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.
1 Comment
Macro is in the eye or the capturer. Yes many lenses are labeled as Macro and guess the f/2.8 is a draw to one. Some of the images shown I think could have been captured with an regular lens just being up close.
Before I ever thought of macro I used the just get closer, the point is for closeness as in the spec's of a lens you have to measure from the sensor plane where on the outside a mark is.
The cold heart was captured with the Sony FE 16-35mm F4 ZA OSS while on my belly getting as close as I could and fill the frame, Macro? I do not know! no cropping
The Bee was with the FE 24-75mm F2.8 GM. at 70mm f/3.5 no cropping.
For a macro lens Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro this at 75.0 mm in 35mm in APS-C mode at f/2.8 and it was handheld at my desk.
the image of the camera and lens showing closeness using AF, the tube goes in when you turn off the camera so to get it out to its longest point have to use AF and move subject closer, yes also works with AF or manual I have the 100mm, this 50mm had the 90mm.
One other no one thinks of is the cell phone and at 5x and plus you get AF also.
I do not know if you would still call it macro but newer updates to many cameras you have focus stacking where depending on the f/# used will be how many images are taken. I found a must to use a 12MP cameras for the smaller images and faster processing in post. Years ago you used a telephoto lens some distance with a platform on a screw to do manual focus bracketing.
If the very small subject if just one image only a slice at f/2.8 is in focus or using focus stacking where say a fly is is all in focus are both Macro?
Here is a note when using say the 100mm f/2.8 for portrait and using AF and using the focus of either eye AF or the little box focus the tip of the nose and ears will not be in focus so the extra you have to think about even in macro is your focus mode where when doing focus stacking capture you select size of focus point box you put at the bottom.
Just a beginner so to speak and playing at that and some info for others, we all like to play it is the way we learn!