These are the best Viltrox macro solutions when you want razor micro-contrast, faithful color, generous working distance for lights/flags, and smooth, precise focusing for insects, flowers, products, jewelry, and tabletop video—and here’s the honest landscape: Viltrox’s dedicated macro lineup is compact but capable, with the AF 100mm ƒ2.8 Macro (1:1) as the primary true macro, while many Viltrox primes/zooms offer strong close-focus that becomes “near-macro” with a quality achromatic diopter; prioritize true 1:1 where possible, flat fields for edge-to-edge product frames, long throws or linear MF response for predictable pulls, minimal LoCA so highlight edges don’t fringe, and shared front diameters so one CPL (for cross-polarization) and a good VND (for video) cover the kit. Full-frame/APS-C prime hero: Viltrox AF 100mm ƒ2.8 Macro (1:1)—crisp micro-contrast, generous working distance for jewelry/beauty, reliable AF for hybrid sets, and smooth MF with a readable scale; it doubles as a flattering tele-portrait in a pinch. Close-focus “near-macro” companions (use as-is or add a +2/+5 achromatic diopter): AF 75mm ƒ1.2 Pro (APS-C) for dreamy detail with shallow DOF and excellent focus control, AF 50mm/35mm/24mm (FF) and AF 56mm/33mm/23mm (APS-C) for food/product/tabletop B-roll at tight MFDs, and AF 13mm/16mm (ultra-wides on APS-C) for dramatic CFWA-style perspectives—stop down for edge discipline. Cine-leaning option: the Viltrox Cine 100mm T2.8 Macro (where available) or a follow-focus-geared AF 100/2.8 macro gives you long, smooth throws and 0.8-mod gearing for repeatable racks in commercial tabletop; pair with a small rail for fore-aft focus. Practical buyer tips: build a two-piece macro spine around the AF 100/2.8 Macro for true 1:1 and add your favorite close-focusing normal (35/1.8 or 50/1.8 FF, 33/1.4 or 56/1.4 APS-C) with a high-quality achromatic diopter for half-macro versatility; standardize filter sizes with step-up rings so one CPL (for cross-pol) and one VND cover everything; add a compact focusing rail for stacks, a ring flash or twin heads for insects, and a couple of black/white cards for edge control; if you film, test breathing and enable breathing compensation on supported bodies. Macro shooting tips: on a tripod kill IBIS/IS, switch to MF with peaking + magnification, and stack 5–40 frames at ƒ5.6–ƒ8 for depth without diffraction; for insects, use short-duration flash at low power (~1/200–1/250 s, ISO 100–400), approach at dawn when subjects are still, and angle light to spark specular “life”; for jewelry and glossy product, cross-polarize (linear gels on lights + CPL on lens) to tame glare, rotate back a touch to keep sparkle, and keep backgrounds distant for creamy fields; for handheld field work, brace and “rock” focus, shoot around ƒ5.6–ƒ9, and raise ISO rather than let motion smear; for video, lock a 180° shutter with a good VND, favor linear-response MF for controlled racks, keep moves tiny, and avoid stacking filters that invite flare; whether you’re chasing dew-tipped petals, plating desserts, shaping gem highlights, or crafting product beauty, the best Viltrox macro choices combine true 1:1 capability (AF 100/2.8), close-focus versatility across the lineup, and smooth handling—so your micro-world stays sharp, color-true, and beautifully sculpted.