This is an amazing lens! I bought it past october at B&H and I'm so glad I did it. I work with food photography and this one has really steped up my game. I actually spent months dreaming of the 100mm STF 2.8 but found out a couple of months before buying that the 100mm is not a macro, actually. But, yes, for food photos, it really changed the game for me.
I’m actually not a huge fan of the STF. Though I’ve never used it, I’ve found all the sample images I’ve seen from it look unnatural and photoshopped. It’s just way it’s made. Some people love that look, but I sure don’t. Definitely a subjective thing. This video explains my issue with it to a degree: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tnhNOJZWdg8.html
Another accurate and (mostly) fair lens review. Entertaining too (as always). Thank you, Wes. I've owned the 90mm macro for several years and have found it to be a brilliant performer overall. Where I think you're being a bit harsh is in the value rating. While the Sony 90 is more expensive than either the Canon or Nikon equivalents, the additional $$ buys significantly superior optical performance. Then too, you need to consider some other competition like the eagerly anticipated 110mm f/2.5 manual focusing macro from Voigtlander ($1098) or the 100mm f/2 manual focusing Zeiss Milvus macro for Nikon and Canon ($1843). Considering (from the reviews I've read) the Sony performs at least as well as and, by some accounts, better than the higher priced offerings, I'd say the Sony 90 merits a solid 9 out of 10 in the value department. Apart from the value category, your review is right on the money in every respect.
Have you ever consider adding an 85mm to your kit. I've noticed quite a few photographers adding the 85mm even though they have this 90mm, I am very reluctant to do so, I just think it is sort of an over kill. What is your opinion on the subject?
I own both l the 90 mm macro and the 85 f1.8. The 85mm is a great lens for the price and is easier to carry around. It is smaller, lighter, faster at focusing, better for low light, and although also sharp is generally a more flattering portrait kens. It is also silent in operation which the 90mm is definitely not The 85mm will travel with me as part of a lightweight prime kit while the 90mm will stay at home . I am happy to have and would recommend both of these lenses as excellent performers.
Well rigth now 2020 in ebay you can find this lens between $920 to $800 in used conditions, probably $950 to $1090 new, is still a very interested lens, I have it before, and if was a very sharp images, but kind the slow focus, even on macro, I would like to have this lens again, but in a much cheaper price, like $750 to $600?? Why not in ebay I always find a very good deals, especially in the accion sales😉
Indeed!!!! The Design of the lens is not so similiar with the others Sony nor the MINOLTA - Lens. BUT I Found The Design neitherless so nice !!!! So somehow Retro-But-Also-Modern!
The problem I find with people doing reviews on macro lenses is that they usually aren't purchasing the lens for what it is designed for. Your review is one of the few with more macro examples than portraits, thank you. I enjoyed your review, but from a true macro standpoint the 110m f2.5 voightlander is worth the extra 100$ even without AF. It really is a thing of beauty, and you can throw it at a brick wall once a week for the next 15 years.
Gonna grab one of those tomorrow for my A9 :) Have been shooting macro with Canon MP-E65 with MC-11, Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2:1 for Sony, but is manual... can't wait to have my hands on this piece of excellence :)
Thanks for the great review! For me this lens is a love and hate relationship. I like the sharpness and the af, but don't like the bokeh. Probably as sharp with better image quality is the Laowa 100mm 2,8 APO lens that even offers 2:1 magnification. If you haven't tried it - it's worth it, but manual focus.
Stefan Becker Glad there’s Someone out there that agrees with me on the bokeh at least 😏 I’ll have a look at that one when I get a chance...but I have very quickly become pretty lazy with my AF usage since I got an a9 😂
How many of those other macro lenses have image stabilization? Maybe this lens is a better value than what you said. Maybe another point? Unless all those other lenses have image stabilization.
