If you’re interested in starting taking close-up photos and have the Canon mirrorless camera, or DSLR it is recommended to buy the top macro lenses available for Canon system cameras to achieve the most efficient results. To assist you with this, we’ve found a variety of lenses which are compatible with the type of photography that you’re interested in and also work to the Canon cameras.

But figuring out the perfect optic for your camera may be difficult. Like many genres of photography that are specific to a certain type it’s easy to become lost in the language (some are required) and the plethora of lenses available for the various Canon cameras available. We hope this guide can help get rid of some of the confusion.

Here are the lenses we suggest for Canon DSLRs as well as mirrorless cameras:

  • Best overall: Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
  • Best budget: Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro Lens
  • For beginners: Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Lens
  • The best third-party lens: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens for Canon EF
  • Best for professional photographers: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens

What we chose to pick the most effective macro-lens for Canon

To determine our rating of the most effective camera lenses that work with Canon we selected the latest lenses that work with Canon’s latest lines of interchangeable lenses cameras, including the full frame mirrorless camera and Canon’s DSLR camera systems. We did not just research and evaluated lenses produced by Canon but also considered a number of third-party lens makers. We also picked models that attract the largest range of content creators and photographers.

Beyond selecting a lens, there are a few important aspects to keep in mind when taking macro photos:

  • Make use of a tripod for minimizing even tiny vibrations, which can blur your photographs.
  • Be conscious that when taking macro images you’ll be dealing with a low depth of field which makes it difficult to keep your subject’s focus especially when shooting outdoors.
  • If you’re shooting with a hand-held camera make use of in-camera image stabilizer lens-based (or lens-based) IS, or, the best option is the combination IS system that combines IBIS, as well as optical (or lens-based) IS.
  • While shooting outdoors, you must be aware that even a light breeze can cause your subject to be away from the frame.
  • When using a small macro lens, make sure not to cast shadows upon the subject.
  • If your lens is autofocus, test using AF both on and off to determine which one gives you the most effective results.
  • Learn the instruction guide for your lens’s macro.
  • Be patient.

 

The top macro lens for Canon reviews and recommendations.

Best overall: Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

What made the Film: It’s the first real RF macro lens to be found in Canon’s full-frame mirrorless lens line and comes with 1.4x magnification.

Principal Features

  • Mount / Format: RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Magnification 1.4:1 magnification
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2 inches
  • Autofocus Yes

Pros

  • Unique bokeh control ring
  • Has 1.4x magnification
  • Includes optical image stabilization
  • Dual-focus system
  • Light f/2.8 maximum aperture

Cons

  • Expensive

The RF 100mm f/2.8 is the first Canon RF macro lens within Canon’s full frame mirrorless lens range. It has an amazing feature called Spherical Aberration Control. It is often referred to as a control for bokeh because it lets you determine the degree or amount of blur or bokeh in the background and foreground. Additionally, it comes with silent and quiet autofocus which is useful when shooting wildlife.

Another important aspect for photographers who shoot macros is the fact that this lens comes with a 1.4x magnification. This means that the subject will be 40 percent bigger than you can get with Canon’s EF DSLR macro lens. Because the latest EOS RF cameras, such as those with the R5 and R3 are equipped with high-resolution sensors and the 1.4:1 magnification ratio lets the cameras capture stunning tiny details in sharp focus. Furthermore, because both the lens as well as the cameras have IS systems in operation, you can enjoy another level of technology to stabilize your photos. This can be extremely effective, especially when you’re in dim lighting.

 

Best budget: Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 Ultra Macro Lens

Why It Was cut: The Laowa 25mm is a distinctive macro lens that has a Magnification Range of 1:2.5 up to 1:5.

The Key Features

  • Mount / Format: RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Magnification 2.5:1 or 5:1 to magnification ratios.
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 6.8 inches
  • Autofocus No

Pros

  • Cost-effective
  • It has a 2.5x to 5x magnification range.
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • There is no autofocus or auto exposure capabilities.
  • Lacks optical image stabilization

One of the features that make this a distinctive macro lens suitable for Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras, or the Canon EOS DSLR is it gives you the capability to capture images with a variety of magnifications ranging from 2.5x through 5x. This is a powerful lens. The lens is also light, and in fact is the lightest of the lenses we recommend, apart from the Canon EF 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM lens. It’s also less than most lenses designed for a camera with an interchangeable lens.

