Macro photography: lenses, lighting and shooting techniques

Macro imaging is one of the fastest growing imaging modalities and the supply of equipment is constantly growing. Macro photography is defined as an image that is the same size in nature as the camera cell (1:1) or larger up to a magnification of about 10:1. At magnifications above this, we can already speak of a microscopic image. Close-up photography also goes hand in hand with macro photography, with aspect ratios from 1:1 to 1:3. The term "macro" can therefore easily include all insects, plants, jewellery, and other subjects with interesting details.

In a nutshell: what do you need for macro photography?

• Camera: Any system camera will do. A small sensor gives greater depth of field, whilst a large sensor gives better image quality.
• Lens: The easiest way is to use a 1:1 macro lens, which is usually 90–105 mm on a full-frame camera and around 60 mm on an APS-C camera.
• More affordably: extender rings or a close-up lens, such as the Raynox DCR-250, with an existing lens.
• Light: A flash and a diffuser are the most important tools for a macro photographer, as a small aperture requires a lot of light.
• Technology: a tripod, a timer or a shutter release, and focus stacking to achieve a wide depth of field.

Table of contents:

• What features are required of the camera body?
• Lenses for macro photography
• Macro imaging without a macro lens
• Illumination in macro photography
• Filming techniques

What features are required of the camera body?

Sensor size and pixel count are the most impressive features when choosing a camera body, but any camera body will take you into the world of macro photography.

The 1:1 aspect ratio goes by the size of the sensor, 18mm for MFT, 24mm for APS-C and 35mm for Fullframe. In practice this means that the 1:2 aspect ratio for an MFT sensor is equivalent to the 1:1 aspect ratio for a Fullframe. The sensor size also affects the depth of field, so a 1:2 shot with an MFT sensor will have a wider depth of field than a 1:1 shot with a full-frame camera.

The smaller cell size helps with many practical issues such as wider depth of field and theoretically produces higher magnifications. Another even more significant difference for many may be the size and weight of the camera and lens. This favours cameras with a smaller sensor size and is worth bearing in mind, especially when going on longer shooting trips. A larger sensor, on the other hand, takes away the comparison in image quality in terms of dynamics and light requirements. But it's fair to say that top-quality macro images can be taken, whether MFT or FullFrame.

The number of pixels and pixel density of the sensor is an advantage when cropping images. In macro images, subjects are small and camera movements are relatively large, so cropping often gives the image its final composition in post-processing.

Features that make macro photography easier when choosing a body include synchronisation settings for manual focus and flash. Many camera models have a so-called internal focus stacking/bracketing function, which, with the appropriate proprietary lenses, allows the camera to be programmed to automatically take multiple shots, with the camera itself changing the focusing distance of the lens between shots. The camera builds a stacked jpeg image file internally with a wide depth of field. This is well suited for photographing jewellery and other small items.

Lenses for macro photography

Typically the focal lengths of macro lenses go by a factor of the cell size MFT 50/60mm, APS-C 60/65mm and FullFrame 90/100/105mm. At these focal lengths you get the same perspective on the subject with each cell. The change in perspective at macro distances is not very large. The biggest change comes from the so-called working distance between the subject and the lens. The longer the focal length, the greater the distance between the subject and the front element of the lens.

Generally speaking, the best and easiest way to access macro photography is to buy a macro lens. Macro lenses are available from every camera manufacturer up to 1:1 magnification (e.g. Sony 90mm, Nikon 105mm, Canon 100mm, Fujifilm 60mm, Olympus 60mm). The macro lenses from the camera manufacturers are also available with autofocus and are suitable for use with pots. The Canon range also includes the so-called bug-glass MP-E 65mm lens, which can be used to shoot at magnifications of 1 to 5 times.

