Best Lenses under £400 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

79.1 Macro Score
18-55mm f/3.5 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Weighing 196g with a retractable barrel, this compact standard zoom uses a Pulse Stepping Motor for fast, near-silent autofocus and 4-stop vibration reduction for handheld sharpness. Its two aspherical elements effectively control distortion and spherical aberration, making it a strong budget-friendly kit lens upgrade for APS-C Nikon DSLRs. Best for beginners and travel photographers seeking a lightweight, versatile 27-82.5mm equivalent zoom with solid macro performance (73.1/100).

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Sigma Art 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM

72.4 Macro Score
28mm 1.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Combining an f/1.4 maximum aperture with 17 elements—including 3 aspherical and 5 ED glass—the lens delivers sharp, edge-to-edge clarity and strong contrast. Its weather-sealed barrel and HSM autofocus provide reliable, quiet performance in dusty or damp environments. It's best for landscape and street photographers who routinely shoot wide-open in low light and need a rugged, fast 28mm prime.

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Yongnuo YN35mm F2N

68.8 Macro Score
35mm f/2 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

A bright f/2 aperture and 7-blade diaphragm produce soft background blur and 14-point sunstars, while USB firmware updates keep the 318g metal-mount lens compatible with modern Nikon DSLRs. Full electronic compatibility—autofocus, manual focus, live view, and EXIF data—on full-frame and APS-C bodies adds practical value at its low price. This affordable prime suits Nikon DSLR shooters focused on macro-style close-ups and shallow depth-of-field portraits rather than landscapes.

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Rokinon 10MAF-N

63 Macro Score
10mm 22 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 10mm f/2.8 focal length combined with Nano Crystal Coating, ED and two aspherical elements delivers 110-degree edge-to-edge coverage on APS-C Nikon bodies, aided by an AE chip for auto metering. The manual-focus lens includes built-in stabilization and an inner focusing system that maintains a constant length while enabling a 9.5-inch close-focus distance for near-macro shots. This lens is best for architectural and landscape photographers who need dramatic ultra-wide perspectives, as well as journalists working in confined spaces.

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TTArtisan 11mm f/2.8

51 Macro Score
11mm 16 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The full-frame fisheye design and bright f/2.8 aperture deliver extreme distortion and strong low-light performance. Close focusing to 6.7 inches and a built-in lens hood protect the bulbous front element without added bulk. This lens is best for photographers wanting a dramatic fisheye perspective for creative close-ups and architecture, not for fast-moving wildlife.

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IRIX Dragonfly 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly

39.7 Macro Score
45mm 22 Nikon F Weather Sealed
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Samyang SYIO85AF-N

34.7 Macro Score
85mm 16 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 F pairs a bright f/1.4 aperture with a lightweight 480g body, weather sealing, and one aspherical plus one ED element for sharpness. Its Ultrasonic Dual Linear AF motor and nine-blade diaphragm deliver quiet, smooth bokeh at a price significantly below first-party 85mm lenses, as reflected by its strong budget scores. This lens is ideal for Nikon F-mount portrait and event photographers who demand a fast, portable telephoto prime that can handle dusty or damp conditions.

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Nikon Telephoto

31.2 Macro Score
420-800mm 16 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Offering a massive 420-800mm focal range with image stabilization in a portable 717g lens, this manual-focus telephoto stands out for reach, but its fixed f/8.3–16 aperture and lack of autofocus demand full manual control. The sturdy metal build and upgraded F-mount compatibility eliminate the need for a T adapter, making it an affordable super-telephoto entry for Nikon DSLR hobbyists. Best suited to amateur wildlife and moon photographers comfortable with manual exposure and focus, it falls short for professional or travel uses that require speed and brighter optics.

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Best Lenses under £800 for macro

Best Pick

Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF

70.7 Macro Score
20mm f/2.8 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 11-20mm zoom range and weather-sealed build make this lens a reliable tool for astrophotography and available-light interiors. Its One-Touch Focus Clutch mechanism and water-repellent front coating add practical, tactile control and durability that specs alone don't convey. This ultra-wide zoom is best for Nikon DX-format shooters specializing in landscape and architectural work who need consistent low-light performance.

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Tamron SP SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2

70.4 Macro Score
24-70mm 22 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 across 24-70mm and VC stabilization deliver sharp handheld images, while eBAND and fluorine coatings reduce flare and moisture. Moisture-resistant construction and fast USD autofocus come at a cost below first-party rivals. Best suited for budget-minded Nikon F shooters focused on portraiture or video where stabilization and constant aperture are critical.

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Nikon NIKKOR AF FX 20mm f/2.8D Fixed

70.1 Macro Score
20mm f/2.8 Nikon F (FX) IS
Why we recommend this

The 20mm f/2.8D delivers a 94-degree ultrawide view with edge-to-edge sharpness and Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating to suppress flare, all in a lightweight 162g build. Its Close Range Correction system enables distortion-free detail shots as close as 0.85 feet, adding uncommon close-focus versatility for a wide prime. This lens best suits architecture and real estate photographers who need a compact, fast ultrawide for interiors and detailed work, though landscape-specific scoring lags notably.