However, it lacks certain features that other photographers may consider important. This lens doesn’t have the capability to focus infinity. If it is set at 5:1 magnification this lens has a minimum focus distance of 6.1 inches, and an operating distance (or the distance between towards the back of the lens) in the range of 1.6 inches. In the 2.5:1 setting the lens has a minimum focus distance of 9.2 inches and a working distance of 1.8 inches. In both instances it is necessary to be close to your subject this can be difficult when shooting wildlife-related subjects. It is also easy to cast a shadow over the subject. However, it does feature an 8-blade diaphragm to create an attractive blur.

It’s less flexible as other macro lenses, since you’re not able to use it in different kinds of photography for example, landscapes or portraits however, it can create amazing macro images.

 

Ideal for those who are just starting out: Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM Lens

What made the Film: The Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 macro lens is light compact, compact, and smartly constructed prime for Canon’s M-series of mirrorless cameras.

The Key Features

  • Mount / Format: EF-M Mount Lens/APS-C Format
  • Magnification 1.2:1 magnification
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 3.7 inches
  • Autofocus Yes

Pros

  • With a built-in LED light
  • Compact
  • Lightweight
  • Is an image stabilizer that is lens-based
  • Cost-effective

Cons

  • Maximum aperture is f/3.5 It’s not as wide as macro lenses.

The first features you’ll notice on this EF-M28mm f/3.5 Macro IS STM lens is the unique feature of an LED light. It’s the first macro lens equipped with a built-in macro light that is able to light up difficult-to-capture subjects. (Note that you’ll have to remove the lens’s hood in order to activate the light source which you control via buttons located on the sides of the lens.)

It’s also great the fact that its autofocus system is able to work in both ends of the spectrum. It is able to focus infinity when using normal shooting as well as it has a super Macro mode (which allows for magnifications as high as 1.2x). Additionally it comes with the Hybrid IS image stabilization system to ensure stability that helps you get sharp and clear images, while decreasing blur caused by camera shake. It’s also user-friendly and is light compact design and a clever layout. It’s also very affordable.

 

Best third-party lens: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens

What made the cut: Sigma’s 70mm f/2.8 with 1x magnification makes an ideal choice for a macro made by a third-party lens maker.

Principal Features

  • Mount / Format: EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Magnification 1:1 magnification
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 10.2 inches
  • Autofocus Yes

Pros

  • Portable and compact
  • Sharp and free of distortion
  • 1x magnification
  • The AF/MF switch can be used to switch between manual focus and autofocus.

Cons

  • Lacks optical (lens-based) image stabilization
  • Lens telescopes out when it is focus

If you’re looking to purchase an easy-to-use, versatile micro-prime that works with EOS DSLR models that isn’t produced by Canon, this telephoto lens by Sigma could be a good choice. It’s lightweight, compact and compact and is able to create videos and images which are clear and free of distortion. It can also capture macro images with a magnification factor of 1:1. There’s an option within the lens that allows you to change between manual focus and autofocus.

It’s not perfect as it isn’t equipped with the optical stabilizer within the lens as well as the barrel expands when it’s focused. But it’s a solid, well-built macro lens. Since it’s an EF lens specifically designed exclusively for DSLR cameras by Canon, you are able to make use of it using one of the two adapters available on mirrorless cameras. Canon’s Mount Adapter EF EOS M to attach this lens on any EOS M-series of mirrorless cameras. You can also use the Mount Adapter EF EOS R-series to connect this macro lens onto an R-series full frame mirrorless camera.

 

Best for professionals: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo Lens

What made the Cutting:The MP-E 65mm is the only Canon-branded lens that can be used for taking pictures with magnification levels ranging from 1x to 5x magnification.

Principal Features

  • Mount / Format: EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Magnification 1:1-5:1
  • Minimum Focusing Distance: 9.45 inches
  • Autofocus No

Pros

  • Can take macro photos between a 1:1 and 5 :1 magnification
  • Versatile for macro photography
  • Included is a magnifying ring
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Expensive
  • No autofocus, image stabilization or image autofocus.

For professional photographers that prefers macro photography, regardless of whether you do commercial photography, nature, science as well as food, this lens is a good tool to improve your photography workflow. Although it’s a shorter telephoto prime lens (65mm) for full-frame Canon DSLRs as well as an a bit longer prime lens for telephoto (104mm) suitable for Canon APS-C DSLRs, it does not have the ability to concentrate on infinity as other macro lenses are able to. Therefore, it’s actually focused on capturing macro shots.

The most impressive thing about this lens is that it can render your subjects with a variety of magnification levels: from 1x up to 5x in-person magnification. However, since it’s a telephoto lens, it comes with the minimum focus range in the range of 9.4 inches. It also makes use of floating elements to preserve high-quality throughout the range of focusing. This is a completely manual focus lens. However, it can also accept a macro ring light or a macro twin light to enhance your lighting setup. It is also equipped with an extra tripod collar to provide stability.

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