Are you looking for the best lens for close up shots? Close-up shots require accuracy, precision, and technical expertise. Achieving these shots requires the right equipment to get the job done. The lens a photographer uses plays a major role in the success of such shots. It determines the depth-of-field, the exposure, the sharpness and clarity of the photos.
Finding the right lens is essential for any close-up shots, beyond any other equipment. With so many lenses in the market, it can be difficult to decide on which lens is best for close-up shooting.
This article will look into the 12 best lenses for close-up shots. We’ll compare and contrast the features of each lens, discussing the pros and cons of each. We’ll then conclude which lens will be best for close-up shots, based on your specific needs.
Contents
- 1 1. Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
- 2 2. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
- 3 3. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro
- 4 4. Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE
- 5 5. Olympus 60mm f/2.8 M.ZUIKO
- 6 6. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro
- 7 7. Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
- 8 8. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
- 9 9. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM
- 10 10. Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro
- 11 11. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM
- 12 12. Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
- 13 Final Thoughts On Best Lens For Close Up Shots
1. Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
The Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM is one of the best lenses for close-up shots. This lens features a focal length of 60mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. Its maximum magnification ratio of 1:1 and its full-time manual focus adds to the precision of close-up shots. Moreover, it has an inner focusing system, meaning that the length of the lens remains constant regardless of the focusing distance.
Pros:
• 60mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
• Full-time manual focus
• Inner focusing system
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
2. Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens is one of the best for close-up shots. It offers a 90mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It features a built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization system that helps reduce blur and camera shake during long exposure shots. The lens also has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1 and a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches.
Pros:
• 90mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Built-in Optical SteadyShot
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
• Minimum focusing distance of 11 inches
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
3. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro
The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro is designed for close-up shots. It has a 90mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It features a Vibration Compensation system that reduces blur and camera shake during long exposures. The lens also has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1 and a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches.
Pros:
• 90mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Vibration Compensation system
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
• Minimum focusing distance of 11 inches
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
4. Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE
The Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE lens is an excellent choice for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 85mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.4. It also features a floating elements system for maintaining sharpness and clarity across the frame, even at close distances. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of five feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 1.5:1.
Pros:
• 85mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/1.4
• Floating elements system
• Minimum focusing distance of five feet
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1.5:1
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
5. Olympus 60mm f/2.8 M.ZUIKO
The Olympus 60mm f/2.8 M.ZUIKO is an excellent choice for close-up shots. This lens has a focal length of 60mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It also features a near-silent autofocus system and a snap-in lens hood for protection against light. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of seven inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.
Pros:
• 60mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Near-silent autofocus system
• Snap-in lens hood
• Minimum focusing distance of seven inches
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
6. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro is one of the best lenses for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 105mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It also features a Hyper Sonic Motor and a focusing clutch system for quick, accurate focusing. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of eight inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.
Pros:
• 105mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Hyper Sonic Motor
• Focusing clutch system
• Minimum focusing distance of eight inches
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
7. Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
The Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is one of the best lenses for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 105mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction system for sharper photos, even at close distances. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of one foot and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.
Pros:
• 105mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Vibration Reduction (VR) system
• Minimum focusing distance of one foot
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
8. Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD
The Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD is a great choice for Close up shots. This super telephoto lens has a focal length of 150-600mm and a maximum aperture of f/5-6.3. It also features a built-in Vibration Compensator to help reduce blur and camera shake. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 5.6 feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.
Pros:
• 150-600mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/5-6.3
• Built-in Vibration Compensator
• Minimum focusing distance of 5.6 feet
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:3
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
9. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM is one of the best lenses for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 100mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It also features an Image Stabilization system for sharper photos, even at close distances. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of three feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.
Pros:
• 100mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Image Stabilization system
• Minimum focusing distance of three feet
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:2
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
10. Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro
The Pentax D FA 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens is an excellent choice for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 100mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It also features a SP (Super Protect) coating, which helps reduce dirt, dust, and water off the front of the lens. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of one foot and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1.
Pros:
• 100mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• SP (Super Protect) coating
• Minimum focusing distance of one foot
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:1
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
11. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM
The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM lens is an excellent choice for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 70-200mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It features an advanced SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor) focusing system for quick and accurate focusing, even in low-light conditions. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 4.6 feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.
Pros:
• 70-200mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Advanced SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor) focusing system
• Minimum focusing distance of 4.6 feet
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:3
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
12. Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
The Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens is designed for close-up shots. This mid-telephoto lens has a focal length of 200mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8. It also has a large maximum aperture and an ultra-fast autofocus system, allowing you to take sharp, clear photos even in low light. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of five feet and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:6.
Pros:
• 200mm focal length
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8
• Large maximum aperture
• Ultra-fast autofocus system
• Minimum focusing distance of five feet
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:6
Cons:
• Expensive
• Not suitable for wide-angle shots
Final Thoughts On Best Lens For Close Up Shots
The best lens for close-up shots depends on your specific needs and budget. All of the lenses mentioned in this article are great options for such shots. They all have a mid-telephoto focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or greater, allowing you to capture sharp, clear photos even in low light. Most of them also have a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1 or higher and a minimum focusing distance of one foot or less.
Overall, the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS, Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Macro and Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE are the best lenses for close-up shots. They offer the highest quality and performance and are a great choice for any close-up photographer.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly lens, then the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 M.ZUIKO and Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro are good choices. They offer good quality and performance at a more affordable price.
Whichever lens you choose, you can be sure that you’ll be able to capture stunning close-up shots. Happy shooting!