Frederik0711
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For "casual" usage, where 1:2 to 1:1 often is adequate, of flowers, bigger insects or reptiles, but also perhaps also for some architecture, landscape, and portraits, I would choose one of the below:
Voigtländer 65mm f/2 Macro 1:2 APO-Lanthar
Voigtländer 110mm f/2.5 Macro 1:1 APO-Lanthar
Sony 90mm f/2.8 G Macro 1:1 OSS
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 DG DN A
Other options are quite pointless, as the price difference doesn't justify several inferior factors. It's also pointless to adapt lenses from other mounts, especially first-party ones, as they won't be any cheaper than the native options, and make for a clumsy setup. The exceptions are lenses that one already owns, or ones with specifications that aren't available, as the Canon 65mm f/2.8 MP-E 1-5x.
The setup will be heavier, larger, have inferior autofocus, unless only using manual focus, and one would have to fiddle with adapters.
I prefer the Voigtländer options due to the fully mechanical focus design that they have. It might frustrate some how much they extend, or how long the focus throw it, though. I would say that their rendering is slightly superior to the other options, handle aberrations better, and also render more defined sunstars.
The last part might be very attractive to some, especially for city scape at night or some landscape, and can even be incorporated in to some macro scenes.
If one desires autofocus, either due to certain subjects where it's too much of a hassle, or one wants that extra convenience, the autofocus options will be more attractive.
The Sigma is slightly superior optically, to the Sony, though similiar to the Voigtländers, both at "macro" distances, and also at infinity, especially in the corners, and even at f/5.6 or slower. It doesn't necessarily focus worse than worse than the Sony, as the Sony has an old focus motor system.
The Sony is still excellent at every aperture, though, and the in-built stabilisation is practical at times.
For "passionate" usage, as for tiny insects, flowers (relative), or even deeper abstracts, "ultra macro"; beyond 2:1, is a necessity. There are really no options beside Laowa's lenses (for Sony FE), which are excellent. The Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO got "updated" by the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO. I would skip the 100. It's very long, which can ruin some flash setups, and that goes for the Sigma 105 as well, the new 90 is slightly superior optically, especially at infinity, and the focus is internal.
With this in mind, I would choose one of the following:
Laowa 85mm f/5.6 2x Ultra Macro APO
Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO
I chose the 85, as I prefer the lighter setup, and I'm always at f/5.6 or slower anyway. It's excellent as all the others, but might be the weakest at infinity. I pair it with the Laowa 25mm f/2.5-5x Ultra Macro, for some truly deep magnifcation. Both can be had for just a bit over the Sony or Sigma. For people who primarily photograph insects, and use the Sony FE system, I would always recommend one of the 2x lenses, and perhaps add one with even deeper magnification if desired. I use both of them hand-held, and I'm quite satisfied with what is possible. There are probably superior options to the Laowa 25, and I do consider trying them, like the Canon 65.
I can't hesitate enough to state that using a flash and a diffuser when experimenting with this genre, is absolute! This especially goes for anything beyond 1:1. One can then get away with ISO 100-400, basically all of the time, while still being able to stop down.
Edited on Jul 11, 2023 at 07:21 AM · View previous versions
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