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The best Canon lenses for macro photography

Discover the best Canon macro lenses, according to three Canon Ambassadors shooting in different environments, and hear what macro photographer Oliver Wright has to say about the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM.
A close-up of a small crested gecko with bulging eyes and its tongue curled around the side of its face.

Macro photographer Oliver Wright photographed this tiny crested gecko using the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens, the world's first autofocus macro lens with 1.4x close magnification for full-frame cameras. "The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM is unlike anything that has gone before it," says Canon Europe Professional Imaging Product Specialist Mike Burnhill. Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens at 1/160 sec, f/4.5 and ISO3200. © Oliver Wright

Which are the best lenses for macro photography? Besides the high magnification that enables you to capture tiny details and textures, what are the other essential features to look for when choosing a lens for close-ups?

Here, three Canon Ambassadors working in different environments – wildlife photographer Christian Ziegler , still life photographer Eberhard Schuy , and news and documentary photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien – share their favourite Canon lenses for macro, while Mike Burnhill, Canon Europe's Professional Imaging Product Specialist and an expert on lens design and technology, explains why each lens is particularly suited to close-up and macro work.

In addition, wildlife, macro and adventure photographer Oliver Wright reveals how he made use of the versatility of the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens to take his work to a new level on a recent shoot.
"When I started to shoot 25 years ago, my main focus was macro," says Christian. "I was a biologist working in the tropics, and the diversity of plants and small animals was so overwhelming and exciting. I spent many days exploring the hidden biodiversity of Panama's rainforests, looking for interesting insects, flowers and fungi. I still use macro lenses extensively."

Eberhard prefers the control of the studio, opting to do as much as possible in-camera and often utilising the tilt-and-shift movements of Canon's TS-E lenses to alter the plane of focus and match his creative vision. "In my still life photography, everything is staged. All of my pictures are precisely planned – the way I represent objects and how I envelop them in light is connected to the focal length and my proximity to them. The most important parts of my photograph are clear in advance and I always select the most appropriate lens for the work I intend to do," he says.

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In her photojournalism and documentary photography, Ilvy usually gets close to her subjects emotionally more often than physically. "Winning the trust of people is essential for good reportage," she says. The small details of their environments and activities, however, can be particularly intriguing and revealing, and Ilvy was pleased to be able to add a new dimension to her work with a compact, versatile RF-mount prime lens designed for macro as well as portrait photography.

Not sure whether macro photography is really for you? One inexpensive way to try it out is using an extension tube on your EF lenses, a simple accessory that increases the magnification of your existing EF lens and enables it to shoot closer subjects than normal. Mike Burnhill explains: "Extension tubes such as the Canon Extension Tube EF 12 II are often the unsung heroes of macro photography, and for me this is the place to start. These low-cost solutions can make any EF lens a macro lens without affecting image quality or performance too much. Even as you progress, these tubes can be partnered with dedicated macro lenses to get even closer. These simple tubes can be used by everyone, from beginners to professionals, to achieve macro results with existing EF lenses."

Ready to get serious about macro? Whether you're looking for a versatile, hard-wearing macro lens or specialist glass capable of capturing 5x magnification close-ups, here are the best Canon lenses for macro photography.
A close-up of a butterfly with transparent wings edged with red, black and white.

The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens design and dual Nano USM motors suppress focus breathing. "It's a feature that really stands out," says Oliver. "I used focus bracketing with the Canon EOS R5 on a number of subjects during a shoot at a tropical butterfly house. When editing those images, 'stacking' them was easier because the subjects hadn't changed size as much as they would have done in the past." Taken on a Canon EOS R5 with a Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens at 1/100 sec, f/5 and ISO3200. © Oliver Wright

1. Best all-round RF-mount macro lens: Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

As the world's first full-frame autofocus macro lens with a greater than life-size magnification, image stabilisation and control of the look of the bokeh, this RF lens is hugely versatile. When macro photographer Oliver Wright tried out the lens, he found having all these features in a single lens enabled him to add another perspective to his work.

"One of the key features from a macro photographer's perspective is that it allows you to go all the way to 1.4x magnification," says Oliver. "Basically, the size of the subject is going to be 40% larger, so you are going to be that much more zoomed into the image. It also means you're not having to work with extension tubes," he adds. "In terms of convenience and usability, that makes a big, big difference with this lens.
A Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens.

Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM

The world’s first AF macro lens with an incredible 1.4x close-up magnification. A Spherical Aberration Control ring lets you vary the bokeh, making this an exquisite portrait lens too.
"Another benefit is the Hybrid IS," Oliver continues. "I often do my macro work handheld because a lot of the time I'm photographing subjects that move. A tripod just isn't going to work. With this RF macro lens and the Canon EOS R5, because you have stabilisation in both the lens and the camera body, I can get away with using quite ridiculously slow shutter speeds."

