Macro lenses are designed for photographing small subjects at close range, such as flowers or insects. All lenses can take close-up photos, but Macro lenses are optimised for it, and are able to focus closer and deliver better quality results.

Typical macro lenses have equivalent focal lengths of around 100mm and can also double-up for portrait shots, although they are designed to perform best at close range. For extreme close-up capabilities, Canon’s MP-E65 can deliver reproductions up to five times life-size.