Third-party manufacturers such as Samyang, Sigma and Laowa offer extremely high-quality macro lenses. Laowa stands out from the crowd in that their 100mm/85mm/65mm/60mm/50mm fully manual lenses offer a magnification range from infinity right up to 2:1, which makes a huge difference when photographing insects or very small subjects, for example. Laowa also manufactures a 25mm ultra-macro lens with 2.5–5x magnification. When switching from close-up photography to macro photography, autofocus is not required. The depth of field, even at small apertures (f/11–f/22), is so narrow that the photographer must select the appropriate focus point. Furthermore, in macro photography, there is little need for the lens’s internal stabiliser, as the light requirements are generally so high that the image is illuminated using a flash or, with the aid of a tripod, by using a slower shutter speed.

In addition to the focal lengths typical of macro lenses, wide-angle macro lenses are also available. These lenses, such as the Laowa 15mm F4 1:1 macro lens, are more akin to close-up lenses, as a 1:1 magnification is achieved by placing the subject against the front element of the lens. In this case, it is advisable to light the subject using reflectors, an external flash or a diffuser specifically designed for this purpose. A wide-angle lens also provides a much greater depth of field, so the background also receives more light and is sharper than with typical focal lengths. The perspective produced by a wide-angle lens in close-up photography is extremely interesting, and I’d recommend giving it a go.

Laowa also manufactures 25mm 2.5-5x magnification ultra-macro lenses. Laowa's 25mm 2.5-5x is not so much a wide-angle lens as an ultra macro lens for higher magnifications, which by default is intended more for stacked macro photography than for more normal macro photography. Please note that with this lens you can only focus between 2.5-5x magnification, so it is not suitable for other types of photography.

The Laowa Probe 24mm 2:1 macro lens is also a very interesting piece of kit in the world of macro lenses. The shooting experience provided by the wide 24mm perspective and magnification ranging from infinity to 2:1 is very different from other types of macro photography. Although the lens is designed more for video recording using a slider. The lens is fitted with internal LEDs. These LEDs allow subjects positioned very close to the optics to be illuminated from the front as well.

Macro imaging without a macro lens

Macro imaging can also be accessed in cheaper ways than investing in a new lens. An inexpensive way in SLR cameras is to insert a ring between the camera body and the lens to bring the closest focusing distance of the lens closer. With a locket ring, you can make any lens a macro or at least a close-up lens. There is no glass between the rings to affect the quality of the image produced by the lens. With loupes, the depth of field narrows as always in macro photography the closer you focus.

Another simple and easy method is to use so-called close-up filters or close-up lenses. These are attached to the front of the lens, either by screwing them onto the filter thread or using a quick-release mount, as is the case with the highly popular Raynox DCR-250 close-up filter, for example. These are widely used, for example, with compact cameras and 1:1 macro lenses to provide slightly greater magnification in the images. With these options, the amount of glass between the subject and the camera sensor increases, so there may be more noticeable changes in image quality than with extension tubes.

There are other ways to achieve macro magnification, such as a baffle that works like a spell, or a separate bayonet to lens barrel adapter that allows the lens to be used upside down in the camera. Microscope lenses are also available that can be attached to the system camera. These are already in the realm of microscopic imaging, so no more about them.

Illumination in macro photography

The need for light in macro photography is extremely high. As you move from 1:1 close-ups to higher magnifications, the need for light increases whilst the depth of field decreases. For example, when shooting a 2:1 image at f/16, you’ll need either a flash, a high ISO setting or a long exposure time to achieve a correctly exposed image. When shooting in the wild and handheld, conditions are rarely calm enough to take sharp images without a tripod or additional lighting. A flash is therefore often the macro photographer’s most important tool. As well as more traditional handheld flashes, there are also flashes designed specifically for macro photography.

Hand-held flashlights

When choosing a flash, it's a good idea to consider the amount of light you want to produce, the flash's charging speed and its size. The Godox v350 is a relatively powerful flash packed into a small compact size, which is very well suited to smaller, lighter camera body/lens combinations. The Godox V1 is a large and rather heavy flash, but in terms of power and charging time, this flash is capable of shooting up to 10 frames per second in burst mode at lower powers (1/32 or less). In addition, the V1 model is equipped with a focusing light to help you find the focus of the image. In terms of power, the V1 is also very well suited for all other flash photography. The Godox V350 V860III and V1 have batteries that can shoot up to 500 images at full power.