Oliver adds that the lens's Spherical Aberration Control allows him to control the look of the foreground and background bokeh (softening or hardening it), while adding a soft-focus effect on the subject. "It's a really exciting creative tool," he says, whether you are shooting macro, portrait or product photography. "I've been using the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens for about 10 years, and now using the Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM lens it feels quite familiar," says Oliver. "The EF lens was super sharp, and this lens is even sharper."

Canon Europe product specialist Mike Burnhill says: "The Canon RF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM takes all the great things about the legendary EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens and elevates the features to another level. Being able to get close enough to subjects to capture them at 1.4x life-size makes an amazing difference to your images that the numbers just can't convey. "While typically thought of as a macro lens, the lens is also at home as a portrait lens," adds Mike. "Its EF cousin was widely used as both, and this RF lens will almost certainly be no different."
A close-up of a honeycomb.

Even shooting handheld at 1/60 sec, Ilvy Njiokiktjien was able to capture this beautifully detailed macro image of a honeycomb. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens at 1/60 sec, f/2 and ISO1600. © Ilvy Njiokiktjien

A close-up of a sheep's eye.

With fast, silent autofocus even when taking close-ups, shallow depth of field, plus up to 5-stop Image Stabilization, the Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM is a versatile addition to any kitbag. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens at 1/800 sec, f/2 and ISO400. © Ilvy Njiokiktjien

2. Best lens for low-light macro: Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM

Having a portrait lens with a half-life-size macro function gives you two lenses in one. It's a feature that documentary photographer Ilvy Njiokiktjien, the first pro to shoot with this RF lens, uses to add a new layer to her work.

"It just gives me more options," she says. "Many of my newspaper and magazine clients are always looking for digital storytelling projects, and when you're using photography online you need to have a big variety of images. With this lens I can always add macro to a set of pictures.

"I used it to photograph close-ups of nature during a portrait shoot on a farm, and the results are so vivid and bright – and of course very sharp. In one image of a bee's honeycomb you can see all the tiny structures. In a shot of sheep's wool you can make out each individual hair – it's almost like looking through a microscope.
A Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM lens.

Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM

Capture your subject's true spirit with a lens offering subtle telephoto perspective for flattering portraits plus macro close focusing and 5-stop Image Stabilization for excellent versatility.
"The honeycomb image was taken handheld at 1/60 second, and it's super-sharp thanks to the Hybrid Image Stabilization. At that shutter speed, the results would normally be quite shaky, but the Hybrid IS really works.

"The autofocus locked on quickly, even when shooting close-ups. The lens has a focus limiter switch, so you can prevent the camera trying to focus throughout the entire range."

Mike says: "Being a telephoto lens means that unlike with the RF 35mm F1.8 MACRO IS STM you do not have to be so close to capture macro images, which can mean there is less likelihood you will block the light reaching the subject. Plus, as you don't have to get so close, it's more suited to shooting animals and insects without disturbing the subject. As well as being a macro lens, this lens is also an excellent portrait lens – so two possibilities in one!"
A close-up of a green hybrid splendid spider orchid against a black background.

This portrait of a hybrid splendid spider orchid (Caladenia splendens) for National Geographic epitomises the close-up work that wildlife photographer Christian Ziegler is best known for. Taken on a Canon EOS 5D (now succeeded by the EOS 5D Mark IV) with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens at 1/80 sec, f/16 and ISO100. © Christian Ziegler/National Geographic Magazine

A photo of a bright green and orange panther chameleon taken with a Canon macro lens.

Groundbreaking IS has enabled Christian to capture striking close-ups, such as this male panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis). Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X (now succeeded by the EOS-1D X Mark III) with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens at 1/125 sec, f/16 and ISO800. © Christian Ziegler/National Geographic Magazine

3. Best all-round EF-mount macro lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

"I carry a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens with me every day when I'm in the field. It's a super sharp, hardy and reliable macro lens," says Christian.

"I still remember when the then-new macro lens with the Image Stabilizer (IS) function was released [in 2009]. I took it with me on assignment to the Congo. I was hoping to capture close-ups of chameleons and maybe orchids. I discovered that if I reduced the exposure to 1/25 sec it was still sharp, which allowed me to shoot in the low light of the rainforest without a flash. Sometimes I use it as a straightforward lens, with flashes to give depth and detail. And sometimes I use it on a tripod with a very long exposure. It's really flexible."
A Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

The Hybrid IS, f/2.8 aperture and fast USM autofocusing system combine to make this a unique lens that performs exceptionally well.
"Due to its versatility, this is possibly one of Canon's most popular lenses," says Mike. "Not only can it do 1:1 macro with image stabilisation, it can also be used as a portrait lens, thanks to its focal length and fast aperture. A surprising number of photographers who don't usually shoot macro have this lens in their kitbags. It's the Swiss Army knife of macro lenses."

