Best Macro Lenses Under £400 in 2026
Meike 23mm F1.4 Ultra Wide Angle APS-C Frame Auto Focus Fixed Prime Portrait Lenses
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Viltrox 25mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.7 aperture and STM motor excel in low light and provide quiet, reliable autofocus for portraits. The optical design, featuring ED and aspherical elements, ensures sharp images with pleasing bokeh from its nine-blade diaphragm. This lens is best for portrait photographers on Fujifilm X-mount who prioritize a fast, quiet prime for eye and face detection.
Sirui Sniper 23mm APS-C Autofocus
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.2 aperture and STM autofocus provide exceptional low-light performance and smooth, silent focusing for video. The carbon fiber body keeps weight down to around 380g, making it surprisingly portable for such a fast lens. This lens is best for portrait and macro photographers who prioritize a bright maximum aperture and cinematic rendering on a budget.
Yongnuo 33MM F1.4 DA DSM WL Pro Prime Standard
Why we recommend this ▼
Its bright f/1.4 aperture and 11-element optical design deliver sharp images with pleasing background blur, while its digital stepping motor (DSM) ensures quiet, responsive autofocus. The lens is built with a durable aviation aluminum body and includes a customizable Fn button for quick access to settings. This lens is best for Sony APS-C shooters prioritizing portrait, macro, or cinematic video work where a fast, versatile prime is essential.
Viltrox Air 35mm F1.7 f/1.7 AF
Why we recommend this ▼
Its f/1.7 maximum aperture and 9-blade design provide excellent low-light performance and smooth, dreamy bokeh for subject separation. The lens is also notably lightweight and compact for its class, featuring a silent STM motor for reliable autofocus with face and eye detection. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers using Fujifilm X-mount cameras who prioritize a classic focal length and shallow depth of field.
Meike 55mm F1.8 Full Frame AF STM Stepping Motor
Why we recommend this ▼
With a bright f/1.8 aperture and STM autofocus motor, this 55mm prime lens excels at isolating subjects with smooth bokeh, even in low light. Its compact 201g build and optical design with extra-low dispersion elements effectively suppress chromatic aberration and flaring. This lens is best for street photographers and videographers who need a lightweight, fast-focusing portrait lens for Nikon Z mount cameras.
Viltrox Fujinon XF 9mm F2.8 XF-Mount APS-C
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 9mm focal length and f/2.8 aperture provide an expansive 113.8° field of view and solid low-light performance for an APS-C lens. The lens also features a very close 0.13m minimum focusing distance, enabling unique wide-angle macro perspectives. This prime is best for Fujifilm shooters specializing in dramatic landscape, real estate, or creative close-up photography.
Yongnuo Art 35MM F1.8 Art Auto Focus
Why we recommend this ▼
With its f/1.8 aperture and 10-element optical design, this lens delivers sharp images with pleasing background blur, while its STM autofocus and built-in stabilization ensure quiet, steady operation. The metal construction and gold-plated contacts provide a durable, premium feel for its class, making it a robust value option. It is best for Sony APS-C shooters prioritizing portrait and low-light photography who need reliable eye-autofocus performance.
Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM Macro
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout 0.5x macro magnification and 5-stop optical image stabilization make it a versatile prime lens for a 35mm focal length. The inclusion of a control ring and compact 306g design adds direct manual control and excellent portability. This lens is best for photographers who need a lightweight, stabilized option for close-up product or nature photography, not for dedicated portrait work.
Canon EF Meike 85mm F1.8 SE Mark II STM AF Full Frame Auto Focus Medium Telephoto High
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is an 85mm f/1.8 design with an STM motor for silent, smooth autofocus and an 11-blade diaphragm for high-quality bokeh. The lens is further distinguished by a micro Type-C port for online firmware upgrades, enhancing its longevity and feature set. This lens is best for portrait photographers and videographers using Canon EF-mount DSLRs who prioritize smooth focus pulls and creamy background separation.
Sigma Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 DC DN
Why we recommend this ▼
Its large f/1.4 aperture delivers superb low-light performance and a shallow depth of field, while its compact 404g build makes it highly portable for a lens of this speed. It fully accommodates Sony's Fast Hybrid AF system, ensuring reliable autofocus for both stills and video. This lens is best for Sony E-mount shooters needing a fast, wide prime for environmental portraits or handheld vlogging in challenging light.
Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout 2:1 magnification ratio and f/2.8 aperture enable extreme close-ups with excellent low-light capability. The robust build and 14-blade diaphragm contribute to precise manual control and smooth bokeh quality. This lens is best for dedicated macro photographers who need high magnification for subjects like insects or jewelry and are comfortable with manual focus.