Macro lenses are also great for general shooting at normal distances because they’re so sharp and well corrected - and as many professional photographers can attest, they’re superb for shooting portraits. Acquiring a high-quality macro lens is a wonderful way to expand your photographic opportunities and it can open up whole new worlds of picture-taking possibilities. Technically a true macro lens can focus continuously down to 1:1, but to expand your options, we’ve included a one worthy zoom and one cool new wide-angle macro that “only” gets down to 1:2 in our list. More from Adorama: Top 10 Macro Photography Tips

Many of the best and most popular true macro lenses are moderate telephotos in the 90-105mm range because they provide a longer working distance (the distance between the front of the lens to the subject) which makes it easier to arrange lighting and less likely that you’ll spook skittish creatures like insects and hummingbirds. In most cases, this means a prime (single focal length) lens that can get town to a 1:1 magnification (life-size-on sensor) rather than one of the many lenses marketed as “macro zooms” that only get down to a near-macro 1:4 or 1:3.

When it comes to capturing compelling high-quality close-up images of people, animals, butterflies, insects, flowers, stamps, coins, or anything else that strikes your fancy there’s nothing quite like using a true macro lens - one that’s specifically designed to deliver exceptional image quality, especially at close focusing distances.

Macro nikon lens