Buying advice
Macro and close-ups: where to start
For close-ups and macro, a longer focal length and a steady hand are key. Which lenses make sense, how to handle focusing and what to check when buying used.
Macro photography and close-ups call for a different approach than landscapes or portraits. For true 1:1 macro, a dedicated macro lens is ideal, but I don't have one on offer right now. For details, flowers and products, though, longer, fast lenses also work great, giving you beautiful bokeh and separation from the background.
Choosing the right lens
For everyday close-ups, a fast zoom or a prime around 50–85 mm is enough.
- Sony FE 100 mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS is a great compromise between detail and working distance. In macro mode it offers 0.25× magnification.
- Sony FE 85 mm f/1.4 GM is the one to go for if you want a faster aperture and a more blurred background. It's in stock and delivers top-tier performance.
- Sony FE 35 mm f/1.4 GM or Sony FE 50 mm f/1.4 GM are a good choice for those who mainly want top-notch portraits and see close-ups as a bonus.
Checking the condition of used gear
When buying a used camera, always check the shutter count. With bodies like the Canon EOS R6, Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Canon EOS R7, Sony A7 IV or Nikon Z6 II, it's good to know whether it's a lightly used copy.
A higher shutter count means more wear on the mechanics, but with modern bodies it isn't as critical as with older models. With lenses, watch out for dust inside and scratches on the front element.
Autofocus and practical tips
When shooting close-ups, autofocus tends to be slower and less accurate than, say, in landscapes. I recommend fine-tuning focus manually or using single-point AF.
Sony and Canon lenses focus very fast, but wide open at f/1.4 the depth of field is extremely shallow. That's why a steady hand or a tripod pays off. If you don't have a dedicated macro lens, get as close to the subject as you can and stop down to gain more depth of field.
Tell me what you want to shoot (insects, jewelry, flowers) – I'll recommend a true macro lens too.
