A macro lens is a specialised and pretty remarkable piece of photographic equipment designed to capture close-up shots with incredible detail and clarity. Unlike standard lenses found on most cameras, a macro lens has a unique optical design that allows it to i) capture the image of the subject matter on the cameras sensor that is the same size as it is in real life and ii) focus at extremely short distances. These two properties allow the lens to unveil the intricate world of small subjects that might go unnoticed in everyday life. This makes a macro lens very popular amongst flower photographers for capturing all the gorgeous details of flowers and leaves.
Canon EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens – an old favourite and the lens used to take the flower images in this blog.
Sadly this is no longer available new but you can still but second hand or refurbished lens on line. We still use this lens here at flower-photography.co.uk (July 2023).
Without wishing to get too complicated, the defining technical characteristic of a true macro lens is its 1:1 magnification ratio. This ratio means that when you capture an image of a subject, the resulting projection onto the camera's sensor is the same size as the subject itself. For example, if you photograph a flower that is about 15mm across, the image projected onto the sensor will also be 15mm wide. With a "normal", non-macro lens, the image on the camera sensor is much smaller than the actual subject matter. Thus, using a macro lens has the overall effect in the final photograph produced of appearing to magnify the subject making it look bigger when compared to an image taken with a non-macro lens.
As well as providing life-size representation of subjects, macro lenses boast a short focusing distance, allowing photographers to get exceptionally close to their subjects, sometimes mere inches away. This intimate proximity results in stunning close-up images with captivating details that can be truly breathtaking.
Additionally, macro lenses are masters at producing beautiful bokeh - the soft and creamy background blur that elegantly isolates the subject from its surroundings. Achieving this dreamy bokeh is possible through the use of wide apertures, such as f/2.8, which create a shallow depth of field and draw attention to the subject.
It is however important to be aware that there are some challenges associated with using a macro lens. One issue arises from the increased sensitivity to camera shake when shooting at such close distances. Some macro lenses include image stabilisation to help counteract this problem, but budget options might lack this feature. In such cases, steady hands or the use of a tripod become crucial to achieving sharp images.
Another challenge lies in the autofocus performance of macro lenses, especially when focusing on subjects just inches away. Autofocus systems might struggle to pinpoint the desired focus point accurately. Consequently, manual focus is often recommended for achieving optimal sharpness in macro photography.
Macro lenses come in three primary focal length categories: short, standard, and telephoto. Short macro lenses are compact and lightweight, making them suitable for everyday use and casual macro photography. However, their short working distance can pose challenges for more serious macro enthusiasts.
Standard macro lenses, ranging from 90mm to 105mm focal lengths, are the most versatile and popular choice among macro photographers. These lenses strike a balance between working distance and usability, making them well-suited for various macro shooting scenarios.
Telephoto macro lenses are ideal for capturing close-up shots of moving subjects that may well appear whilst shooting images of flowers, like butterflies and bees, without getting too close and causing them to flee. However, longer focal lengths demand extra attention to camera stability, necessitating faster shutter speeds or the use of a tripod.
Another useful aspect of macro lenses is their ability to double as standard lenses, making them a versatile addition to any photographer's kit. Besides capturing stunning close-ups, macro lenses can produce impressive images of everyday subjects, and some photographers even prefer them for portrait photography due to the unique and pleasing bokeh they produce. In particular, macro lenses with a focal length of around 100mm are favoured for portrait work due to the smooth and flattering bokeh they can create.
As discussed above a macro lens effectively requires some technical skills and practice. Understanding the lens's working distance based on its focal length is crucial for positioning the camera correctly relative to the subject. Achieving precise focus in macro photography is challenging due to the super shallow depth of field, which requires steady hands or tripod use, along with manual focus in many cases.
Experimentation is key here and can be great fun! Practising with simpler subjects before tackling more complex projects is advisable, as small movements, even the slightest breeze, can impact the focus and sharpness of macro images. By mastering these techniques, photographers can unlock a captivating and mesmerising world of close-up photography.
In conclusion, investing in a macro lens opens up endless creative possibilities for flower photographers. Whether capturing the delicate details of petals, exploring the tantalising textures of leaves, or revealing the intricate beauty of stamens, a macro lens stands as an invaluable tool to explore and celebrate the often overlooked wonders in the world around us. With various excellent macro lens options available from top camera brands and third-party manufacturers, photographers can find the perfect match to unleash their artistic vision and capture the mesmerising allure of the macro world.
