Macro lenses sit in a strange corner of the gear market: specialized enough that many skip them entirely, but capable of images that are hard to get any other way. The surge in macro photography during the COVID-19 lockdowns pushed manufacturers to release more options, and the category is now more crowded and more interesting than it's ever been.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this engaging video runs through Frost's five personal favorite macro lenses of all time, ranked by release date rather than by raw performance scores. He's clear that this is a subjective list built on enjoyment and memory, not a strict sharpness shootout. The first lens on the list is the Mitakon 20mm f/2 Super Macro 4.5X, which Frost describes as cheap, simple, and capable of genuinely extreme 4.5x magnification. The catch is that it won't focus at normal distances and gets very dark at close range, so you'll need good light or a tripod. Still, for the price, Frost thinks it's worth trying if you're curious.
The second lens is a discontinued Canon EF-S macro that's now only available secondhand, notable for having a built-in ring light that helps solve the darkness problem inherent in close-up work. Third on the list is the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, and Frost makes a bold claim about it: he thinks it might be the sharpest lens Nikon has ever produced. He considered putting the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8 Macro IS USM in that spot but was put off by a focus-related issue he couldn't ignore, preferring the Nikon's smaller size, better build, and lower price. For Sony shooters, he gives a strong honorable mention to the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS as a comparable option in that focal length range.
The fourth pick is the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 Macro 2x, which gives you twice life-size magnification in a familiar focal length, with manual focus only but impressively low chromatic aberration and strong sharpness at a reasonable price. Before his fifth pick, Frost also calls out two lenses he couldn't leave off entirely: the Voigtländer 110mm f/2.5 for its portrait-friendly rendering, and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD for exceptional value. His fifth and final favorite, the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM, is a wide angle lens with half life-size macro capability, and Frost's case for it is genuinely compelling: wide angle macro images blend a large subject with a wide environmental context in ways that standard macro focal lengths simply can't replicate. It's not the most technically capable lens on the list, but Frost says he'd buy one himself if the price were lower.
Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost, including his detailed reasoning on each pick and why a few well-known lenses didn't make the cut.
No comments yet