For more creative lighting, you can use handheld flash units off-camera via a transmitter. Godox’s Xpro and X2t transmitters are ideal for this purpose. When using a flash, it is advisable to use a diffuser to soften the light produced by the flash. A bare flash easily burns out shiny areas and creates high-contrast shadows in the image, which often does not flatter the subject. Ready-made diffusers are available, but macro photographers who are deeply immersed in the hobby generally build their own housings to fit over the flash and lens, tailored to their own preferences. The main advantages of a traditional flash are its light output, speed and versatility.

Ring salama and macro salamas

For macro photography, there are also various flashes available for that purpose. A ring flash is a flash that is attached around the lens, often with an adapter ring, to the threads of the filter. The advantage of a ring flash is convenience, small size without the need for a high flash on the camera body. The ring flash produces a steady light and is an easy choice as a first macro flash. However, the light source is right next to the subject, so there is little chance of adjusting the light produced by the ring flash to your own preferences. The light source of the ring flash is also often reflected by the subject, making it clearly visible in images, especially in bright subjects.

The Godox mf12 is a ring flash-like, customizable flash system that can be connected to one to eight flash units. You could even say that the MF12 is a ring flash-like modifiable light source that is very useful for creative macro photography and creative lighting.

The Laowa/Kuangren KX800, on the other hand, is a macro flash with two flash heads and a focusing light, allowing you to create easily customisable and creative lighting for small macro subjects. Other light sources, such as small agile LED panels, can also be used for macro photography. However, small LED panels do not have the power of flash devices, so other measures are required to stop motion.

Diffuser

Diffuser or light converter. Perhaps the most important accessory in a macro photographer's own handprint is the light converter. The vast majority of photographers, especially insect and spider photographers, use traditional flash light and modify/soften the light according to their own preferences. Diffusers are available in many shapes and sizes. Traditionally universal diffusers include collapsible diffusers that can be placed around the lens and small square and round softboxes. But as mentioned, diffusers often go into the DIY world.

Filming techniques

Macro images can be taken in many ways. Traditional nature walks with a camera and no other equipment are challenging when the aim is to get close-ups of small subjects. Capturing natural light requires very steady hands, support or, for example, a tripod that allows longer exposure times. The most important feature of a tripod in this shooting style would be a folding centre tube to get close to the subject. A gorilla pod-style tripod can also be a good option when working in the grass. An external shutter release is also important in this style of shooting, to eliminate camera shake when the shutter is pressed.

Another option is to shoot with a timer of a few seconds, by which time the vibration has had time to die down. When photographing insects, spiders and other moving objects, flash is almost a must. With flash you can stop movement in an instant, and I don't just mean a short shutter speed. For example, when shooting a flying subject out of direct sunlight at a magnification of 1:1 and dimming the aperture to a small aperture to get a large depth of field, keep the ISO low. In this case, the majority of the light comes from the flash flicker, which, depending on the power of the flash, has a duration of something between 1/2000 and 1/10000. Based on this, one can imagine that the shutter speed is the time it takes for the flash to flash.

(For example this 1:1 image of a wild fly Sony A7RIII 1/250, godox V350 1/4 power, ISO100, F/16)

Focus stacking is the process of combining the depth of field areas of images. There are several techniques to do this. Many camera manufacturers have built into their bodies an automatic Focus stacking/Focus bracketing feature whereby the camera sets the desired number of images to be bracketed and the focus target. In-camera stacking does the stacking by adjusting the focus distance so that the subject and camera are in position and the lens does the work by adjusting the focus. This can only be done with the camera manufacturer's own lenses. This same technique can also be used manually. With some lenses, the focus breathing (meaning the change in focal length of the lens when focusing) is often so large that not all stacking programs are able to combine focus areas using this method.