Have fun out there! Experiment, experiment, experiment.
Macro lenses:
There are a number of different macro lens available on the market. Some are made by the big camera companies like Canon and Nikon but some very good and usually slight cheaper lens can be bought from the likes of Sigma and Tamron. Below a few of the more popular lenses are briefly discussed.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is a top macro lens designed to enhance the photography experience for its users. Its remarkable optical stabilisation system makes it a preferred choice for photographers eager to capture stunning, intricate close-up shots.
These are the key features that make this lens stand out. The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens offers a rugged 'L' series build, combining exceptional durability and reliability. Its hybrid optical stabilisation system ensures enhanced stability for handheld shooting, ideal for macro and close-up photography. The lens features a silent and accurate ring-type ultrasonic autofocus, while the three-position autofocus limiter switch allows customisable focus ranges. Additionally, the weather-sealed construction protects against dust and moisture. With an Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element, chromatic aberrations are minimised, delivering consistent image quality across the aperture range, even at f/22. The lens also boasts a smooth and precise manual focus ring, ideal for creative macro compositions.
But be aware that i) compared to some competing macro lenses, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is relatively expensive, which may be a point of consideration for budget-conscious photographer and ii) while the image sharpness is exceptional, some lenses from Sigma and Tamron offer similar sharpness levels, potentially giving you more budget-friendly alternatives.
In summary, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is an outstanding choice for photographers seeking a high-quality macro lens with superior stabilisation and remarkable image quality. While its price and competition from other brands should be considered, its capabilities make it a valuable addition to any photographer's toolkit.
Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM is an affordable yet feature-packed macro lens compatible with multiple camera mounts, including Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, and Sigma SA. Despite its competitive price, this lens boasts an array of impressive features specifically tailored for macro photography.
The Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens offers a sturdy build quality and effective optical stabilisation, ensuring sharp and blur-free images. Its impressive macro performance allows capturing intricate details and stunning close-up shots. The lens features versatile stabilisation modes with a three-position range limiter switch and dual static and panning modes, adapting to different shooting scenarios for steady and clear shots. The inclusion of two SLD optical elements reduces chromatic aberrations and enhances overall image sharpness, resulting in improved image quality.
But be aware that it lacks weather-seals and so the lens may not offer the same level of protection against dust and moisture as some other options.
Overall, the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM stands out as an excellent choice for photographers seeking budget-friendly options to explore macro photography. With its robust build, reliable image stabilisation, and impressive sharpness, it proves to be a valuable tool for capturing intricate and detailed close-up shots of various subjects.
Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR
The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, a premium macro lens meticulously crafted for Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras. With its outstanding features and performance in both macro and general shooting, this lens is a compelling choice for photography enthusiasts.
The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a professional-grade macro lens with exceptional all-round performance for both macro and general photography. It comes with a 4.5-stop optical vibration reduction (VR) for effective image stabilisation, a super-fast and highly accurate autofocus system, and a multi-function OLED display for easy viewing of lens settings. The lens also features a customisable lens-function button and control ring, an autofocus range limiter, and an electronically coupled focus ring for precise adjustments. Its robust, weather-sealed construction ensures added durability.
The Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is designed as a top-tier macro lens, featuring a practical focal length of 105mm, which makes it well-suited for general macro photography. Its optical prowess delivers stunning image quality, excelling in both general shooting and extreme close-up scenarios.
The lens boasts a swift and precise autofocus system, ensuring impeccable focus accuracy even in challenging macro situations. The Vibration Reduction (VR) offers up to 4.5 stops of image stabilisation, mitigating the effects of camera shake and yielding sharper images in diverse shooting conditions.
Built to withstand the elements, the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S features a weather-sealed design that offers protection against dust and moisture, rendering it suitable for various outdoor environments.
Be aware that this lens has a higher cost compared to the Nikon Z MC 50mm lens, but the performance justifies the investment.
In conclusion, this lens is an great choice for Nikon Z-series users who are passionate about macro photography and demand top-notch optics with impeccable build quality and handling. Its professional-grade capabilities justify the higher cost, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking the ultimate macro lens for their Nikon Z camera system.