§ 01 Other use cases

Best Macro Lenses for Nikon F

Macro lenses for Nikon F covers 27 lenses in the Lens Arena database, spanning 15–180 mm. Launch prices run from about $199 to $749. Releases span 1997 to 2026.

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Our picks

From manufacturer specs
PickLensKey figureWhy
BrightestVenus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APOf/1.7Brightest maximum aperture here at f/1.7, 0.5 stops brighter than the next (Mitakon 20 mm f/2.0 4.5x Super Macro at f/2).
LightestMitakon 20 mm f/2.0 4.5x Super Macro230 gLightest here at 230 g, 78 g less than the next lightest (Venus Optics LAOWA 15 mm f/4.5 0.5x Macro).
Best for APS-C bodiesTamron SP AF 60 mm f/2.0 Di II LD (IF) Macro 1:1f/2Brightest lens here designed for APS-C, at f/2, about 90 mm full-frame equivalent.
NewestVenus Optics LAOWA Aksen 45 mm f/2.8 1-5x Ultra Macro APOJul 2026Released Jul 2026, the most recent after Venus Optics LAOWA Aksen 17.5 mm f/1.7 5-10x Ultra Macro APO (picked above).
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Sample frames from the top lenses

One frame per lens
Photo taken with the Tamron SP AF 60 mm f/2.0 Di II LD (IF) Macro 1:1 by Nick Biswell – Spiky Parlour
Tamron SP AF 60 mm f/2.0 Di II LD (IF) Macro 1:1 by Nick Biswell
Photo taken with the Venus Laowa 15mm F4 1:1 Macro by Alex Roukis – Giant Orchid (Orthochilus ecristata)
Venus Laowa 15mm F4 1:1 Macro by Alex Roukis
Photo taken with the Venus Laowa 24mm F14 2x Macro Probe by flipNfill@Sam Ginger – Micro 04
Venus Laowa 24mm F14 2x Macro Probe by flipNfill@Sam Ginger
Photo taken with the Venus Optics LAOWA 25 mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro by Klaus Ficker --Landscape and Nature Photographer-- – Closeup Beetle shot
Venus Optics LAOWA 25 mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro by Klaus Ficker --Landscape and Nature Photographer--
Photo taken with the Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM by redskin83 – 500_5784
Sigma C 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM by redskin83
Photo taken with the Sigma 18 300 F3.5 6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C by Zygonyx – Aggressive cooting
Sigma 18 300 F3.5 6.3 DC Macro OS HSM C by Zygonyx
Photo taken with the Sigma C 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM by ritomo – IMGP0012
Sigma C 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM by ritomo
Photo taken with the Tamron AF 18-270 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO by Logos: The Art of Photography – Home of the Humpback - 99 images - Nikon D800 with Tamron AF 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II [VC] PZD B008 (F mount) & Polarizer
Tamron AF 18-270 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO by Logos: The Art of Photography
Photo taken with the Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO by Thanks for 6,600,000 views! – venice beach skateboarder 26a (08-2012) -b&w
Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Asph. (IF) MACRO by Thanks for 6,600,000 views!
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How we chose

Lenses the manufacturer designates as macro. Picks come from manufacturer specifications: the brightest maximum aperture, the lowest weight, APS-C and third-party options, and the most recent release. We do not rank on sharpness, bokeh or autofocus, because we have no test data for them. Use the sample frames and video reviews on each lens page to judge those.

All 27 macro lenses for Nikon F

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