The Nikon and Canon macros have stabilization, as best I can tell the others don’t. But at 50mm, the sensor stabilization would likely be sufficient, making lens stabilization a bit redundant. It’s generally only in the longer focal lengths (90/100+) that lens stabilization starts becoming truly useful when you have decent IBIS. But you’re right, that’s definitely a point in its favor.
Do you experience any ‘movement’ in the lens? Particularly at close focus in manual? A slight clunk… not always there and disappears when OIS is switched off.
@@WesPerry Interesting. Is it more noticeable on this lens than others? Don’t hear anything on my 24-105 or 70-300, but maybe the zoom makes a difference and the floating elements in the 90?
I'm not completely convinced of the sharpness of this lens. At infinity and aperture 2.8 the corners of the image are a little bit soft - at least with my copy of the Sony 90mm 2.8 macro lens. I used to have the 100mm f2 Zeiss Macro ZF lens for Nikon-F. It was tack sharp from macro range to infinity even in the corners at f2.0 on my Nikon D810. Yes, this is not the way a macro lens is supposed to be used, but personally I would choose the 100mm f2 Zeiss because of it's sharpness and rendering even though it doesn't have autofocus and image stabilization any time over the Sony 90mm f2.8 lens, if it was available for Sony E-Mount. Well it isn't and Nikon-F to Sony-E mount adapters don't work too well in my experience. Therefore I would agree that the 90mm 2.8 is the best macro lens for Sony that is available at the moment.
Had to give it a whirl. I put both my extension tubes on it (smaller super cheap plastic ones with AF passthru) and they worked just fine for focus. BUT the very corners of the frame were vignetted off. So definitely not perfect. This gave me magnification so that the whole frame was filled with just one keycap on my keyboard. Not quite as well behaved as my “backup” macro setup, which is the 55 1.8 Zeiss. Very sharp, and works corner to corner with the tubes, and with quicker AF than the 90 Macro (albeit over a very limited focus range with the tubes).
I changed to Sony less than a year ago and bought just three lenses and two bodies, one of the lenses being the 90mm f2.8 macro. I really rate this lens: it's as good, if not better, than all the other macro lenses I have owned. My previous macro lenses include the Canon 100mm f2.8L IS, Olympus 60mm f2.8 and the fabulous, but incredibly heavy, Sigma 180mm f2.8 OS. I agree with you with respect to using the Sony 90mm on the A7II: mine does tend to hunt around a fair bit on close up stuff so I tend to use anula focus: but is excellent at close up ranges on autofocus with my A7III. As a bonus, Sony gave me an £80 cashback on my 90mm macro and £100 cashback on my 100 - 400mm G Master.
DxO rates the lens as almost Twice as sharp as the Canon Macro, which is wild. And it would take a lot more than £100 off for me to buy the 100-400 😂 (as I really have no excuse to own it other than the obvious Want 😏).
Are you not making too much of the boketh ball's. So what if they are not round. Where does it say it must be round? I have a few zeiss with the ninja stars image at 1. 8 to 4 I love it, great character. The $29,000 cooke cinema Ken's have a weird aperture blade design that is unlike anything ever seen. A ninja on weed! They are reveared. The lens is astonishing good. Worth every nickel.
Oddly shaped or unevenly exposed bokeh isn't necessarily in and of itself an issue (though most photographers would say it is), but it can also cause nervous rendition of out of focus backgrounds, and distracting effects, which is an issue. And that is the case with this lens.
I am planning to get this lens for product and food photography. Kindly let me know if this lens will do justice. I have always relied on a 50mm for my product shots wanted a sharper lens for more detail so please suggest.
@@WesPerry Thank you for this. I am going for the 90 G I feel its a good lens to have in the kit. Thank you once again for helping me make this decision.
I've had the 90mm for about 4 years now and it is undoubtedly the sharpest lens I ever owned. Hey, do you ever consider adding an 85mm to your kit. I've noticed quite a few photographers adding the 85mm even though they have this 90mm, I am very reluctant to do so, I just think it is sort of an over kill. What is your opinion on the subject?
