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So, you have an excellent Canon camera and now you need an awesome macro lens to master your photography. For this, you need the best macro lens for Canon cameras. While an ordinary Canon camera is definitely going to be able to catch great macro photos, having a proper lens can really boost your images.
Not to mention, the best macro lenses are not only used for getting close-up shots, they are also very good prime lenses that can produce ultra-sharp images through every aperture setting. Macro lenses are also ideal for portrait photography, making them more versatile than you may think.
Basically, a macro lens allows you to fill the entire image sensor of your APS-C or mirrorless camera with a tiny subject no larger than an ant while still getting the best detail. If you are into flowers or insects, or just taking photos of everyday objects, a macro lens is definitely for you. Macro lenses give you an immense level of enlargement while viewing the images on your viewfinder or in their final form.
The main issue is trying to find which macro lens is best for your Canon camera. There is a lot to choose from. So, you want to keep in mind that a focal length of between 90 to 105mm is going to be ideal, especially for a full-frame camera. This focal length allows you to get the right amount of closeness on your subjects.
Today we will go through five of the best macro lenses for Canon cameras. We have some from Canon, and others from independent manufacturers that are just as good.
The Best Macro Lenses For Canon Cameras
1. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro Lens
For such a low price, you can’t find a better independent macro lens than this. This was part of the latest generation of macro lenses from Tamron recently, and it comes in at an alarmingly low price. There is something to be said about the individual manufacturers, as their lenses often have similar qualities to the main brands at much lower prices, just like this unit from Tamron.
The lens comes with incredible optics, upgraded from the older versions to include a pair of XLD elements and a single LD element. This will guarantee you the best close-up shots of the smallest subjects, allowing you to prowl the garden on the hunt for unique pictures. The lens also has a quality build, it is properly weather-sealed, and there is a clean fluorine coating on the front element. You also get a very durable hybrid optic stabilizer that counteracts any kind of shift or vibration, further enhancing your performance with close-up shooting. It’s no substitute for a tripod, but the stabilization system is definitely on point.
While this is an older model, it is great for anyone on a budget!
Pros
- Great Stabilization System
- Perfect for Close-Up Shots
- Weather-Sealed & Robust
- Affordable Price
- Upgraded Optics
Cons
- Fairly Bulky
- Older Model
2. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens
This lens is top of the line. If you don’t mind spending a bit of cash and you want the best macro lens for your Canon camera, this is the one to buy. It has all the strength of the L-Series from Canon, and it features all the latest 100mm macro features, including the hybrid optical stabilization that makes shooting carefree and easy. You don’t have to worry about a tripod or your shaky hands when getting those close-up shots.
This lens comes with ring-type ultrasonic AF, along with a three-position autofocus limiter which can lock out the short end or the long end of your range. The lens is weather-sealed for quality, it has an ultra-low dispersion element, a minimum focus distance of 0.3m, and a maximum magnification of 1.0x. Plus, it only weighs 625 grams. This is the type of lens professionals use, both for macro photography and for portrait photography. You can count on image quality remaining 100% through the full aperture range all the way down to f/22. The autofocus is quick, accurate, and quiet – and the manual focus ring is incredibly smooth.
Pros
- Strong Build & Weatherproofing
- Great Magnification & Minimum Focus
- New Technology
- Smooth Manual Focus
- Quick & Quiet Autofocus
Cons
- Fairly Expensive
- Heavier than Average
3. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens
This is another premium macro lens at an affordable price from an independent manufacturer. Sigma is known for their quality and their affordability, and this magnificent lens speaks volumes. The lens can focus down to a magnification ratio of 1:1 when set to its closest shooting distance of 12.3”. Everything comes included with the lens, including the lens hood, the hood adapter, and the front and rear lens caps. And even though the lens is designed to be used with full-frame SLR cameras, it can still work adequately with smaller APS-C cameras.
Like other quality macro lenses, this unit comes with ring-type ultrasonic autofocus that is quick, quiet, and always precise. It also has a three-position range limiter switch, a solid build with glass that includes two SLD optical elements, and premium optical stabilization using dual static and panning modes. The lens works as a medium telephoto macro lens, meaning that you can be farther away from your subject while still achieving close-up perfection. On the flip side, the lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 142mm, which is pretty impressive.
Pros
- Excellent Value for Money
- Sharp & Vibrant Images
- Impressive Focusing Distances
- Perfect Image Stabilization
- Ideal for Everyday Photography
Cons
- Not Weather Sealed
- Autofocus Slightly Noisy
4. Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
This is definitely the most affordable lens on the list. It is also a relatively new proprietary lens from Canon, meaning it is fitted with all the greatest optical technology Canon has to offer. It is a great way to expand your options and to see your world in impeccable detail. This particular model is designed to be used strictly with APS-C cameras, and it comes included with a built-in Macro Lite for constant lighting no matter where you are. Think of it like having a flashlight attached to your camera at all times so that you can play with the light and have better effects when you need them.
The lens has a very bright aperture, shake correction for the best in image stabilization, very smooth autofocusing, and the entire unit is compact and lightweight. The lens only weighs about 190 grams, making it perfect for sneaking in close to your subject. It also has a very short focal length, allowing you to place the lens 3cm from your target while shooting. For anyone who wants to experiment with macro photography without spending a bundle, I highly recommend this lens. It has all the best features without being overly complex or confusing.
Pros
- Affordable to Anyone
- Powerful Image Stabilization
- Compact & Lightweight/Easy to Carry
- Surprisingly Bright Aperture
- Built-In Macro Lite
Cons
- Built-In Lamp is Dim
- Only for APS-C Cameras
5. Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens
Here we have another affordable EF-S macro lens from Canon. This lens is dynamic, it focuses quickly, and it gives you the most dramatic detail possible in all your close-up pictures. It has manual focus override, perfect resolution from corner to corner, amazing contrast, and beautiful image quality. The lens is also quite small, weighing only about 11 ounces. The lens has a focal length of 60 millimeters with a magnification ratio of 1:1. To be honest, it is hard to beat this lens at what it does. The aperture is wide, allowing the lens to work great in low light, and even enabling you to get picturesque bokeh when you want it.
The mechanical focus ring produces excellent feedback, the USM focusing is quick and quiet, and the focus window is ideal for setting infinity focus. When all is said and done, this is a great mid-grade macro lens for any APS-C Canon camera.
Pros
- Superior Image Quality w/ Sharp Pictures
- Magnification Ratio is Great
- Solid Construction w/ Usable Focus Window
- USM Focus Works Silently & Quickly
- Great for APS-C Cameras
Cons
- Minimum Focus Needs Improvement
- Not Compatible w/ Full-Frame Cameras
Final Thoughts
There is a lot that goes into picking the best macro lens, whether you are using a Canon camera or not. The main thing you always want to consider is the focal length. The whole reason why a macro lens is a macro lens is because of the focal length, and the main reason you buy a macro lens is so that you can take extremely detailed photos of extremely small subjects. For this, you need a good focal length.
The longer your focal length, the sharper the images will be at a farther distance. For example, an extremely short focal length means you will need to get closer to your target, while a longer focal length allows you to capture the same quality of photo from farther back. This is why macro lenses with shorter focal lengths are often cheaper.
You can’t exactly photograph a bird from 6” away – it’s just not going to happen. But if you have a long focal length, you can get some great macro shots of tiny birds without disturbing them. This is the biggest difference between macro lenses, and will often be the biggest reason for a difference in price.
