you plan to shoot static or stationary objects that will not be spooked by the lens’s interference. Still or inanimate objects are probably your best bets at the closest distance possible.
Aperture
The lower the aperture number, the wider the opening is, allowing more light into the lens to hit the sensor. Apertures of f/2.8 dominate the macro lens world because the cone of light entering the longer barrel needs that wide an opening to avoid making the subject appear to dark in the final image. This value becomes important if you’re planning to use your lens for other non-macro purposes too.
Image Stabilization
As you can imagine, shooting this close to something means every little shake of your hand translates into image blur. For this reason, having image stabilization (IS) aids you in capturing clear details on the first click. Keeping in mind that sometimes you won’t get the chance for a second, you’ll want to avoid the shake with IS, plus a tripod for back up.
If the lens does not have IS, consider the use of travel tripod a must. There are photogs who only shoot handheld, but most pros don’t recommend it. What sets macro images apart is the level of precise detail, something that even breathing can disrupt.
Weather Sealing
Since so much of our macro photography involves creatures in their natural environment, it stands to reason this will be outdoors. Not all lenses include weather sealing, which means those without it are more prone to damage by dust and water. Even those with weather sealing are not foolproof (or waterproof, even), but they are a little hardier than those without it.
Weight
Weight contributes to shake, which causes blur. Longer focal lengths and higher quality optics (like professional lenses) tend to be heavier. We’ve noted the weight for comparative purposes.
Rankings and Reviews
Here are reviewers’ and users’ six top picks for macro lenses for Canon full frame and crop sensor cameras.
#1. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro
- Canon mount: EF; EF-S with adaptor
- Focal length: 100mm
- Reproduction rate: 1x
- Minimum focus distance: 12 inches
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Weather sealing: Yes
- Weight: 1.38lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
This is by far the macro lens most reviewers and users rave about for Canon mounts, and if you can only afford one, this is it. Its medium telephoto range makes it ideal for macro shooting when you can’t afford to spook your subject. Its IS and weather sealing make it a good choice for outdoor work overall.
Features that make the Macro 100mm special include a focus distance limiter, which makes autofocusing faster and more accurate. Only subjects within the set range will be included in the AF function. It also has full time manual focusing, allowing you to fine tune your focusing if part of the subject you want to include in the shot is burred due to the depth of field.
The ring type ultrasonic AF motor is perhaps the quietest you’ll find for a DSLR. It freezes as soon as it locks on, so you can squeeze off your shot faster. Canon’s L designation assures you professional quality optics and manufacturing standards in this macro.
Considerations:
It’s hard to find anyone saying anything bad about this Canon lens in terms of features or construction. Some might find the autofocus to be slow as compared to zoom lenses, but this can be addressed by using the focus distance limiter. Others reported the IS to be a little noisy for shooting video.
In addition to the praise it receives for macro work, reviewers speak highly of its low light performance and general versatility across both full frame and crop sensor cameras. This is more than a special purpose lens, and a definite great addition to your sling gear bag if you regularly like to capture macro images.
#2. Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro
- Canon mount: EF; EF-S with adaptor
- Focal length: 65mm
- Reproduction rate: 1x – 5x
- Minimum focus distance: 7 inches
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Image stabilization: No
- Weather sealing: No
- Weight: 1.57lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
A number of things set this normal range macro lens apart. First and foremost, it is manual focus only. When shooting small objects, this is a benefit, since you can focus on the part of that object you want to be sharp while the rest disappears in the depth of field blur.
The second (and the reason for the first) is the range of macro magnification – from 1:1 life size to 5 times life size, kind of like a zoom but for magnification purposes. Canon describes this as being able to fill a full frame sensor with a grain of rice. Users say it’s like focusing a microscope, since the greater the magnification, the shallower the depth of field.
While this lens does not have IS, it has a tripod collar to allow you to hold lens and camera still while shooting tiny things. Even with this stability, the slightest movement or vibration can be enough to blur the image. Users recommend practicing for a while to understand its capabilities fully.
One important factor to note if you shoot an APS-C sensor Canon: The equivalent focal length of this lens is 1.6 times 65mm, or 104mm. That will be appealing because it will seem like you’re even closer to the subject than reality on a full frame camera, but with a small megapixel cost.
Considerations:
When focusing this lens across its magnification range, the lens extends to the front. This can be an issue if you are already at the minimum focusing distance from your subject. Users report this can bring the lens within a couple of inches of the subject.
Reviewers express some concerns about the price of this lens compared to its limited uses. However, it is mentioned as the best macro lens many have used across all brands, and that alone may be the reason to buy one. If you want to capture the perfect snowflake, cool down your studio and mount this lens on your Canon.
#3. Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro IS STM
- Canon mount: EF-S only
- Focal length: 35mm (56mm equivalent)
- Reproduction rate: 1x
- Minimum focus distance: 5 inches
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Weather sealing: No
- Weight: .42lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
This lens will only work on Canon APS-C sensor cameras, so you’ll need to make the focal length equivalent adjustment (1.6 times 35mm or 56mm) to compare it to full frame sizes. It is incredibly light in weight but not in capabilities. Consider being able to set up an inch from your subject, and you’ll understand why this lens made the list despite its more limited Canon bodies.
