3rd lens addition to bag
p.1 #13rd lens addition to bag
For my other half who has just graduated to an APS-C option (A6700) from a bridge camera
Has the Sony 16-70 f4 and 70-350 currently and space in the bag for another option, ideally something a little better in low light with semi decent macro capabilities. Can be an aps or ff lens but all needs to go into a Gomatic 12l sling so nothing too big
85mm f1.8 would be a good option but doesnt really tick the macro box, 90mm f2.8 ticks the macro option but not sure what it would be like for non macro use on a crop sensor (seem to recall reading it hunts a lot) 50mm f2.8 a little short
Any other options to look into?
Thanks
Has the Sony 16-70 f4 and 70-350 currently and space in the bag for another option, ideally something a little better in low light with semi decent macro capabilities. Can be an aps or ff lens but all needs to go into a Gomatic 12l sling so nothing too big
85mm f1.8 would be a good option but doesnt really tick the macro box, 90mm f2.8 ticks the macro option but not sure what it would be like for non macro use on a crop sensor (seem to recall reading it hunts a lot) 50mm f2.8 a little short
Any other options to look into?
Thanks
Jul 13, 2026 at 04:19 AM
p.1 #23rd lens addition to bag
What's your SO looking for out of a "macro" lens? Is it all field work (flower shots, for example) or do they want to get into table top/reproduction? Are they wanting to get into bug hunting?
If it's the former, I wouldn't worry so much about picking a dedicated macro. I'd actually avoid it, particularly for flower shots. I'd go for something with a wider aperture that gives more bokeh options in those scenarios. My choice would either be the Zony 55/1.8 or Sigma 56/1.4, because I prefer the focal length, but if your SO wants something longer, I'd have nothing against the FE 85/1.8. All three of those lenses are great for the format. The Sonys have the advantage of being FF, so you cut off a lot of the things FF shooters complain about with the lenses. They are a little SA softened at MFD, which I think works to their advantage. You can stop them down to f/2.8 where typical macros start and they clean up nicely, but all three offer some beauty advantages wide open. I would supplement whatever I chose with an appropriately sized Kenko Pro AC1 No 3 diopter, because, even on APSC, their MFDs aren't spectacular. The diopter gets you closer without a huge drop in quality. I would also get into that knowing that they may need some manual intervention working at close distances with the diopter. Sometimes they just need a push in the right direction to keep them from sweeping their focus ranges.
If it's the former, I wouldn't worry so much about picking a dedicated macro. I'd actually avoid it, particularly for flower shots. I'd go for something with a wider aperture that gives more bokeh options in those scenarios. My choice would either be the Zony 55/1.8 or Sigma 56/1.4, because I prefer the focal length, but if your SO wants something longer, I'd have nothing against the FE 85/1.8. All three of those lenses are great for the format. The Sonys have the advantage of being FF, so you cut off a lot of the things FF shooters complain about with the lenses. They are a little SA softened at MFD, which I think works to their advantage. You can stop them down to f/2.8 where typical macros start and they clean up nicely, but all three offer some beauty advantages wide open. I would supplement whatever I chose with an appropriately sized Kenko Pro AC1 No 3 diopter, because, even on APSC, their MFDs aren't spectacular. The diopter gets you closer without a huge drop in quality. I would also get into that knowing that they may need some manual intervention working at close distances with the diopter. Sometimes they just need a push in the right direction to keep them from sweeping their focus ranges.
Jul 13, 2026 at 02:06 PM
p.1 #33rd lens addition to bag
I have the A6700 and the 16-70/4 OSS as well. For macro dedicated lens I’ll go with the 90 macro. For portraiture I like the Sonnar 55/1.8. If you want something longer the Sony 85/1.8 is an excellent lens. In my case, I have the Batis 85/1.8—it’s relatively light but the rendering is awesome. Good luck with your decision.
Jul 13, 2026 at 03:02 PM
p.1 #43rd lens addition to bag
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.
Jul 13, 2026 at 03:32 PM
p.1 #53rd lens addition to bag
Touits for Sony apsc are great choices. They might not be the fastest AF lenses but the rendering is fantastic on my 32/1.8 and 12/2.8.
Jul 13, 2026 at 04:08 PM
p.1 #63rd lens addition to bag
Steve Spencer wrote:
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.
Jul 13, 2026 at 04:28 PM
p.1 #73rd lens addition to bag
freaklikeme wrote:
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.