The most commonly used manual stacking technique is to hold the subject still and move the camera using a macro rail. In this case, the camera settings are kept exactly the same. Very little camera movement is done at a time and often dozens of images are taken. If the images are illuminated by direct lights, such as Led panels, it makes sense to take the images with either a wire shutter or a timer so that the images are not affected by camera shake. Even one shaky image or one image taken with too long a macro rail movement will ruin an otherwise successful stacked image. Stacking an image can also be done by moving the subject instead of the camera, but this often requires a self-built macro rail.

These aforementioned studio macro images also include macro images taken with a bare and/or inverted lens. In addition to other macro lenses, ultra macro lenses such as the Laowa 25mm 2.5-5X f/2.8 are best suited for stacking. To get an accurate image of the subject at these high magnifications, you practically have to shoot at a very large aperture (Laowa 25mm / 5x magnification / f/2.8 or f/4) otherwise the images will be very soft. Another thing to note is that the focus range in this case is a bit fine and in practice that means that to get a close-up of a fly you need to take dozens of shots. For studio stacking of macro images, computer-controlled electronic macro stages are also often used, which come in very handy, especially when using microscope objectives (5x-100x). In this case, objects requiring a wider depth of field already require hundreds of images.

Stacked macro images can also be taken in nature and of living subjects. In this case, the camera equipment is already more important and the importance of training is even more pronounced. In general, just two or five combined depth of field bands will give the necessary amount, especially at a magnification ratio of 1:1, while a small aperture of f/11 to f/22 will give a relatively wide depth of field range. Images of perfectly still subjects can be taken separately by pressing the shutter or with a burst shutter, if only the flash has time to recharge between images. For example, at ~10 frames per second with continuous shooting, the Godox V1 flash can charge at 1/32 power for up to 50 frames. With this technique, the flash stops moving and the photographer slowly moves the camera towards the subject. These images are easily affected by small changes in perspective and the image can almost always be judged successful only after post-processing. This often leads to the fact that post-processing requires much more manual work. With this method, it is often the case that a stack of 50 images will contain the 2 to 20 stackable images from which the final image is built. When shooting freehand, it can be calculated that a lot of data is transferred to the memory card quickly. With this shooting style, you should be prepared for larger and faster memory cards than when shooting normally.

In post-processing, the stacking of images is done manually in Photoshop, for example, or using the merge function. The best results, at least for the time being, can be achieved with software developed for this purpose, such as Helicon focus or Zerene stacker.

The absolute best thing about macro photography is that you can find interesting and beautiful things to photograph right in your own backyard. Grab your camera and head out to explore the small wonders of the world, you're guaranteed to be surprised.

See also: choosing a lens, A comparison of Godox flashes and used lenses, where you can often find macro lenses at affordable prices.

Frequently asked questions

What is macro photography?

In macro photography, the subject is captured on the sensor at least at life-size (1:1) or larger. At lower magnifications, such as 1:2–1:3, the term ‘close-up photography’ is used.

What is the best macro lens for a beginner?

The easiest choice is a 1:1 macro lens from your own camera manufacturer, such as the Sony 90 mm, Canon 100 mm, Nikon 105 mm or Fujifilm 60 mm. These focus automatically and are also suitable for portrait photography. More affordable manual options, capable of up to 2:1 magnification, are available from Laowa, for example.

Is it possible to take macro photographs without a macro lens?

Oh. Extension rings fitted between the camera and the lens, or a close-up lens attached to the front of the lens, bring the focusing distance closer and turn a standard lens into a macro lens.

Do you need a flash for macro photography?

Quite often, yes. In macro photography, a small aperture, such as f/11–f/16, is used to ensure sufficient depth of field, and this requires a lot of light. A flash also freezes motion, which is important when photographing insects. A diffuser softens the flash light.

What does ‘focus stacking’ mean?

This involves taking several photos at different focus distances and combining their sharp areas into a single image. This produces a depth of field that cannot be achieved with a single image. Many cameras have a built-in function for this, and the images are then combined using software such as Photoshop, Helicon Focus or Zerene Stacker.

Can I try out macro lenses before buying them?

Welcome to our shop in Kouvola. You can try out lenses and flashes with your own camera, and we’ll help you put together the right macro kit.