The MTFs look good, and the price is right...
I often prefer a shorter macro for the botanical work I do; has a more "involved" perspective and use my old Zuiko 50 3.5 which is sharp enough but not very contrasty. This little guy could be good,,,,
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · In stock! Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
I didn't see that one coming. I'd have expected a budget 85 2.8 or something along the lines. Then again, a lower priced alternative to the 90mm 2.8 probably makes sense from Sony's perspective, even if it's yet another 50mm.
In case anybody was wondering this is not a simple/straight rebadge of the old Minolta/Sony a-mount lens: The e-mount lens is lighter (236g vs 295g), but features more elements (8 versus 7).
As I'm personally not interested in a 50 macro, I hope they have more lens announcements planned for next month.
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · In stock! Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
I expect it to focus a bit slowly, like the 50/1.8 FE that was introduced in spring. However there is a trick, use AF-C and you avoid the racking back and forth as the contrast AF in the AF-S mode searches for sharp focus.
So, I too expect this to be a fine lens, looking at the MTF. I'm also very pleased with my Sony 90/2.8 macro.
Now we have four native normal lenses from Sony, 50/2.8 Macro FE, 50/1.8, 50/1.4 ZA FE and the 55/1.8 ZA FE.
PS, here has been nothing on sonyalpharumors about this, as of my writing this, 15:36 Central European Time, Aug. 30. I guess they aren't that informed.
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · In stock! Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
Interesting and maybe they feel if Nikon and canon have one they should as well. 50 macros are pretty popular as many hobbyists like to shoot flowers and such so I see this as a good seller and it's kind of priced in the middle of the 50 pack. So you may see a lot of folks buying this when buying a camera instead of the cheaper 50. For a lot of us maybe no interest but we need to remember the high end hobbyist and Pros are a much smaller market segment than the general population. Keep them coming.
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · In stock! Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
It's funny, a year ago people complained that if you wanted a 50-ish mm FE lens, you had to go with the expensive 55mm f/1.8...how times have changed!
Then again I've got a 55mm f/1.8 and I'm still holding onto it. Cheap one focuses too slow, and I don't need macro or f/1.4. But it's great to see there are choices for everyone now.
bjornthun wrote:
I forgot the Samyang 50/1.4 AF and the Zeiss Loxia 50/2 E. Now we're at no less than six native 50-ish options for full frame E mount.
Make it 7, with the Mitakon Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 FE.
Duckysaysquack wrote:
Maybe they wanted a small, cheap, lightweight macro to compete with the excellent but large 90mm? Would be interested to see some MTFs!
Though there is certainly a surplus of 50s, I think this one hits a sweet spot for me; I'll probably swap my 50mm f1.8 for it.
I'm trying to build up a cheap and compact kit for my A7II. I love the 28mm as a general purpose lens; 55mm isn't wide enough for my tastes. I was using the 50mm f1.8 for tighter framing (and it was cheap), but its close focus distance doesn't allow me to fill the frame as much as I'd like it to (same is true for the 55mm). 90mm is an outstanding lens, but I like wider macros and I'm trying to stay away from big lenses. I'm hoping Sony (or a third party) will release something more compact in the 85mm-135mm f2-2.8 range.
bjornthun wrote:
I forgot the Samyang 50/1.4 AF and the Zeiss Loxia 50/2 E. Now we're at no less than six native 50-ish options for full frame E mount.
You'd think someone could take a clue and give us that perfect 35mm f/2...
I guess they aren't that informed. 
