Best macro lenses for watch photography?

I think it depends on the particular photo and what you want to capture. For me personally, a cameraphone, decent light (ambient or otherwise), taking time to set up the shot and editing is more than enough to get a great shot. Alternatively, if you wanted to experiment a little; in addition to the extension tubes, you could try reverse mounting you existing fixed aperture lenses (if you have any)

I'd say the hardest thing about macro photography in general and when photographing watches in particular is not lens selection, but controlling the amount and direction of lighting.  

Set up a camera (or phone) on a tripod, position the watch, then try changing the lighting and take the same picture again and again - this taught me more then swapping lenses and camera position (I am by no means an expert).

Extension tubes are a great cheap alternative. I finally bit the bullet and bought the Sony 90 mm 2.8 macro and I couldn't be happier!

+1 on this guy. 

Hey Ben, I use Sony GM 90mm macro. You really want to start with a lens that achieves at least 1:1 reproduction. The 90 allows you to not be right up on the subject and block the light.

https://youtu.be/oaA54H-tQdk

Making this video was an exercise in getting watchfinder level macro. They get some microscope magnification. For that I needed the 90 + extenders + 35mm mode +  sony lossless zoom + crop. Unfortunately at that level the Rolex sub I was filming totally fell apart in finishing 🤣 

This is a great topic for discussion! I've been playing around with a couple of different methods for my YouTube macro watch videos and landed on using a Canon EF-M 28mm F3.5 lens on my Canon M50 body. Yes, the focus distance is short (28mm but a bit longer due to the crop factor), but I find the lens to be very sharp and affordable, so long as the lighting is good :)

Sony G 90mm f2.8 macro. Dunno much about photography, but for video use manual focus. Also practice with lighting. Check this video out for results: https://youtu.be/8RrusB_AW-A

Best watch related video I've seen in ages. Superbly done !!

This is honestly the funniest watch-related content I’ve seen.

“Well YouTube tells me this is the type of pornography you are into…”

I feel seen. Can’t hit subscribe to WatchFlounder hard enough, may your captors pass you an extra helping of food through the door slit today. 😂 

Considering just got my Sony 90mm, I’d have to recommend it like everyone else 😂 

That being said, I was able to get away with extension tubes on my 35mm for the longest time… I only wanted the 90mm to have more flexibility in my shot selection/composition. That’s all to say, work with what you got and you can still come away with some beautiful results… in the end, it’s going to be the person behind the lens who is going to ultimately ruin the photo, 😂 

Haha, thanks. I was in a strange mood that week 🤣

It really depends on your budget. I use a Canon RP with a 35mm and 100mm macro lens. I also have a Sony a7ii with a couple of different lens. If it’s just watch photos you want to take and Fuji, Sony or Canon will be great. Just pick a great prime macro lens to go with it. 

I have a Laowa running a Nikon Z6 and it does a great job. No complaints. Like others have said..lighting and post processing with focus stacking. Also does a great job with video. 

Alternatively,  a newer phone with macro lens (Moment) does a reasonable job for IG. 

Laowa 60mm 2.8 2:1 Ultra-Macro on a Sony A7R2

Unfortunately with that setup, you get to see all that dust and crap inside Seagull Movements ....

This exists for crop sensor bodies and m4/3’s cameras. Constant aperture. All metal construction. 1:1 reproduction. Under £100.

I took these with a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. The camera was a Canon R5.