As an L-series lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is robustly built with weather sealing, and also features some of the most advanced IS and autofocus technologies available. "Until recently, I only used manual focus mode," Christian admits. "But with the new Canon EOS-1D X Mark III – and its Dual Pixel CMOS AF – I use the autofocus more readily because I have more choice."
A close-up of cherry truffles covered in chocolate shavings, with two fresh cherries behind.

Eberhard has used selective or differential focus to highlight the pralines in the foreground of this shot of chocolate and cherries. "The different-sized objects, the distance that was necessary to represent them in this way, with the subtle focus and blurring, I could achieve only with the Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens," he says. Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens at 1 sec, f/22 and ISO100. © Eberhard Schuy/cologn

4. Best EF macro lens for precision sharpness and blur: Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro

"The objects I photograph are rarely very big, so I work almost exclusively with macro lenses," says Eberhard. "Since the blurring in the image is almost more important to me than sharpness, it is the tilt-and-shift lenses that enable me to capture my pictures as I imagine them to be.

"With a Canon EOS 5DS R and a Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens, I can precisely define the areas that are sharp and blurred, and create the 'perfect' picture without extensive post-processing. The requirements for such product shots are then relatively simple – very good detail reproduction, high resolution and no distortion even with unusual perspectives – and the choice of equipment is relatively easy."
A Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens.

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro

A macro focus capability of 49cm means 1:2 life size images can be delicately focused with added control over perspective and depth of field.
Mike adds: "The Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro's longer focal length allows a greater distance between the subject and the camera. This makes it ideal in a studio as the greater working distance enables more room for the use of complex lighting setups. The focal length also matches that of the standard lens of large-format cameras, giving similar compression and movements for those photographers familiar with this format."
A close-up of carrot peelings, fresh thyme and dill.

"The small focus range on the Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro means this picture looks almost as if it was taken with a wide-angle lens," says Eberhard. "The large area of blurred background is responsible for the overall impression." Taken on a Canon EOS 5DS R at 0.5 sec, f/8 and ISO100. © Eberhard Schuy/cologn

5. Best macro lens for shallow depth of field: Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro

"The focal length on the Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro is not that much shorter than the Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro lens, but the difference in minimum focus and focal length is clearly visible in the pictures it produces," says Eberhard. "I mostly use it for food shots; distortion is non-existent and the shorter focal length results in a somewhat more dynamic perspective.

"The Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens allows me to display particularly fine structures with a shallow depth of field. Light and sharpness are directly related, they determine the harmony in the picture; colour and brightness define the general mood."

Mike says: "A major upgrade of the old TS-E 90mm brings L-series performance and 1:2 life-size macro. Having both tilt-and-shift and macro functionality in one lens makes studio and close-up work possible with a small-format camera."
A Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro lens.

Canon TS-E 90mm f/2.8L Macro

Control perspective and depth-of-field in portrait and product photography thanks to carefully calibrated movements, outstanding optical engineering and precision-moulded glass.
A photo of two fig wasps on a fresh fig taken with a Canon macro lens.

Christian used a specialist Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro lens to photograph these tiny 1mm-long fig wasps – the 5x magnification makes it possible to see colours and details not visible with the human eye. "A fig expert in Panama showed me the ripe figs and the fig wasps that pollinate the flowers inside," he says. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II at 1/200 sec, f/16 and ISO1000. © Christian Ziegler/National Geographic Magazine

6. Best high magnification macro lens: Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo

"I first got this lens to document fig wasps in Panama," says Christian. "These are tiny wasps (less than 1mm in length), but they play a crucial role in tropical forests, pollinating fig trees which then feed the forest animals with sweet fig fruits.

"The 65mm super close-up lens starts at 1:1 and ends at 5:1. For example, the 1mm-long wasp is five times bigger in the image. It opens up a new dimension – up close the fig wasps are amazing jewel-like colours – metallic greens and blues. I love this lens because it allows me to enter a hidden kingdom of tiny treasures."

Mike adds: "A one of a kind for the true close-up enthusiast. With its furthest focusing distance being 1:1 and its closest being five times life size, this is not your everyday lens. It takes some time to understand how to use this lens but once you do it opens up a new world of photography. In this specialist macro world, manual focus is still a more suitable focus system."
A Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo lens.

Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo

A specialist manual-focus lens designed exclusively for macro shooting with magnification 5x larger than life size to capture detail beyond the human eye.

Written by Kevin Thomas Carter

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