Most professional photographers already know about macro photography but If you’re an amateur, you might not be.
Macro photography is a close-up image of everyday objects where you can see every little detail. It’s photography with a 1:1 magnification and cannot be captured with a normal lens.
To get into macro work, you need the right lens to capture the image. Macro lenses make it possible for you to capture every single detail.
So, we made a list of the best macro lenses for Nikons in 2020. Here, we’ll review our favorite macro lenses so you can make the best choice for your Nikon camera.
Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G VR IF-ED Micro-NIKKOR Lens
Check the price at Amazon.
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum focus distance: 31cm
Filter size: 62mm
Image stabilization: Yes
The Nikon AF-S 105mm Micro-NIKKOR is the perfect lens for focusing on macro photography. It’s our favorite one and we recommend it if you can fit it into your budget.
Nikon uses their nano-crystal coat and ED glass on this lens to cut down on glare and chromatic aberration that can show up in your shot. This gives you the perfect images when you go out and shoot.
This lens is also equipped with the brand’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) to improve light transmission.
The VR in the name represents their Vibration Reduction technology. This technology ensures vibrating has zero effects on your images. The high-speed autofocus that’s amazing and almost always accurate and it uses the Silent Wave Motor (SWM) to change traveling waves into rotational energy.
With the high aperture of the lens, the background blur will impress you. Plus, it works just as well for taking portraits and other images as it does for macro photography.
Check the price and read reviews of the Nikon AF-S 105mm f/2.8G at Amazon.
Nikon AF FX Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4.0D IF-ED Lens
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Maximum aperture: f/4
Minimum focus distance: 48cm
Filter size: 62mm
Image stabilization: No
This Nikon lens is one of the top lenses out there. It’s been around since 1993 though they’ve updated the model in recent years.
This lens is designed for a full-frame with a larger sensor though it also works well with small DX-format digital SLR cameras.
One downside to this lens is that is doesn’t have an auto-focus motor. So, if your camera doesn’t have auto-focus, the lens won’t be able to compensate on its own.
That said, It does have a manual focus ring and an internal focusing mechanism that promises constant barrel length when you focus on the subject.
The lens aperture diaphragm has nine diaphragm blades. This helps produce depth and capture those tiny images, making them sharp and beautiful. This lens is perfect for macro photography.
Nikon AF FX Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Fixed Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras at Amazon.
Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro VC USD Lens
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Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum focus distance: 30cm
Filter size: 62mm
Image stabilization: Yes
Tamron is a great substitute for buying a Nikon macro lens. Tamron lenses are high-quality and produce beautiful images.
This lens is dust-resistant, moisture-proof, and has a fluorine coating so you don’t have to worry as much when the weather turns bad when capturing shots outdoors in the natural light. The coating helps repel water and prevents fingerprints from building up.
This lens also uses advanced coating technology to reduce flares, glares, and ghosting and an XY-Shift compensation to reinforce VC functionality which creates image stabilization and vibration reduction.
Check the price and Read Reviews of the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 at Amazon.
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens
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Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum focus distance: 30cm
Filter size: 62mm
Image stabilization: No
This Tamron lens is designed for both SLR and digital SLR cameras. Like the model above, it’s a great lens choice for your Nikon. It’s often referred to as the “portrait macro” lens.
This is an update from the original 90mm lens from Tamron. It’s one of their Super Performance (SP) lens created to match what professionals and buyers wanted.
The Tamron AF 90mm is lightweight compared to most lenses, light enough to carry around and pull out whenever you need it.
Unlike the previous Tamron lens, this one doesn’t offer image stabilization. You have to be careful of vibration while shooting.
That said, it does have a focus ring. Thanks to this ring, you can switch between auto-focus and manual focus with little delay. It takes a little slide motion to choose between options.
The lens is made of nine diaphragm blades that give you a great background blur that’s not at all messy or unattractive.
You can also use this lens for videos and still get beautiful resolution and detail. The contrast is superb.
Check the price and Read Reviews of the Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 at Amazon.
Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR Camera
Check the price at Amazon.
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum focus distance: 31cm
Filter size: 62mm
Image stabilization: Yes
This Sigma macro lens is one of the more affordable choices out there and the cheaper price doesn’t affect the quality and ability of the lens.
It’s designed for full-frame digital SLR Nikon cameras but can also fit smaller ASP-c size sensors.
The lens takes images at 1:1 magnification and greater. It uses its Optical Stabilizer to ensure there’s image stabilization so most vibration won’t impact your images whatsoever.
The floating inner focus system makes it so there’s high rendering throughout the focus range and it has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm. The diaphragm creates the blur to the out of focus areas that makes it look better.
This lens has a Super Multi-Layer Coating that makes glare practically disappear. It also reduces ghosting in your images.
Check the price and Read Reviews of the Sigma 105mm F2.8 at Amazon.
The Bottom Line
Macro photography isn’t just for professional photographers. Macro shots are fun sub-type of photography to try out that gives you a different and unique perspective on the world.
