Best Lenses under £400 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Altura Photo 55MM 0.43x HD Wide Angle

81.9 Macro Score
f/3.5 Screw-on lens fits camera lenses with a 55mm front filter thread IS
Why we recommend this

The 0.43x magnification factor expands your field of view with multicoated glass optics that keep contrast decent for a screw-on adapter. A detachable macro element delivers an 81.6 close-up score, letting you capture tiny details without swapping lenses. This accessory fits hobbyists using 55mm-threaded kit lenses who want to explore wide-angle and macro photography on a budget.

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Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)

65.4 Macro Score
28mm 16 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

At just 153g, this 28mm f/2.8 prime is a lightweight walkaround lens for Nikon Z cameras, with a custom control ring and near-silent STM autofocus suited for video. Its 0.63-foot minimum focus distance adds versatility for close-up detail shots. This lens is best for street photographers and portrait shooters who prioritize compactness and everyday snapshot convenience over wide-aperture bokeh or weather sealing.

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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

Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8

86.5 Macro Score
28mm f/2.8 Nikon Z IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Weighing just 156g and offering an f/2.8 aperture, this full-frame wide-angle prime uses two aspherical elements to maintain sharpness across the frame. The 0.19m minimum focus distance provides 1:5 macro reproduction, making it versatile for close-up work alongside street photography. It’s best for Nikon Z shooters needing a discreet everyday lens for macro and street scenes.

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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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Nikon Speed Booster XL MB_SPNFG-M43-BM2

15.3 Macro Score
Nikon G
Why we recommend this

The Metabones Speed Booster XL 0.64x adapter concentrates full-frame Nikon G lens light onto Micro Four Thirds sensors, increasing brightness by over a stop while widening the angle of view. Its 50.9/100 portrait score reflects effective shallow depth-of-field results, despite lacking autofocus and stabilization. This adapter is best for portrait shooters adapting Nikon G glass to MFT, but its 15.3/100 macro score makes it unsuitable for close-up work.

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Best Lenses under £1,000 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S

66.7 Macro Score
14-30mm 22 Nikon Z Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

This ultra-wide zoom covers 14-30mm with a constant f/4 aperture and weighs just 485g, making it one of the lightest weather-sealed options for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. Four ED and four aspherical elements, plus Nano Crystal coatings, deliver sharp, flare-resistant images across the frame. Best for landscape and architecture photographers who need a compact, travel-friendly wide zoom without sacrificing optical quality.

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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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Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S

85.3 Macro Score
14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon Z Mount Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Ultra-wide zoom performance with a constant f/2.8 aperture, three aspherical and four ED elements, plus ARNEO and Nano Crystal Coatings defines this Z-mount lens. A stepping motor drives fast, silent autofocus for stills and video, and full weather sealing guards against the elements. It’s best for landscape and architectural photographers who require 14mm edge-to-edge sharpness and flare resistance in harsh light.

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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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Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

61.7 Macro Score
100-400mm 40 Nikon Z IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Featuring an f/4.5-5.6 aperture across its 100-400mm zoom range, 5-stop Vibration Reduction, and optics with six Super ED and two ED elements, this lens delivers sharp handheld telephoto performance. Inner Balance technology stabilizes the center of gravity for smooth gimbal tracking, while a 0.38x maximum magnification ratio enables near-macro detail. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need flexible handheld reach and for landscape shooters valuing edge-to-edge sharpness.

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Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 2175

29.5 Macro Score
85mm 32 Nikon F (FX)
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