Macro Lenses For Underwater Photography

Nature’s patterns and color come to life with underwater macro photography. The mesmerizing detail that dedicated 1:1 macro lenses capture show textures that we otherwise would have never realized existed. Both dSLR and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras offer some incredible macro choices to add to your underwater arsenal.

What is a Macro Lens?

Macro lenses have the ability to focus close to the subject, generally filling the frame at a 1:1 true life size ratio. The longer the lens (like a 100/105mm) the greater working distance is provided which can be beneficial when photographing skittish critters.

Choosing A Macro Lens

Choosing your lens is important. It is possibly even more important than choosing your camera. I always say the image can only be as good as what the camera “sees” so you certainly don’t want a lens that is lacking in quality. So how do you choose a lens?  

Most are brand specific. Lens mount adapters are available to interchange lens/camera body manufacturers but outfitting the combinations for underwater photography may be limited. Be sure to check if pairing the housing with the required port  is offered for your specific setup.  If you already have the camera body then your choices have been narrowed down for you. But what if you’re just beginning and have the opportunity to start fresh?  Here is a list of popular macro prime lenses available for underwater photography. 

Nikon Macro Lenses

Nikon’s Nikkor F Mount lenses are compatible with all Nikon dSLR camera bodies. The Z Mount is designed for the mirrorless lineup and with the FTZ adapter, the F Mount lenses are compatible with their mirrorless bodies. 

AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED 

• F Mount- Compatible with Nikon dSLR cameras (mirrorless w/ adapter)
• Great general macro lens especially for black water diving
• Silent Wave Motor
• Smaller and much lighter than the 100mm
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED 

• F Mount – Compatible with all Nikon slr cameras (mirrorless w/ FTZ adapter)
• Excellent choice for underwater macro photography
• Works well with macro close up wet lenses
• Longer working distance than the 60mm (best for skittish subjects / super macro)
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

(Read about the differences between the 60mm and 100/105mm here.)

Sony Macro Lenses

The Sony FE lens lineup is designed for full frame Sony mirrorless camera bodies and compatible with their APS-C mirrorless cameras.  

Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

• Great choice for Sony APS-C sensors
• Wider field of view vs the FE 90mm
• 1:1 macro focusing capability
• Significantly lighter than the Sony FE 90mm

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

• The “go to” choice for Sony macro shooters
• Great for super macro with longer working distance than the FE 50mm
• G Lens quality with OSS built in stabilization
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

Sigma Macro Lenses

Sigma offers a variety of mounts to suit many camera bodies mainly Nikon, Canon and Sony.  A wide range of focal lengths are available from the 17-70mm (1 to 2.8 macro ratio)  zoom to the 105mm f/2.8 DH OS HSM macro with optical stabilizer.

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro

• DG- Digital Full Frame and APS-C Compatible
• Low Dispersion and Aspherical Elements
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

• DG- Digital Full Frame and APS-C Compatible
• Super Multi Layer Coating
• Most working distance than other Sigma macro lenses (best for skittish subjects)
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

Olympus Macro Lenses

The M.Zuiko micro four-thirds system lenses are small, lightweight yet powerful lenses and compatible with both the PEN and OM-D cameras with focus bracketing modes.  Check out the recommended underwater settings and macro tips for the PEN EPL5 and previous PEN cameras. 

ED 30mm f/3.5 Macro

• Micro Four-Thirds System
• Two Aspherical Elements, One EDA Element
• Equivalent to 60mm (35mm)
• Close working distance

ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro

• Micro Four-Thirds System
• One Extra Low Dispersion Element
• Equivalent to 120mm (35mm)
• 1:1 True Macro Life Size Ratio

Read the full review on the Olympus 60mm lens here.

Panasonic Macro Lenses

Panasonic offers a wide variety of great lenses with the micro four-thirds mount. Their 30mm and 45mm macro lenses, with their wide field of view, allow for photographing larger underwater subjects.  Take a look at the full review of Panasonic’s 45mm Macro here.

G Macro 30mm f/2.8 ASPH

• Micro Four-Thirds System
• One Aspherical Element
• Equivalent to 60mm (35mm)
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• Close working distance

G Leica Macro 45mm f/2.8 ASPH

• Micro Four-Thirds System
• One Aspherical Element, One ED Element
• Equivalent to 90mm (35mm)
• Optical Image Stabilizer
• In collaboration with Leica’s strict quality tolerances

Venus Optics Laowa 24mm Macro Lens

The uniquely designed 24mm ultra macro Laowa lens is compatible with Nikon,Canon and Sony camera bodies however at this time Nauticam is the only housing manufacturer outfitting this lens for underwater use. Read the full review on Venus Optics Laowa Macro Probe “Bug Eye” Lens. Similarly, Inon makes the UFL-MR130 Macro-Fisheye Wet Lens designed for the Canon EF-S 60mm lens specifically for an Inon housing. 

Macro Wet Lenses

Close up wet lenses are a fun way to increase the macro capabilities of the camera lens underwater. Wet lenses attach to the outside portion of the underwater housing and have no interference with the housing’s ability to protect the camera inside. By changing the working distance between the lens and the subject, close up wet lenses allow the lens to focus even closer to your subject filling the frame beyond life size. There are numerous manufacturers, diopter strengths and multipliers available today most with the standard 67mm thread to fit the front of your port.  

Visit Bluewater Photo for a complete list of macro wet lenses and the Macro Mini Mate specifically designed for GoPro users.

See the Nauticam Close Up Lens holder at Bluewater Photo Store

Read the comparison between Nauticam SMC and Subsee +10 close up lenses here.

Lens Adapters

Combining your choice macro lens with your current camera body may be possible with the many adapters available today.  For instance, a metabones adapter makes it easy to pair a Sony body with a Nikon lens. Or if you wish to take the tried and true Canon EF mount lenses and use them with the Canon mirrorless line, Canon offers an EF-M or EF-R adapter. Wet lens flip adapters are a must when switching back and forth between your primary macro lens and an added super macro close up wet lens.  Check port options with the housing manufacturer to be sure the chosen combination is available.

Further reading – Super Macro How to Tips

Want to learn more about Underwater Macro Photography? These tips and settings are a must read.

Shop macro lenses, macro diopters, macro ports, and more on Bluewater Photo for all the housing, accessory and shooting tips you need to bring home excellent underwater video.