10 Best Macro Lenses 2026 in the United States

The AstrHori 25mm F2.8 macro lens is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras, especially Leica, Panasonic, and Sigma L-mounts. It offers an impressive 2x to 5x magnification, which is higher than many standard macro lenses, allowing you to capture extremely close-up details of tiny subjects. The working distance of about 37.5 to 45mm helps you set up lighting and composition without being uncomfortably close to the subject.

The 25mm focal length is shorter than usual for macro lenses, but this actually gives you a larger depth of field at these magnifications, making it easier to keep more of your subject in focus and reducing the need for complex photo stacking. With a bright maximum aperture of f/2.8 and an 8-blade iris, the lens performs well in low light and can create smooth background blur (bokeh) that highlights your subject nicely. The lens construction includes 10 elements in 7 groups, featuring specialized glass to reduce distortions and improve sharpness.

This lens is manual focus only and does not have autofocus, which may be challenging if you're used to quick focusing systems, especially at high magnifications where precise manual focus is critical. There is no image stabilization built-in, so using a tripod or steady hand technique is recommended. The build feels solid, but the lack of autofocus and stabilization means it’s best suited for photographers comfortable with manual precision work. It is a strong choice for enthusiasts eager to explore extreme close-ups with excellent image quality and depth of field control, provided they are okay with manual focusing and stabilizing their shots themselves.

The Laowa 24mm F/14 2X Macro Probe lens is quite unique in the macro lens world. Unlike typical macro lenses that use longer focal lengths, this one offers a wide 24mm focal length with a fixed small aperture of f/14. This combination provides an unusually large depth of field up close, making more of the subject and background appear sharp, which is great for creative bug-eye style shots. It allows up to 2X magnification, meaning it can capture very fine details at twice life size, which is impressive for a macro lens.

The lens has a long tubular design with a waterproof front, perfect for shooting in wet or tricky environments, and it even includes a built-in LED ring light to brighten close subjects. It’s designed for Canon RF mounts and works on both full-frame and Super35 cameras. However, this lens lacks image stabilization and autofocus, so manual focusing is required, which may slow down shooting and challenge beginners. The fixed aperture of f/14 limits low-light performance and background blur options compared to lenses with wider apertures.

Its build is sturdy and specialized for field use, but the lens is relatively heavy and large, which could impact handheld convenience. This lens is well suited for photographers looking for a creative, wide-angle macro perspective with high detail and durability, especially for nature or underwater use, but it may not meet the needs of those requiring quick autofocus or more flexible aperture control.

The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro is a high-quality lens tailored for macro photography, especially for users with EOS R series mirrorless cameras. With a medium telephoto focal length of 100mm, it provides an impressive maximum magnification ratio of 1.4x, making it perfect for capturing intricate details in close-up shots. The bright f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur or bokeh.

The optical image stabilization, offering up to 5 stops of shake correction, and the hybrid IS, which compensates for angular and shift camera shake, ensure sharp and clear images even in handheld shooting conditions. The spherical aberration (SA) control ring adds versatility by allowing photographers to adjust the bokeh’s character for creative effects.

On the downside, the lens is relatively heavy at 1.61 pounds, and its size might be a bit cumbersome for some users. However, its robust build quality and weather sealing make it durable and reliable for various shooting environments. The autofocus performance is strong, providing quick and accurate focusing, which is crucial for capturing fine details in macro photography. The Canon RF100mm F2.8 L Macro lens is a top choice for serious macro photographers, offering excellent image quality and advanced features to bring close-up subjects to life.