What you want is a macro lens. Fortunately, it is difficult to buy a bad macro lens. This is kind of odd in a world where 90 percent of the lenses sold are bad. Perhaps it is because anyone in the market for a macro lens is already fairly sophisticated and quality-conscious. Partly it is because it is easier to make a single focal-length lens than a zoom.

The best macro lenses are the latest autofocus mount models made by Canon and Nikon, typically in focal lengths ranging from 50 to 200mm. Each lens will focus continuously from infinity to 1:1. You can shoot the moon and capture the bear claw without stopping to change lenses or screw in filters. How do these lenses work? Do they just have a much longer helical than the 50mm normal lens?
Yes and no.



Yes a macro lens helical has much more travel than a normal lens helical. You can watch the front element move an inch or two. However, these helicals aren't just pushing a stack of glass back and forth like the 50mm's helical. Inside one of the elements is moving ("floating") so that the optical design changes to a more appropriate one for close-up photography. Thus you get sharp images at all focussed distances.

How do you choose a focal length? The same way you do with a non-macro lens. If you can't get very close to your subject at a soccer game, you don't pull out a normal lens; you bring out a 300mm telephoto lens. If you can't get close to an insect without it getting scared and flying away, then you want the 200mm lens and not the 50. If you want to compress features in a woman's face, you use a 105mm lens rather than a short wide angle lens. It is the same with macro work; longer lenses give you a flatter perspective.

At right is an image taken with an older design Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro, This lens incorporates a floating element for high image quality, but only goes to 1:2 without a "life size converter" (sort of like a telextender) that you stick between the lens and the camera. The 50 is also annoying because it has the ancient non-USM Canon motor. So it can't do simultaneous AF and MF like the ring-USM lenses.

Check the Canon and Nikon websites for more info to what is best for your camera body.

Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina make excellent single focal length (prime) macro lenses. If you're using a system other than Canon or Nikon, these may be better quality than your own manufacturer's lens. If you're using Canon or Nikon, you might be able to save a few pounds, at the expense, perhaps, of slightly less rugged mechanical construction. Among the three companies, Tamron historically has produced the best macro lenses.


* Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 DI 1:1 Macro Lens for Canon,
* Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 DI 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon,
* Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 DI 1:1 Macro Lens for Minolta/Sony,
* Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens for Canon,
* Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro Lens for Nikon,

* Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro Lens for Canon,
* Tamron SP 180mm f/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon,


     Sigma Lenses            Nikon Cameras             Canon Cameras             Olympus Cameras

     Tamron Lenses         Sony Cameras               Praktica Cameras


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