Comments on: 11 Best Lenses for Macro Photography (2023)

By: ggabphotography

ggabphotography — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 09:54:04 +0000

Ok, here we go.
How does your #1 choice have these cons:
Cons
Optical performance isn’t as good as more expensive lenses – Big con. I would expect the #1 choice to be superb optically.
Plastic construction instead of metal-Why is this a con?
No weather sealing – Not necessarily a con.
Not suited for full-frame cameras- Certainly not something I would expect in the #1 choice.
Pro’s:
Pros
Inexpensive – Is this your top factor for determining the #1 best lens for Macro Photography?
Built-in ring light – Nice option
Optical stabilization (unusual for this price range)- Not used. No one really does Macro photography hand held.

Next, your #3 choice:
Cons
Very expensive; not ideal for casual shooters – One of the least expensive Canon “L” lenses. Not sure how the cost negatively affects is ability to be a “Macro Lens”
Autofocus can be a bit slow. Why is this an issue? Who uses Auto Focus in Macro Photography?
Focusing elements tend to be noisy – I would suggest you have a bad copy. Mine is quiet.
Pros
Exquisite image quality – I would expect this to be the #1 determining factor for Macro Photography, excellent edge to edge IQ.
Reliable, accurate autofocus – Again, not a concern with Macro
Unique spherical aberration control ring – Meh

Next, your #8
Cons
Plastic build is fine but not as durable as metal. Ok so this is bad for #1 but ok for #8?
Some photographers prefer lenses with internal focusing. I submit that those photographers use a different lens and this is not necessarily a con.
Autofocus is on the slower side – Again, who cares when you manual focus?
Why are these Pro’s?
Pros
Clutch mechanism for quickly switching between manual focus and autofocus – When you are manual focusing almost exclusively this is mute. If you are using this for portrait work and want to switch between manual and auto focus why is the clutch a pro or plus? A switch is much easier to use, at least for me.
If you are on a budget and want a lens that will provide excellent IQ, I recommend the Tokina. It is roughly half the price of the #3 choice with IQ nearly as good.

I have used two of the three lenses I have commented on. I love your #3 choice and use if for much more than Macro Photography.
I just don’t get these articles.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 20:28:18 +0000

Seriously? No mention that the Canon RF 100mm lens has 1.4x magnification.

By: Mike Fewster

Mike Fewster — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:57:52 +0000

Same article as six months ago. Same problem. No discussion at all of af bracketing. Essentially, this makes the article quite misleading for anyone interested in exploring macro photography with modern cameras.

By: ggabphotography

ggabphotography — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:58:17 +0000

I get this is the day of the mirrorless camera at Canon, however the EF 100mm F/2.8 is up there with the best of the best.
Not everyone is going to by RF lens’s. In fact, if you have a stock of “L” lenses and move to the “R” Series use Canon’s adapter.
Also, who uses autofocus with Macro????

By: Mike Fewster

Mike Fewster — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:18:35 +0000

This is 2022. How can we possibly discuss best macro lenses without discussing auto focus bracketing? This can now be regarded as an essential for macro work in the field. Not all macro lenses allow auto focus bracketing. This varies between makers and models and lenses. Any listing of “best macro lenses” ought to include whether or not that lens includes auto bracket focussing on cameras from that maker that have this feature.
PS. I’m a Sony user and my biggest gripe with Sony is that this feature isn’t on any Sony camera. Should Sony eventually add auto focus bracketing via firmware update, we have no idea whether that Sony 90mm macro (an otherwise great lens) will work with this feature. Many frustrated Sony shooters have an appropriate Olympus as a second system just for shooting macro.

By: Arne P. Böttger

Arne P. Böttger — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 10:56:54 +0000

I was very happy that when I first pondered Macro photography a friend recommended extension tubes to me. That was an excellent way for first experiments and are still my lightweight „just in case“ macro utility to pack.
If my bag allows it, I also have a Canon EF 100mm macro – which I also like for portraits.