Best Lenses under £400 for macro

Best Pick

Canon RF 9521B002 24-105mm

71.8 Macro Score
24-105mm 40 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

The STM motor delivers smooth, near-silent autofocus for video, while the 4-stop image stabilizer keeps handheld shots steady across the 24–105mm range. Weighing just 525g, it’s among the lightest full-frame zooms, with manual focus override and optimized coatings that enhance contrast. Best for budget-conscious hybrid shooters who prioritize a portable, stabilized zoom for landscapes, travel, and video, but don’t need wide-aperture isolation for portraits.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II 18-55mm

64.6 Macro Score
18-55mm f/3.5 Canon EF-S IS
Why we recommend this

Its 4-stop optical stabilization and 204g weight make this an exceptionally portable kit lens for Canon APS-C DSLRs. The lens provides a practical 18–55mm focal range with a close 250mm minimum focus distance, delivering sharp, stabilized images at a budget-friendly price point. It's best for beginner photographers seeking a compact, all-purpose zoom for travel and everyday shooting.

View Details & Prices

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM 85mm

43.4 Macro Score
85mm 22 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

Its bright f/1.8 aperture and ring-type USM motor deliver fast, quiet autofocus and excellent subject isolation for portraits. Weighing just 425 grams, it’s a highly portable prime that also features Super Spectra coating to minimize flare and ghosting. This lens is best for portrait photographers on a budget seeking flattering compression and shallow depth of field without the bulk of larger f/1.4 options.

View Details & Prices

Canon 420-800mm f/8.3 Telephoto 420-800mm

37.9 Macro Score
420-800mm 16 Canon EF IS
Why we recommend this

Its 420-800mm zoom range and full metal construction deliver extreme telephoto reach for budget shooters, with manual focus only and an f/8.3-16 aperture. Built-in optical stabilization and multi-coated low-dispersion glass help reduce shake and aberrations on long-distance subjects. This lens is ideal for hobbyist wildlife and moon photographers comfortable with manual focus and looking to spend very little.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under £800 for macro

Best Pick

Canon EF EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM 16-35mm

64 Macro Score
16-35mm 22 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The constant f/4 aperture and 4-stop Optical Image Stabilizer deliver sharp, consistent results across the 16-35mm focal range. Weather-sealed construction with fluorine coatings and a lightweight 21.7oz body make it rugged yet portable for on-the-go shooting. It's best for landscape and wildlife photographers who value a weather-resistant wide-angle zoom with fast, quiet autofocus.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM 10-22mm

48.8 Macro Score
10-22mm 22-27 Canon EF-S
Why we recommend this

With an ultra-wide 10-22mm zoom (16-35mm equivalent) and a fast, quiet ring-type USM autofocus, this lens weighs just 385g, making it ideal for travel. Its 3 aspherical elements and 1 Super-UD element deliver sharp, detailed images across the frame, though the f/3.5-4.5 aperture limits low-light performance. Best for landscape and travel photographers seeking a compact, high-optics wide-angle zoom for Canon APS-C bodies.

View Details & Prices

Best Lenses under £1,000 for macro

No lenses found Under £1,000 for this category.

Best Lenses under £2,000 for macro

Best Pick

Canon L 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM 24-70mm

70.3 Macro Score
24-70mm 22 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A constant f/2.8 aperture, USM autofocus, and 5-stop image stabilization make this a reliable zoom for varied lighting, with weather sealing adding durability. Its versatile 24-70mm range earns top marks for landscape (99.6/100) and travel (97.1/100), while the bundle includes practical extras like a filter kit and backpack. Best for landscape and travel photographers who need a rugged, all-purpose standard zoom for full-frame Canon bodies.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Canon TS-E TS-E 17mm f/4L 17mm

41.4 Macro Score
17mm 22 Canon EF Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The 17mm ultra-wide perspective combined with ±12mm shift and ±6.5° tilt offers precise perspective correction and deep focus control, housed in a weather-sealed L-series build. Its floating optical system with four UD elements and Subwavelength Coating delivers consistent sharpness across the frame, aided by a locking tilt-shift mechanism for stable compositions. This manual-focus lens is best for architectural and interior photographers who require exacting management of converging lines and selective focus planes.

View Details & Prices

Canon Milvus Zeiss 18mm f/2.8 Milvus ZE 18mm

32.8 Macro Score
18mm 22 Canon EF
Why we recommend this

The 14-element optical design with two aspherical lenses and ZEISS T* coating delivers exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast control for a full-frame 18mm prime. Its all-metal barrel and smooth, long-throw manual focus ring provide precise control that autofocus systems cannot replicate. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers who prioritize optical precision and deliberate, tripod-based composition over speed or portability.

View Details & Prices

Premium Lenses for macro

Best Pick

Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM 100-400mm

58.4 Macro Score
100-400mm f/100 Canon EF IS Weather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Integrating one fluorite and one Super UD element with Air Sphere Coating, this lens delivers sharp, high-contrast images with minimal aberrations, supported by a 4-stop Image Stabilizer for handheld clarity. A rotating zoom ring with adjustable torque and comprehensive weather sealing with a fluorine coating set it apart for reliable, precise control in tough conditions. It’s best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a rugged, stabilized telephoto zoom for tracking fast-moving subjects from a distance.

View Details & Prices