Was there a firmware update to the Touit 50? My 32/1.8 was noisy when it hunted for focus but I sent it to Zeiss in NYC for a firmware upgrade and the AF improved a lot.
Steve Spencer wrote
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.Was there a firmware update to the Touit 50? My 32/1.8 was noisy when it hunted for focus but I sent it to Zeiss in NYC for a firmware upgrade and the AF improved a lot.
Jul 13, 2026 at 04:33 PM
p.1 #83rd lens addition to bag
jojib wrote:
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.Was there a firmware update to the Touit 50? My 32/1.8 was noisy when it hunted for focus but I sent it to Zeiss in NYC for a firmware upgrade and the AF improved a lot.
There was, and it improved AF-C stickiness and fixed a shutter-release issue some were having. It didn't make it any faster or make it sound less like a pepper grinder and it's still likely to hunt some without help.
freaklikeme wrote
Steve Spencer wrote
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.There was, and it improved AF-C stickiness and fixed a shutter-release issue some were having. It didn't make it any faster or make it sound less like a pepper grinder and it's still likely to hunt some without help.
Jul 13, 2026 at 04:51 PM
p.1 #93rd lens addition to bag
freaklikeme wrote:
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.
I have a hearing deficit, so I am mostly immune to noisy lenses and therefore the last person to ask about such things. Sometimes my lack of hearing can be a blessing in disguise, but it makes my advice about such things pretty terrible. So my take on such things is not at all helpful. For example, when you wrote it sounds like a pepper grinder I actually have no clue what a pepper grinder sounds like and was a bit surprised it would be a loud sound,
. I don't doubt that it is, but I would never know that.
Steve Spencer wrote
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.I have a hearing deficit, so I am mostly immune to noisy lenses and therefore the last person to ask about such things. Sometimes my lack of hearing can be a blessing in disguise, but it makes my advice about such things pretty terrible. So my take on such things is not at all helpful. For example, when you wrote it sounds like a pepper grinder I actually have no clue what a pepper grinder sounds like and was a bit surprised it would be a loud sound,
. I don't doubt that it is, but I would never know that.Jul 13, 2026 at 05:12 PM
|
p.1 #103rd lens addition to bag
What about an FE85 plus a Nisi achromatic magnifier? Way cheaper and smaller than a 90G. Plus when subjects get moving quickly, the FE85 can keep up and the 90G simply can't. If you're not going to do a lot of macro, this might be a good way to go
Jul 13, 2026 at 05:32 PM
p.1 #113rd lens addition to bag
Steve Spencer wrote:
I absolutely love that glass. It's great all-around, but it's very noisy, slow, and lacks a focus limiter (no dedicated macro should be without one). For those reasons, I think the Sony FE 50 is a better proposition, though it's not fast, just mildly faster and quieter.I have a hearing deficit, so I am mostly immune to noisy lenses and therefore the last person to ask about such things. Sometimes my lack of hearing can be a blessing in disguise, but it makes my advice about such things pretty terrible. So my take on such things is not at all helpful. For example, when you wrote it sounds like a pepper grinder I actually have no clue what a pepper grinder sounds like and was a bit surprised it would be a loud sound, . I don't doubt that it is, but I would never...Show more →
I'm sorry to read about the deficit, but I'm glad you're finding an upside.
My guy would tell you that I'm making too much out of the noise, and he'd probably be right. The a1 and MF lenses are perfect. Everything else my mind makes out to be akin to gunshots.
freaklikeme wrote
Steve Spencer wrote
I have always thought that the Zeiss Touit 50 f/2.8 Macro is a really nice option for APS-C shooters. It provides full 1 to 1 macro if your SO is into that, but really nice performance not quite as close as well. The lens is fairly small as well being less than 100 mm long and less than 300g. The price isn't too bad either and you should be able to get it on the used market for less than $400.. I don't doubt that it is, but I would never...Show more →I'm sorry to read about the deficit, but I'm glad you're finding an upside.
My guy would tell you that I'm making too much out of the noise, and he'd probably be right. The a1 and MF lenses are perfect. Everything else my mind makes out to be akin to gunshots.
