To create effective macro photography, you need a specialist lens, but it’s understandable that you may not want to spend a fortune on new lenses. When choosing a budget macro lens, you should consider things like aperture, and focal distance. The maximum aperture is important as it is used to control lighting, but also depth of field. Ideally, you want an affordable lens that has a maximum aperture of at least f/3.5.
Also, the focal distance is important. The larger the focal distance, the further away from your subject you can be. Larger focal distances of 90mm and higher are better for creating macro shots of insects and wildlife. Alternatively, shorter focal distances of less than 90mm are ideal for photographing stationary objects.
If you want an affordable macro lens look no further. We have listed the best Canon macro lenses under $1000 below – enjoy!
1. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is our top choice on our list of best Canon lenses under $1000. It is still relatively affordable but offers superior quality and functionality. As an L-series lens, it has numerous features such as lens coatings to reduce distortion and weather damage.
It has a good minimum focusing distance of just 0.99ft and a close-up magnification feature of 1:1. You can produce excellent macro shots using this lens with fine detail. Additionally, the f/2.8 aperture is great for capturing small details of your objects.
The high-end quality and affordable price make the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro USM the clear winner.
2. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
If you don’t want to pay the higher price of the L-series lens, you can opt for the more affordable Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM. It is a similar lens in shape and design, it just has fewer features and a lower build quality.
That being said, it is still a great budget lens under $1000. With a telephoto focal distance of 100mm, this lens has great macro potential. Furthermore, it has a minimum focusing distance of just 0.3m. You can also benefit from the 1:1 close-up magnification.
As a standard Canon lens, it does not have image stabilization. However, it is still durable and has a lens configuration that provides minimal distortions. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 means you can control the depth of field, and create some fun bokeh backgrounds.
3. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
Sigma produces some very good lenses and has a great range of affordable macro lenses like the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro. It is a standard Sigma lens and not part of any of the special ranges, though it still provides good quality and allows you to create detailed macro shots.
It has a minimum focusing distance of 12.3 inches and a 1:1 magnification, so you can capture great detail on small objects like flowers, insects, and fabrics. The 105mm focal distance provides a great telephoto zoom meaning that you don’t have to get too close with your camera setup.
As a quality budget macro lens, the Sigma 105mm also has an HSM motor. The Hypersonic Motor allows for quiet and fast autofocusing. Moreover, it has advanced lens elements with various coatings to reduce flare and other distortions. Due to its good focal distance and maximum aperture, this is one of the best Canon macro lenses under $1000.
4. Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
The Canon EF 180mm f/2.5L Macro USM is an older macro lens but still a good budget choice. It is affordable as a renewed model and is one of the best Canon macro lenses under $1000. The main downside is that you have to cope without some newer technology features like built-in image stabilization.
For macro photography, this lens has a minimum focusing distance of just 1.57ft or approximately 18 inches. It can focus to infinity and supports both the Canon 1.4x and 2x extenders. In terms of portability, the lens weighs just 2.4lbs and is lightweight considering the lens elements inside.
Although it does not have any image stabilization, it does have Canon’s USM silent autofocusing motor technology, and the maximum aperture of f/3.5 and the telephoto focal distance of 180mm make this a good choice lens under $1000.
5. Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD (Budget Winner)
Finally, we have a great budget lens under $1000. The Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD is an affordable option with the best value. It offers a good combination of high-end macro quality together with a budget price.
The focal distance of 90mm provides a good middle-ground for macro shots, so you do not have to get too close to your subject. This is complemented by the 1:1 magnification and a great minimum focusing distance of just 11.8 inches.
This macro lens has other useful features like Tamron’s vibration compensation, which provides up to 3.5 stops of camera shake reduction. It would still be a good idea to use the lens with a tripod, however. It has the Tamron USD silent autofocus motor which allows for quick and accurate autofocusing.
Getting up Close with Canon Macro Lenses Under $1000
We hope you have found this buying guide useful. As you can see, there is a good range of affordable macro lenses. You don’t have to spend a fortune or even more than $1000.
One of these macro lenses will help you create high-quality shots. If you really want to take your macro photography to the next level, you must purchase a specialist lens. Using an affordable high-end macro lens will allow you to capture greater detail and allow you to experiment with depth of field and learn more about how aperture affects your images.