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Rokinon 20mm f/1.8 ED AS UMC

64.8 Macro Score
20mm f/1.8 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.8 aperture and 20mm focal length, combined with two aspherical and three ED elements, produce sharp, aberration-controlled images on full-frame Nikon F cameras. Its 485g manual focus design focuses down to 7.9 inches, and the 7-blade rounded diaphragm with Ultra Multi-Coating creates smooth bokeh while resisting flare. This lens suits astrophotographers and portrait shooters who prioritize a fast wide-angle perspective and hands-on control without needing autofocus.

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Rokinon Cine DS DS135M-N

47.2 Macro Score
135mm 22 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The Rokinon Cine DS 135mm T2.2 delivers full-frame telephoto reach with a fast T2.2 aperture and ED glass for controlled aberrations. Its unified gear positions and de-clicked aperture are tightly color-matched across the DS line, enabling quick lens swaps on a follow-focus rig. This lens is best for budget-conscious cinematographers needing a dedicated portrait or interview lens with smooth bokeh from its 9-blade diaphragm.

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Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM

45.2 Macro Score
50mm 16 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The f/1.4 maximum aperture and 13-element optical design with aspherical and ED glass deliver edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent low-light performance. Its 9-blade diaphragm produces smooth, natural bokeh, and the robust build ensures lasting reliability without weather sealing. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who need dependable autofocus and creative background blur in challenging light.

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Zeiss Planar Classic ZF.2 T* 50mm f/1.4 Standard Camera

30 Macro Score
50mm f/1.4 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

Its 10-element optical design with 1 aspherical and 4 ED elements, plus ZEISS T* coating, delivers exceptionally sharp images with minimal chromatic aberration and flare. The full-metal, 699g build provides a precise manual focus experience, and the user-declickable 10-blade aperture enables seamless iris adjustments for video. Best for portrait photographers seeking the signature “3D pop” and smooth bokeh, and for cinematographers who need stepless aperture control on Canon RF cameras.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for macro

Best Pick

IRIX 15mm f/2.4 Firefly

66.8 Macro Score
15mm f/2.4 Nikon F Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 15mm f/2.4 prime uses 15 elements including two aspherical, two ED, and Neutrino coating to suppress aberrations and flare, all in a weather-sealed magnesium housing with damped manual focus. Luminous depth-of-field markings and a 1:2 maximum magnification enable low-light precision, while its 95mm front and rear gelatin filter support attachment flexibility. It’s best for Nikon F landscape and architectural photographers who need a durable, all-weather ultra-wide prime with critical manual focus control.

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Best Lenses under £2,000 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

89.8 Macro Score
16-35mm 4 Nikon F IS
Why we recommend this

The constant f/4 aperture and 2.5-stop Vibration Reduction enable sharp handheld shooting across the 16-35mm ultrawide zoom range. Weighing just 122g, it's remarkably light for a full-frame lens, with Nano Crystal Coat and ED elements suppressing flare and chromatic aberration. This lens is best for landscape and interior photographers who need an ultrawide perspective with consistent exposure control.

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Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM

52.1 Macro Score
50-100mm 16 Nikon F
Why we recommend this

A constant f/1.8 aperture across a 50-100mm zoom range on APS-C delivers a bright telephoto equivalent of 80-160mm, with four ED elements and HSM autofocus. Its professional-grade resolution and robust build make it a standout for crop-sensor systems, though it lacks stabilization and weather sealing. Best for sports and portrait photographers on APS-C bodies who need fast aperture in a telephoto zoom without switching to full frame.

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Nikon Fisheye-NIKKOR 1910

55.9 Macro Score
16mm 2.8 Nikon F (FX)
Why we recommend this

Its 16mm focal length and bright f/2.8 aperture capture full-frame 180-degree diagonal fisheye images, with a Close-Range Correction system maintaining sharpness from 0.25m to infinity. At just 289g, it remains exceptionally lightweight for a fisheye, and the Super Integrated Coating suppresses flare for high-contrast results even wide open. This lens suits portrait and street photographers who want exaggerated, immersive perspectives with reliable D-type autofocus.

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Premium Lenses for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

77.1 Macro Score
22-70mm f/2.8 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Offering a constant f/2.8 aperture across the 24-70mm range, this lens pairs Nikon's Vibration Reduction (4 stops) with a 1:2 maximum magnification for unusually close focusing in a standard zoom. Its robust weather-sealed build and fluorine-coated front element resist the elements, while the electromagnetic diaphragm ensures precise exposures even during high-speed bursts. This lens is best for landscape photographers who need a single, sharp zoom, as well as macro enthusiasts looking for 0.5x magnification without switching lenses.

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Sigma Sports 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM

36.4 Macro Score
500mm 32 Nikon F IS Weather Sealed
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Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 2175

29.5 Macro Score
85mm 32 Nikon F (FX)
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