I actually have the 85GM. I love the way it renders and looks, but it’s not perfect. I’d love to try out the 1.8 someday, but I’ve looked at the sample images, and while it’s an amazing value and great performer, I simply prefer the look of the GM personally. 👌🏻 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zMxebmFq1wE.html
hi ,,,,,one confusion is i have a 50 mm prime lens and 28-70 mm zoom lens with kit sony A7 M3 ....... ONLY FOR FAMILY TOUR OUT DOOR AND INDOOR PHOTO FOR ONLY FAMILY .........NOW 85 MM F 1.8 OR 90MM F 2.8 IS BEST FOR ME.......WITH GOOD QUALITY PHOTO.......PLEASE ADVISE ME AND GUIDE ME.....
I started my Sony experience with this lens. The most FUN lens to own as its versatility and amazing macro makes it a joy to use. Fun score - 10 out of 10! Wes, you should add that category, next to the character :)
@@WesPerry thanks. Just got it. FUNtastic piece of equipment, really. I usually take my Laowa 2:1 100 f/2.8 Cdreamer with me underwater, as I just love that lens, but being fully manual, inside my housing I can only control focus or aperture, not both (only have one control ring). If I take my MP-E65, I don't have infinite focus... So I am looking forward to go scubadive now with this one :)
Depends how much room you have, and how strong your arms are ;) The 105 is phenomenal. Bokeh is amazing, super sharp, and has the best AF of any e-mount Art lens. The 85 1.8 on the other hand is very small, very sharp, and very snappy. Very different lenses! Personally, I don’t think I want to manage a lens that big/heavy on a daily basis, as great as it is.
This is the review I was looking for! Thank you for mentioning it's performance with the a9! I just bought the a9ii and this is going to be my first lens! So excited to what I can do with it!
I was going to get the Sony 90mm macro --- should I sell the Sigma 85mm 1.4 (is there any reason to have both?) I'm just starting to dabble in portraits
@@WesPerry lol Sorry I should’ve added I wanted to get into macro photography that’s why I was choosing the 90 mm I’m on the fence about portraits but the 90 mm was appealing that I could possibly do both
Nice review @WesPerry! I enjoy seeing what you have to say on gear like this. I have a film/ cinematography background but take advice from people like you for photography tips. I saved up to purchase this lens a little while ago and have yet to put it to good use, but just testing it in my room with a few things made me love it. I think I will really enjoy getting into macro/ product photography. I want to say what a nice setup you have as well, I've seen a few of your other videos awhile back and it seems your production has gotten more polished there sir... nice! the crisp quality, lighting, and animation were delightful to watch. you even seem more magnetic on camera, your cat was pretty cool too. you're going to have to share your workout routine with us one day because your chest looks insane btw. keep up the good work bro!
Always working to make things a little better, though I don’t invest much specifically in youtube. Just using components from my photography business to make it work. I’m hoping that the forthcoming a7Siii will be a great hybrid camera for both sides of the fence. And I try to find time to do about 100 pushups a day (mostly all at once as a part of a makeshift circuit). Who’s got time to go to the gym?? Not this guy. Haha.
Wes Perry Dude I cant wait until they announce the A7Siii ! I love my A7 iii but the S will hopefully be even better. You’re doing fine on here, people don’t stop to realize your “tribe” finds you on here. We appreciate what you bring to the community manas far as experience and knowledge , you’re authentic handsome guy with a great personality too... humor and all (the 🐈 was great). Thanks for the fit tip, I’m actually gym rat but I might have to start doing pushups at home 💪🏻👌. Thanks for replying, see you in the next video.
You can check out this lengthy tutorial if you want to get all pixel-peepy about it. I generally just go by the shots I’m taking (which I kind of regret doing with my 35 1.4, as it took me too long to notice how soft it was to return it). www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-to-test-your-lens
My 90 stopped recognizing the aperture or autofocusing. It essentially lost most communication with the camera. The repair depot said something about a circuit board needing to be replaced.
