What camera and lens should I buy for macro photography?

For macro photography, it is best to use a SLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, and a close-up lens with a focal length corresponding to the characteristics of the subject.

When taking macro pictures, due to the special requirements for focusing and framing, it is more convenient to use SLR and mirrorless cameras with strong manual control functions for easier operation and framing. If funds permit, of course it is best to use a full-frame SLR or mirrorless camera, which contributes more to the delicate and clear image quality.

To take good macro pictures, it is more important to choose a suitable macro lens. There are three main categories:

Standard macro lenses with a focal length of 50~60mm, shorter focal lengths The focusing distance becomes shorter, making it suitable for shooting close to the subject. It can be used in forests, botanical gardens, etc. where you don’t have to deliberately distance yourself to shoot. Since it can capture the subject around you at a large size, it is also very suitable for close-up photography of indoor still life and is easy to carry.

A macro lens with a focal length of 100mm, so it is also referred to as a micro lens, suitable for macro photography that cannot be very close.

A telephoto macro lens with a focal length of 180~200mm, suitable for taking close-ups of subjects from a distance or for close-ups. It is suitable for photographing inaccessible subjects such as insects and small animals, and can also zoom in to show blooming flowers on branches.

There is also a macro zoom lens, which is a special lens for macro photography that can magnify the subject from 1 to several times. It can ideally image the microscopic world that is difficult to capture with general macro lenses. Not only can it take close-ups of parts of small insects, but it is also suitable for photographing small pieces of jewelry.

Full-frame + professional macro lens is a very professional and expensive method, but for some ordinary players, there are also compromise methods to take macro pictures, such as:

By adding a magnifying glass with a small magnification in front of a general digital camera or a normal lens, you can simply get close to the subject and achieve a macro effect. However, due to the addition of a magnifying lens, the image quality will be lower than the original lens, but it can allow ordinary digital cameras to enjoy the fun of macro photography.

Another method that does not affect the image quality is to only apply to SLR or mirrorless cameras. Add a close-up adapter ring between the lens and the body (a close-up adapter ring that is compatible with various brands of cameras and lenses). The adapter ring not only fits the bayonet, but also has the same electrical signal transmission contacts. It would be better if you choose the same close-up adapter ring as the original brand, but the price is not low). This kind of adapter ring usually has 12mm, 24mm and 36mm, which can be used singly or in groups, so that the image distance of the original ordinary lens is between one and two times the focal length, and an enlarged image is produced. The characteristic of this method of shooting is that it maintains the original image of the lens. The optical quality is excellent, but the actual aperture will be narrowed, and it will be slightly difficult to find the view when the light is weak.

The simplest method is to remove the ordinary standard lens and buckle it upside down on the lens connector of the fuselage. You can also take macro pictures, but at this time there is no TTL metering and the aperture cannot be changed. , the focus is not easy to control, and is susceptible to interference from stray light that accidentally enters between the lens and the body.

Finally, when taking macro pictures, install the camera on a stable tripod as much as possible to obtain clear pictures.