Looking for a small macro lens for when I go to museums and such. New to Sony, just switched from Nikon Z. I would use this on my A9.
I used and loved the Nikon 60mm f2.8 macro and hoped that the Sony Macro is every bit as good. Or if I should be looking at something else. I don't like extending barrels so something that doesn't do that would be great. Like a zoom that can go 1:2 maybe? How close can I get with the kit lens 28-70mm f3.3-5.6 I think, it's on the way so I don't know. The Z kit lens could get pretty close.
The FE 2.8/50 is really good optically, but it extends to focus with a slow DC motor. I use it a lot for product photography replacing the older A-mount version that extended more and wasn't as good optically. I do miss mechanical manual focus.
I am not aware of a native internal focusing alternative. I have the old Tamron SP 60mm F2 which is an internal focus APS-C macro that covers full-frame at high magnifications. The native Tamron F2.8 OSD M1:2 primes do 1:2, and their filter threads don't move. They are not flat field at high magnification like the FE 2.8/50.
gnet158 wrote:
Looking for a small macro lens for when I go to museums and such. New to Sony, just switched from Nikon Z. I would use this on my A9.
I used and loved the Nikon 60mm f2.8 macro and hoped that the Sony Macro is every bit as good. Or if I should be looking at something else. I don't like extending barrels so something that doesn't do that would be great. Like a zoom that can go 1:2 maybe? How close can I get with the kit lens 28-70mm f3.3-5.6 I think, it's on the way so I don't know. The Z kit lens could get pretty close.
Optically it’s surprisingly good both macro and other distances. As another poster said, it’s not fast to focus, though it is accurate. Probably no worse than competing life size AF macros. It’s wonderfully light. The only reservation I have is slightly busy bokeh at portrait distances wide open, if you want to use it that way. But only in some circumstances. It’s a great deal (but a G or GM version with a manual clutch and internal focus would be welcome as a premium option)
I kept very few Canon and Nikon lenses when I switched to Sony last year. But I did keep my Nikon 60mm macro. Works very well with a converter but I eventually wanted a native solution. I know have the amazing Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro yet still have the Nikon for nostalgia sake.
I have the Sony 90mm macro but wanted something smaller. I do still have a few DSLR so I might pick up the Nikon 60mm if I find one at the right price.
gnet158 wrote:
I have the Sony 90mm macro but wanted something smaller. I do still have a few DSLR so I might pick up the Nikon 60mm if I find one at the right price.
If you're looking at the AF-S lens, I think there's one on the B&S boards for $300. If you're looking at the AF/D, I'd reconsider unless everything you want to shoot is flat.
In addition to being slow, my 50mm F2.8 Macro is also noisy when focusing, may be a consideration for quiet museums? But I do love the size, weight, and optical performance.