Hello when I put it in manual mode, I zoom perfectly from a distance, but when I shoot the zoom it disappears and the photo is seen from afar, what could it be?
The zoom is just a focus assist, not a zoom. So it “punches in” so you can see what you’re focusing on more clearly, but when you actually press the shutter it goes back to showing you the whole picture.
I got mine few days ago (on your suggestion) and I love it! Taking shots of my corals and basically everything around me. Very cool lens to play with, sharp edge to edge and awesome build quality!
Just out of curiosity.. When you're shooting hand held macro on the A9, are you shooting single point focus or are you locking on with the tracking feature etc..? Thanks,
I have it and I agree with everything you said, Wes. I am always pleased with the results. Did I mention it is sharp?! May I ask what went wrong with your first copy of this lens? My only complaint with my copy is a somewhat noisy focus motor but I think it has gotten better with use. Love your "tail line"- Keep on being pawesome!
Lol. Wasn’t sure if anyone would notice the “tailine”. It’s not nearly as loud as the 85GM, but yeah, especially when you take control with the focus clutch, you can definitely hear it. The first one lost aperture control and focus. It was recognized by the camera, but wouldn’t do anything. I suppose a mechanical focus control might have come in handy at that point 😏
@@WesPerry Wow, that would be very upsetting! Did that happen very soon after you purchased it or closer to the warranty end date? I hope Sony just replaced it with a brand new copy. Fingers crossed, I have never owned a bad copy of a lens, well at least as far as I can tell! Would be interesting to get to try a couple of copies of the same lens.....
It was near the end of the warranty. The replacement was...complicated. It was before I had pro support, and they sent it to the Canadian repair sub-contractors. They couldn’t fix it and waited a month or so for parts, which never came. Then they told me it couldn’t be fixed, as the lens had been discontinued, and no parts would be available. Then they pushed it back to Sony, who also continued to insist that the lens was permanent discontinued (that was almost two years ago I think? Obviously it wasn’t). So they gave me a cash payout for the lens, and I just bought a new one on amazon. Bizarre.
@@WesPerry Wow, that is quite the cautionary tale. I am surprised that you are even still shooting with Sony after that treatment! Testament to the a9/a7iii - at least they are giving us some great firmware updates in the near future!
I literally had a couple D750’s in my online shopping cart at one point. I was totally about to jump ship and finally talked myself down. Things have been much better since I joined pro support, but that really shouldn’t be a necessary step for getting an in warranty lens repaired/replaced in less than two months.
The Sony 50mm macro image quality/sharpness was great, however the minimum working distance is about 3cm which is very, very close to unusable. The bokeh was also horrible for portraits in my opinion. It really shined for me at landscapes though and the focus ring was superb. I had to sell it in the end as the AF motor was TERRIBLE. Absolutely blimin' TERRIBLE.
Just got this lens, missing my old Canon 100 L since i made "the switch". Either my copy sucks, or im doing something wrong, but the manual focusing is horrible when trying to make fine fine adjustments. It jumps a bit. Especially noticeable in 4,7x zoom. I mean... of course it is focus by wire and not mechanical, i get that, but i honestly thought it would be much better... Oh well... i guess ill get used to it. Or get the Samyang 100 instead... :P
Lots of options. There’s also the Sigma 70mm macro, and now the new Tokina, though I would expect the Sigma to be the best among those. You must be doing some incredibly fine adjustments there. Other people I’ve spoken to find that using a geared tripod head is much easier for super fine tuning of a macro shot than manually focusing a lens (E-mount or otherwise).
@@WesPerry Yeah, well tried it some more in the field and i guess it's not so bad as my initial reaction. Although for a macro lens i would have preferred mechanical focus control.
