Best Accessories for Macro Photography | 2024

Pros:

• Affordable alternative to macro lenses
• Allows for experimenting with different focal lengths

Cons:

• Not available for all lens mounts
• No autofocus or electronic aperture control
• Exposes delicate parts of lens to the elements
  

If you’ve always wanted to try macro photography but can’t countenance the cost of a macro lens, there is a much more affordable solution – a reversing ring. This is just one option - You can find the other mount option here. A reversing ring does just what it sounds like, and allows you to mount your lens on your camera backwards. In this configuration, a standard camera lens essentially functions as a magnifying glass – presto, you’ve got a quick-and-dirty solution for close-up photography!

A reversing ring needs to fit in two ways in order to work – it needs to match both the mount of your lens, and the filter thread size (measured in mm). JJC makes a number of different filter threads for Canon EF, Micro Four Thirds and Nikon F in various thread sizes, and Nikon also produces its own for F-mount. 

Bear in mind also that once the lens is reverse mounted, you won’t be able to use autofocus or electronically set the aperture. A reversed lens also produces a very shallow depth of field and reduces the light that gets to the sensor – a tripod is probably a must if you want to stand a good chance of getting sharp images. Lastly, remember that this mounting style will result in your lens’ contact points being exposed to the elements. A solution some photographers use is a rear lens cap with a hole cut in the centre – unorthodox, but it works!

Pros:

• Availability for multiple lens mounts
• Can be stacked to increase effect
• Very affordable

Cons:

• Reduces light intake, which impacts focusing and depth of field
  
  

Another low-cost alternative to a macro lens, extension tubes can be considered as an alternative to reversing rings. They slot in between the lens and the camera body (just like teleconverters) and allow you to reduce the minimum focal distance of a lens and get even closer to your subject. An extension tube can be used in conjunction with a lens that already has macro capabilities, further enhancing the effect.

Unlike teleconverters, extension tubes don’t contain any optical glass elements – they are literally just increasing the distance between the lens and the sensor. This means they won’t introduce any optical flaws into your images or reduce the quality. They will, however, reduce the amount of light that comes into the lens, which can both make it harder to focus and restrict the use of narrow apertures to increase depth of field. For both reasons, a tripod is your friend when using extension tubes. Also, remember that you will of course need to get the correct extension tubes for your lens mount - you can find our full range of extension tubes here.

Pros:

• Useful, affordable, versatile flash unit
• Fast-charging via USB-C
• Easy to mount in different configurations

Cons:

• May require extra-purchase accessories to get the most out of it
  
  

You may or may not want to hear this, but if you’re serious about macro photography, it’s pretty much essential to at least have the option of using flash. Getting enough light for a correct exposure is often a pressing concern for macro shooters, whether it’s because you’ve had to stop down your lens to get enough depth of field, or because you’re using macro accessories like reversing rings or extension tubes that have decreased your effective aperture – or, potentially, both. The best way to get more light is to inject a burst of it yourself, and the best way to do that is with a flash unit. 

The Godox MF12 Macro Flash Light isn’t just a speedlight – it’s designed from the ground up to be useful for macro photographers. As such, it’s lightweight and made to work at close distances. With an optional adapter, it can be mounted directly onto the lens for an intense, ultra-close burst of light, and the slim profile of the flash means it’s easy to mount it in other ways too (using a GorillaPod, for instance). The rechargeable battery is good for 500 flashes, and once you’ve drained it you can quickly charge it up again via USB-C.

Pros:

• Ultra-affordable
• Very lightweight and compact
• Constant light allows for real-time adjustment

Cons:

• No rechargeable battery (runs on AAs)
• Not as much lighting power as more expensive LEDs
  
  

While flash is hugely popular in macro photography, many shooters prefer constant LED lighting. Flash is great for freezing movement, and you’re definitely better off using it for subjects like live insects or falling water droplets. However, if you’re fine-tuning a studio setup for a macro still-life shot, you may find constant LED lighting more useful. A constant light allows you to fine-tune your settings in real-time and get the exposure correct before you hit the shutter. This can be especially useful if you’re shooting on film, and don’t have the luxury of being able to fire off dozens of test shots. 

We’ve opted for an outrageously affordable LED unit here, the Godox LED36, to show you how cheaply this kind of thing can be done. There are plenty of excellent LED lighting units available with more power though, so don’t be afraid to shop around to find one that works for you. 

Pros:

• Folds down for easy transportation
• Multiple reflective surface options
• Easy way to soften light

Cons:

• May require an extra pair of hands
  
  

Once you’ve got yourself acquainted with using flash for your macro photography, the next step will be learning to control and enhance the light it creates. An easy, cost-effective way to do this is with a reflector, such as this 5-in-1 example from Godox. A cheap and simple device, a reflector does just what it says – lets you bounce the light back at your subject. This creates a much softer and more diffuse effect than you’d get from simply firing the flash directly at the subject, which makes for a more pleasing image without harsh contrast and shadows. 

The ‘5-in-1’ aspect of the reflector refers to the different surfaces it offers – black, silver, gold, white and shoot-through translucent. These allow you to easily modulate the tone and intensity of your light, depending on what your subject calls for. A gold surface, for instance, creates a much warmer light which can be great for evoking a feeling of sunset. Lightweight and folding easily, the Godox LED36 is a wonderfully inexpensive addition to any macro kit – though at times you might find yourself wishing you had an extra pair of hands to hold it!

Pros:

• Simple, inexpensive way to soften light
• Lightweight but durable construction
• Includes honeycomb grid for beam direction control

Cons:

• Can be unwieldy when shooting close up
  
  

Another classic way to soften your light for pleasing results, a softbox is a time-honoured friend of the macro photographer. Easy to mount onto a flash unit, a trusty softbox like the Godox SB-BW spreads out the beam of your flash through a translucent surface, producing a much softer effect (hence the name). On the inside, the Godox SB-BW has silver reflective surfaces in order to maximise the amount of light that gets through, and there’s also a honeycomb grid that lets you control the direction of the beam.

While softboxes can be a little unwieldy when you’re working at close distances, the fact that they can be mounted directly onto your flash unit (unlike reflectors) is immensely useful if you’re working solo. This particular softbox is constructed from hardy materials designed to withstand the heat generated by flash units, and comes with a carry-case for easy transportation. 

Pros:

• Brilliantly portable softbox for flash heads
• Can be mounted in multiple positions
• Part of a modular system

Cons:

• Requires separately purchased adapter
  
  

For another light-diffusing option, we really like the MagMod MagBounce 2. A slim light modifier constructed from silicone, the MagBounce 2 simply attaches to your flash head, and can then be angled and manipulated for soft, directional light as you please. Sleekly designed, it folds down when it’s not in use, and its textured surface ensures that light is diffused without being reduced. The silicone rubber is rated for 99% elasticity even after repeated use, meaning it won’t deform or harden over time. 

The MagBounce 2 is part of a modular system from MagMod – get hold of the MagGrip 2 adapter and you can use the magnetic attachment system to easily swap in other accessories like the MagMod MagSphere 2 (also a good option for macro photography). It’s a cleverly designed system.