Jul 14, 2026 at 02:06 AM
p.1 #123rd lens addition to bag
Thanks all, some very helpful feedback
For the macro use, I'd say its very much towards the casual end of the spectrum - chasing butterflies/dragonflies & the odd flower in good light, nothing onerous and a little more working distance would be more useful than anything else
Tubes and a diopter on the 85mm f1.8 are an interesting option, hadn't thought of that and will look into the touit options
Thank you
For the macro use, I'd say its very much towards the casual end of the spectrum - chasing butterflies/dragonflies & the odd flower in good light, nothing onerous and a little more working distance would be more useful than anything else
Tubes and a diopter on the 85mm f1.8 are an interesting option, hadn't thought of that and will look into the touit options
Thank you
Jul 14, 2026 at 02:15 AM
p.1 #133rd lens addition to bag
Andyuk109 wrote:
Thanks all, some very helpful feedback
For the macro use, I'd say its very much towards the casual end of the spectrum - chasing butterflies/dragonflies & the odd flower in good light, nothing onerous and a little more working distance would be more useful than anything else
Tubes and a diopter on the 85mm f1.8 are an interesting option, hadn't thought of that and will look into the touit options
Thank you
If that is your SO's interest, then I would start by having them use the 70-350 G for that type of shooting and see if it is limiting. It works pretty well for those type of things and gets you basically 1:4 magnification, and if it doesn't work well enough just a diopter for that lens may be a better choice than another dedicated lens. Personally, for that type of shooting I prefer a long zoom with decent magnification over a dedicated macro lens.
Thanks all, some very helpful feedback
For the macro use, I'd say its very much towards the casual end of the spectrum - chasing butterflies/dragonflies & the odd flower in good light, nothing onerous and a little more working distance would be more useful than anything else
Tubes and a diopter on the 85mm f1.8 are an interesting option, hadn't thought of that and will look into the touit options
Thank you
If that is your SO's interest, then I would start by having them use the 70-350 G for that type of shooting and see if it is limiting. It works pretty well for those type of things and gets you basically 1:4 magnification, and if it doesn't work well enough just a diopter for that lens may be a better choice than another dedicated lens. Personally, for that type of shooting I prefer a long zoom with decent magnification over a dedicated macro lens.
Jul 14, 2026 at 07:16 AM
p.1 #143rd lens addition to bag
It's too bad Tamron hasn't brought out a mirrorless version of their 60/2 Macro. A little lightweight sweetheart like that is something the format needs.
Jul 14, 2026 at 05:36 PM
p.1 #153rd lens addition to bag
*deleted. Wrong thread. 🙂
Edited on Jul 14, 2026 at 09:29 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Jul 14, 2026 at 09:29 PM · View previous versions
Jul 14, 2026 at 08:18 PM
p.1 #163rd lens addition to bag
mudlake wrote:
Tamron 35-150, Viltrox 14, and Sigma 24/3.5. The 35-150 is fantastic and so versatile that it will be on the camera 85% of the time. The weight is worth it for the quality and convenience. Just carry it in a sling bag for quick access.
You might want to preface that with, "I haven't read the original post, but..."
Tamron 35-150, Viltrox 14, and Sigma 24/3.5. The 35-150 is fantastic and so versatile that it will be on the camera 85% of the time. The weight is worth it for the quality and convenience. Just carry it in a sling bag for quick access.
You might want to preface that with, "I haven't read the original post, but..."
Jul 14, 2026 at 08:42 PM
p.1 #173rd lens addition to bag
freaklikeme wrote:
You might want to preface that with, "I haven't read the original post, but..."
😂😂. Good point. I actually posted in the wrong thread. Thanks for the heads up. 😂
mudlake wrote
Tamron 35-150, Viltrox 14, and Sigma 24/3.5. The 35-150 is fantastic and so versatile that it will be on the camera 85% of the time. The weight is worth it for the quality and convenience. Just carry it in a sling bag for quick access.😂😂. Good point. I actually posted in the wrong thread. Thanks for the heads up. 😂
Jul 14, 2026 at 09:27 PM
p.1 #183rd lens addition to bag
@Steve Spencer
Yep, that is a good call - I find myself reaching for the 100-400 + TC more often than a dedicated macro lens so keeps us aligned in that regard
With hindsight the 70-200 f4 may have been a better option than the 70-350 for mixed wildlife and macro use
Yep, that is a good call - I find myself reaching for the 100-400 + TC more often than a dedicated macro lens so keeps us aligned in that regard
With hindsight the 70-200 f4 may have been a better option than the 70-350 for mixed wildlife and macro use
Jul 15, 2026 at 07:03 AM