10 Best Macro Lenses 2025 in the United States

The Laowa 24mm f/14 2X Macro Probe lens for Sony FE is a unique macro lens designed for those who love to capture intricate details in their photography. Its standout feature is the long, tubular 15.7-inch barrel, which allows photographers to get close to subjects without disturbing them or needing to maneuver into tight spaces physically. This makes it particularly useful for shooting in environments where getting physically close to the subject is challenging, like wildlife or delicate botanical photography.

At 24mm, it offers full-frame coverage, which is great for those using both 35mm full-frame and Super35 sensors. The wide-angle design provides a deep depth of field, enabling more background details to be captured, which is beneficial in adding context to macro shots. However, the maximum aperture of f/14 is relatively narrow, which might require additional lighting or higher ISO settings to compensate for lower light situations. Thankfully, an integrated LED ring light at the lens tip helps illuminate the subject when working with such small apertures.

In terms of build, the lens is lightweight at just over a pound, making it easy to handle and maneuver. However, there's no mention of weather sealing, so caution is advised when photographing in wet or dusty environments.

For anyone passionate about macro photography, especially studio and wildlife photographers, this lens offers some unique advantages in capturing hard-to-reach subjects. Just be mindful of the lighting needs due to its small aperture and the potential requirement for manual focus adjustments.

The APEXEL 100Ultra Macro Lens is designed to enhance close-up photography on smartphones, especially for capturing small details like flowers, insects, and jewelry. It offers a versatile focal length range from 50 to 110mm, allowing you to shoot from a comfortable distance without disturbing your subject. This is ideal for nature photography where getting too close can scare away insects. The lens features a large aperture of f/1.05, which allows more light to enter, helping to create a beautiful blurred background (bokeh) and improving performance in low-light conditions. With 10X magnification, it reveals tiny details that are usually hard to see with the naked eye or a regular phone camera.

Optically, it includes multi-lens elements that reduce reflections and lens flare, resulting in sharper and brighter images. The inclusion of a cold shoe mount for lights and a filter thread for attaching external filters adds creative flexibility, making it more than just a basic clip-on lens.

This lens is a solid choice for smartphone users who want to explore macro photography without investing in professional equipment. It is particularly suitable for hobbyists focused on nature, food, or small object photography who can manage manual focus and steadiness. While it delivers impressive magnification and low-light performance, achieving the best results requires some patience and careful handling.

The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is a prime choice for macro photography enthusiasts looking for high-quality close-up capabilities. With a 1:1 magnification ratio and an impressive minimum focusing distance of 11 inches, it excels at capturing life-size details. This lens is engineered with advanced optical elements, including extra-low dispersion glass and aspherical elements, which work together to reduce chromatic aberrations and enhance color accuracy. The Nano AR Coating helps minimize reflections, making it effective in bright light conditions.

Autofocus performance is another strong point, thanks to the Direct Drive SSM system that provides quick and quiet focusing, which is especially beneficial for video recording. The lens also includes Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, helping to reduce camera shake for sharper handheld shots at slower shutter speeds. These features, combined with the sliding focus ring for easy switching between manual and autofocus, make the lens user-friendly and versatile.

The lens is relatively heavy at almost 4.7 pounds, which might be cumbersome for some users, especially during extended shooting sessions. Additionally, while the focus range limiter offers useful control, beginners may find it slightly complicated to navigate. The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is particularly suited for photographers and videographers who prioritize image quality and detail in macro shots. While it has a slightly heavier build, the exceptional optical performance and user-friendly features likely outweigh this drawback for serious macro enthusiasts.