The autofocus uses a stepper motor, considered by reviewers as an advantage when shooting DSLR video. It is quieter than an ultrasonic, plus its transitions more smoothly between AF settings. With this ability, details in your videos will remain crisp and precise.
When you’re as close as an inch to your subject, most of your natural light is blocked by your position. This means you’ll need to use the built in ring light on the lens or otherwise adjust your ambient lighting to make up for it. Users report bokeh is nicely diffused while the subject itself remains sharp and clear.
Considerations:
Some users complain the ring light is too dim for any outdoor uses and could also be a problem for indoor shots. Other than this, there appear to be no substantial complaints. Comments note it is a great choice for everyday photos because it is so light weight and in the equivalent normal focal range, with the added benefit of good close ups and portraits.
Yes, this will only work on APS-C sensor DSLR cameras, but since Canon has made those their introductory flagship models for enthusiasts or beginners early in their career and many have stayed with those bodies, it serves a busy niche. The minimum focusing distance allows for incredible images up close and personal, as long as the subject doesn’t mind proximity.
Since it is also reported to work well as a prime lens, this macro might be a good addition for those seeking more than a standard use prime.
#4. Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
- Canon mount: EF; EF-S with adaptor
- Focal length: 180mm
- Reproduction rate: 1x
- Minimum focus distance: 19 inches
- Aperture: f/3.5
- Image stabilization: No
- Weather sealing: Yes
- Weight: 2.40lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
In situations where you’d prefer to remain further from your active subject but still want to capture those magnification details, a further minimum focus distance and a longer focal length are pluses. Consider the uses for this with live critters that don’t like your intrusion, where you need to be further away but still want the benefit of life size images.
The ultrasonic AF motor is fast and locks on to your subject quickly. The lens also has a depth of field meter allowing you to measure your precise focusing range, and a distance meter to help you adjust accordingly. When you add weather sealing to this mix, you have a good lens for outdoors work across a spectrum of shooting situations (particularly great for travel bloggers).
Considerations:
Reviewers criticize this macro lens for being pricey in both cost and weight. It does come with a tripod collar to offset risks of DSLR camera shake and blurring, since it does not have IS. It is still large, though, and that takes up a lot of territory in your gear bag.
Users like the focal length if keeping a distance is their true need. Many people note that the crop factor adjustment for lots of bodies make this a super Canon telephoto, and that might be more than they bargain for. Still, it’s a unique sensitive lens with specific macro purposes for imaging in the wild without disturbing life’s balance.
#5. Sigma APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
- Canon mount: EF; EF-S with adaptor
- Focal length: 180mm
- Reproduction rate: 1x
- Minimum focus distance: 18 inches
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Image stabilization: Yes
- Weather sealing: No
- Weight: 3.62lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
Like our Canon before this, the reason to have this lens in your possession is the ability to maintain a distance from the subject and still get that life size shot. Ultrasonic AF system working together with a distance meter will help you find your target image and lock on to it quickly.
Users note that images are insanely sharp from this lens, something that comes up in many remarks and something that probably has to do with the lack of IS on the Canon model. With a larger aperture, it is considered faster at the wide end too. Bokeh is judged to be gentler and more diffused, making for a nice contrast to that crisp subject rendering.
Considerations:
Weight is a big factor here, which makes the tripod collar a must to use. Macro photography needs the help because shooting handheld and remaining clear will be impossible. Reviewers also comment that it is more expensive than its Canon equivalent.
Why buy this third party lens if that’s the case? Users believe that the quality of this lens overall, its optics and its build, surpass the name brand. While it’s hard to judge this except in a side by side, it appears this lens is worth the investment if you’re open to its comparable features and third party excellence.
#6. Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro
- Canon mount: EF; EF-S with adaptor
- Focal length: 90mm
- Reproduction rate: 1x
- Minimum focus distance: 11 inches
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Image stabilization: No
- Weather sealing: No
- Weight: .89lbs.
Reviewers’ likes:
Tamron has become known for solid, reliable lenses that meet user needs at a cost less than the name brands. Users like the sharpness of images and good bokeh it produces for both stills and video. In addition to macro work, it takes great portraits and other types of close ups with attractive background blurring and no distortion.
It also seems to perform well for still life shots, which is a niche within close up work. For the lower price, it competes well with its Canon closest equivalent without some of the more complicated technology that can break down and/or get users in trouble. It has a focus distance limiter, so you can benefit from setting your preferred range and speed up the autofocus process considerably.
Considerations:
This lens lacks both IS and weather sealing, so you’ll be thinking about how and where you use it. Some reviewers are not fond of its plastic build, though that contributes to the lighter weight. Others note that a tripod is essential to minimize shake and blurring.
Rated by many as a good general purpose lens with many uses, it excels at more than macro work. Landscapes and portraits, flower shots and food are all mentioned. If you’re looking for a contender in medium tele range for less than the brand price tag, this Tamron could be a good fit for you.
I can’t find reviews for extreme close up (like jumping spider’s eye) pictures, a canon lens which could be used for macro photography. Can someone suggest or recommend a review which could help me learn such details?