Best Lenses under $500 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon Nikkor 2166 55-200mm

81.5 Macro Score
55-200mmf/4Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

The compact 437g body with 4.0-stop Vibration Reduction enables sharp handheld shots at 200mm, while extra-low dispersion glass controls distortion. As a Certified Refurbished lens with a 90-day warranty, it delivers like-new optical quality at a budget-friendly price, with Super Integrated Coating reducing flare. This lens suits Nikon DX DSLR owners needing a portable telephoto for travel, family events, and outdoor action.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Nikon TC-14E III 70-200mm

70.4 Macro Score
70-200mmNikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

Extends AF-S NIKKOR lens reach by 40% with only a one-stop exposure loss, turning a 70–200mm f/2.8 into a 98–280mm f/4 while preserving VR and metering. The fluorine-coated elements and weather-resistant barrel hold up in harsh conditions, and at 190g it adds minimal bulk. Best for wildlife and sports photographers using Nikon F-mount DSLRs who need extra focal length without carrying a second heavy telephoto lens.

View Details & Prices

Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 50mm

63.5 Macro Score
50mmf/16Nikon FWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

The bright f/1.4 maximum aperture and Silent Wave Motor deliver strong low-light performance and fast, quiet autofocus on Nikon F-mount bodies. Its compact 280g build and 9-blade diaphragm produce a pleasing, rounded bokeh for subject isolation without adding bulk. This lens is best for portrait and street photographers who need a lightweight prime with shallow depth-of-field control.

View Details & Prices

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 2162 18mm

58.2 Macro Score
18-135mmf/3.5Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The lens stands out with a 7.5x zoom spanning 18-135mm, an ED glass element that controls chromatic aberrations, and an AF-S motor delivering fast, quiet autofocus. A seven-blade rounded diaphragm renders pleasing out-of-focus backgrounds, and the 67mm filter thread accepts common accessories, while the renewed option offers tested reliability at a lower cost. This lens is best for DSLR beginners and travel photographers needing a single, affordable cover-all zoom for everyday shooting.

View Details & Prices
Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 2162 18mm lens
Price $389
Check Price at Amazon
Also available open box & refurbished:

Best Lenses under $1,000 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

78.6 Macro Score
16-35mmf/4Nikon FIS
Why we recommend this

The constant f/4 aperture and Vibration Reduction offering up to 4 stops of compensation make this a versatile ultra-wide zoom for handheld shooting. Its Nano Crystal Coat and two ED glass elements effectively suppress flare and chromatic aberration, delivering sharp, clear images in a relatively lightweight 680g body. This lens is best for landscape and architecture photographers using Nikon full-frame DSLRs who need a flexible wide-angle zoom with a practical 77mm filter thread.

View Details & Prices

No Lenses under $1,500 yet. See our top picks under $2,500

Best Lenses under $2,500 for macro

Best Pick

Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 2168 24mm

54.1 Macro Score
24mmf/32Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The 24mm focal length combined with +/- 11.5mm shift and +/- 8.5° tilt provides precise perspective control for architecture, while three ED and three aspherical elements with Nano Crystal Coat suppress distortion and flare. Its 1:2.7 maximum magnification and close-range correction system deliver sharp macro performance uncommon in a wide tilt-shift lens. This manual-focus optic is best for architectural photographers and product shooters needing full-frame Nikon F-mount movements without digital correction.

View Details & Prices

Premium Lenses for macro

Best Pick

Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 500mm F/5.6E PF ED VR 500mm

70.5 Macro Score
500mmf/5.6Nikon FISWeather Sealed
Why we recommend this

A Phase Fresnel element and magnesium alloy build shrink this 500mm prime to just 3.2 lbs, enabling handheld shooting with 4-stop Vibration Reduction. Its Nano Crystal Coat and three ED elements deliver high contrast and sharpness across the frame, even wide open at f/5.6. This lens is best for wildlife and sports photographers who need a lightweight, full-frame super-telephoto for extended field use.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

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

Nikon PC-E NIKKOR 20065 19mm

36.3 Macro Score
19mmf/32Nikon F
Why we recommend this

The 19mm focal length combined with +/- 12mm shift and +/- 7.5° tilt provides extreme perspective control on full-frame F-mount bodies, correcting distortion in-camera that software cannot replicate. Its complex 17-element optical design, featuring three ED and two aspherical elements with Nano Crystal Coat, delivers edge-to-edge sharpness even at maximum movements. This manual-focus lens is best for architectural photographers who require precise vertical line correction and critical sharpness across the entire frame.

View Details & Prices