9+ Best Macro Lenses For Nikon D7500 2021 | Ultimate Guide & Reviews

What to look for in a Nikon DSLR macro lens

Try not to let cheap lenses get your attention too often. If you end up with a product that doesn’t meet your expectations, you’ve wasted your money.

In photographic terms, there is a huge difference between cheap and affordable.

For extreme close-up photography, you need a true macro lens that allows you to take pictures at 1: 2 or 1: 1. This means half-life at full size respectively, without the use of any accessories.

Non-Nikon macro lenses for Nikon cameras

Nikon calls its macro lenses Micro-NIKKOR, but that means the same thing. And while they offer an impressive range, you can also use quality third-party lenses, some of which I cover in this guide.

Not all macro lenses are created equal, and many of those that offer macro capabilities are not true macro lenses at all. You will surely have come across the following three terms in your online macro lens search:

• Macro zoom lens
• Closure filters
• Fixed focal length macro lenses

Forget about macro zoom lenses that let you take close-ups, but NOT extreme close-ups (1: 1 full size or larger). These lenses do not offer the same quality or versatility as true macro optics .

Close-up filters are a great, inexpensive way to learn about close-up photography, but that’s it. Forget about filters if you are serious about macro photography. They produce soft edges and can be difficult to focus on subjects at close range.

For true macro photography – one that produces professional results – you need a fixed focal length macro lens. These offer the sharpest images, ease of use, and general versatility. These are the real ones and the ones we focus on throughout this guide.

It is important to know that the greater the focal length, the more the working distance increases. This is useful if you need some space between you and your subject, such as when photographing bugs, for example.

What to expect when spending more on a macro lens?

Things that cost more are usually more expensive for a reason, and quality macro lenses are no different. With a higher price tag, you can expect sharper images, better optics, and superior materials used in the construction of the product.

To be honest,

Even mid-range macro lenses today far exceed photographers’ expectations. They give us very sharp and distortion-free images.

The longer the focal length, the more options you have for serious macro shots. Longer lenses, however, come at a higher price, so for many, it’s about finding the right balance.

Why is focal length important?

The focal length of a quality macro lens is important because it allows you to take very close-up photos at a certain distance, such as one or two feet away. If you get too close you can block the light with your own shadow or scare the living things you are trying to capture.

The focal length is less of a problem for photographing inanimate objects using a good travel tripod and timer. But if you intend to get up close to living things – and you probably will – then think about it.

A good or high-quality fixed focal length macro lens can cost you from a few hundred dollars to over $ 1,000. What you decide will depend on your budget and your expectations.

With the help of this guide, you will have a much better idea of ​​what type of macro lens is best for you and meets your photographic needs. You will also realize that by spending a little more, you will get a lot in return in the longer run.

Image stabilization

Increasingly, macro prime lenses today feature image stabilization.

Some, like the Canon EF 100mm f / 2.8L Macro IS USM and the latest edition of the Tamron SP 90mm f / 2.8 Di VC USD Macro, have hybrid stabilizers. They are more effective for close-up shooting, as they correct for vertical/horizontal camera shift as well as the more common vibrations or “wobbles” associated with handheld photography. But while stabilization is nice to have for general and moderately close-up shots, it is of negligible advantage for very close-up shots.

Generally,

We recommend a macro lens with a focal length of 90-105mm, a fairly fast aperture of f / 2.8, good autofocus and manual focus, as well as effective image stabilization if your camera doesn’t. does not have built-in offset sensor stabilization.

Autofocus, quick aperture and stabilizer are more suited to portrait and general short-telephoto shooting than macro photography, but it’s still nice for a lens to have multitasking capabilities.

Final thoughts

Not all photographic lenses are created equal in size, weight, features, feel, or functionality. Sometimes the differences between the optics are minor, other times they are more important, at least for the user.

There are macro photographers who only focus on close-up work. And there are those who enjoy taking extreme close-up photos as part of their wider love of photography.

If landscapes and working up close (other than living) are your passion, you don’t need more expensive telephotos. In this case, the less expensive and high-performance Nikon 40mm F 2.8g AF-S DX wide-angle lens will come in handy.

Perhaps you are someone who enjoys photographing animals and people (especially portraits), as well as macro work. Then the TAMRON SP 90mm F / 2.8 Di Macro 1: 1 VC USD must be on your list of serious candidates.

And then there is the professional or the serious hobbyist with an obsession for the miniature world. If that’s you, it’s time to look at a lens with an extra focal length and a much longer working distance like the Nikon 200mm f / 4 AF-D Macro