Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM 60mm

A razor-sharp macro and portrait prime that's one of the best values in the Canon EF-S lineup. Skip the overpriced new listings and grab a renewed one to see what your camera can really do.

The sharpness is what gets you. At f/2.8 it's already crisp, and stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 delivers pixel-level detail that makes you want to re-shoot your entire jewelry box. The USM autofocus is a standout, ranking in the 94th percentile for its class, it snaps into focus with confidence and the full-time manual override is a lifesaver for fine-tuning macro shots. The real surprise is the bokeh. It's not just smooth, it's creamy enough to land in the 82nd percentile, making out-of-focus backgrounds melt away nicely for a non-L lens.

The obvious alternative is a longer macro like Canon's own 100mm f/2.8L, but that's a much pricier full-frame lens. If you need more working distance for bugs, save up for that. The real fight is against a modern superzoom like the Sigma 16-300mm or Tamron 18-300mm. Those are infinitely more versatile for travel and general shooting, but they can't touch this prime's macro sharpness or wide aperture for portraits. This is a specialist, and it wins in its specialty.

Pricing is all over the map, from $370 to a laughable $950. Do not pay anywhere near the high end. At around $400, this lens is a steal for the optical quality you're getting. The sweet spot is finding a clean used or renewed copy from a reputable seller on Amazon, which gets you 90% of the performance of Canon's L-series macro glass for a fraction of the cost.

This is the sharpest little secret in Canon's APS-C lineup. The EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro is a lens that does two things absurdly well for the money: it's a true 1:1 macro that reveals insane detail, and it doubles as a flattering 96mm-equivalent portrait lens. The autofocus is fast and silent thanks to the ring-type USM motor, and the f/2.8 aperture gives you real subject separation. It's not a do-it-all zoom, and it's strictly for crop-sensor bodies, but if you want to explore macro or just get a killer short telephoto prime, this is it.

If you're a one-lens traveler who wants to shoot landscapes and wildlife, this isn't it. The 60mm focal length on a crop body is too tight for wide vistas, and the lack of zoom will frustrate you. Go grab a superzoom like the Sigma 18-300mm instead.

Get this lens if you're on a Canon crop-sensor body and want to dive into macro photography without breaking the bank. It's a gateway drug to the tiny world, and the portrait results are a massive bonus. Just be smart about the price you pay and know that you're buying optical brilliance wrapped in a consumer-grade plastic shell.