Excellent comparison, sir! I have a question...As a landscape and product STILLS X-T3 shooter (no video), I have been debating on selling my Fuji kit (reluctantly), and moving into FF, specifically the Sony a7Rlll and lenses like the Sony 16-35 f/2.8 GM, and the 90mm f/2.8 G Macro . Since I shoot 99% tripod-mounted, neither IBIS nor video interests me. So, my question is, for large print output (around 24"x 36" prints), how much of an improvement in terms of image sharpness, detail rendition, dynamic range, base ISO performance, etc., would I see over the already excellent X-T3 (combined with the ultra-sharp Fujinon XF80mm f/2.8 Macro lens), when using the a7Rlll and the Sony 90mm f/2.8 G Macro tripod-mounted? Thanks!
You’ll get approx double the dynamic range and iso performance. As far as lenses go, the Sony 90 macro is about 60% sharper than the Fuji (you heard that right), plus you’ll have 60% more pixels to work with, which will in total net you an increased perceptual resolution of approx 2.5x. That should be pretty noticeable.
@@WesPerry Thanks again, Wes! BTW, do you mind sharing the site at which you found the Fuji/Sony Macro lens comparison? I'd love to be able to see those images myself, since I am frankly, incredulous that the Sony is that much sharper than the already ultra-sharp Fujinon!
I can’t decide whether I like the 135 or the 105 more. They’re both phenomenal lenses, though. Couldn’t give up my 90 for one, though. I love Macro work too much!
I find complaints about a macro lens based on its alternative use a portrait glass quite unfair. Macro lenses are supposed to be brutally sharp and clinical. It's obvious that they are gonna be to resolving for portrait work. Otherwise they wouldn't be a really nice macro at all. There are plenty of superb options for E-Mount portrait lenses (FE 85 1.8; FE 85 1.4 GM to name a few). Just go with those and use macros for what they are. That said, the review was quite nice.
I included that part as this lens is Very widely considered as a dual purpose lens for both portraiture And macro work. So I had to talk about how it worked for both, as that’s how many prospective buyers are looking at it.
Good video. But the irritating part was that we could hear you dragging the hands over the lens. Super frustrating. Otherwise a good video. Informative and what i looked for.
i've owned this lens for a year now.... great lens... as far as bokeh??? I have never had anyone tell me that their portrait's bokeh was not perfectly round... LOL ...
Amazing video! I'm looking at upgrading to A7iii and want to pick this or the 85 1.8...I can't decide?😳 85 is faster, but I like the idea of getting into macro work. The problem is i've never done it so not sure if I should try a cheaper macro alternative to see if I even enjoy it 🤔
If you have a crop camera (Nex or A[four digit number]) you could try the 30mm/3.5. Small and not very expensive but not a very good lens and due to the short focal length you have to get really close (ca. 20mm from the front element) for macro. I didn't shoot a lot of portraits so it probably won't be the 85/1.8 for me but maybe the Sigma 70/2.8. On the other hand I just bought an A6400 that doesn't have IBIS so the OSS of the 90mm Macro would be an advantage. But it's so expensive...
I also have this lens and it definitely must not be lacking in my photo bag, it is a winner that is my most versatile lens along with my Sony FE 24-105mm.f.4 G OSS, and by the way another good review from you!
I haven’t tried the 24-105 yet. I guess I spend too much time in low light situations to venture into that one. Maybe someday I’ll have a free minute or two to do some traveling ;)
I went with the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 instead of the Sony 24-105 f.4 as it was about a third cheaper and significantly lighter . I have been very pleased with it on my a7iii.
Indeed I do. I also often use it for the makeup shots, as the 85 has a somewhat poor close focusing distance. The 90 stays in the car/case for much of the day, though.
Ever since I got the 90, I’ve forgotten about my 55 and 70-200. Just like you said, it does well with close focusing, which to me makes it another really versatile lens.
I’m not terribly fond of the bokeh in outdoor/wide open aperture conditions. I find it gets nervous when the background is busy at all. Plus, shooting at 1.4 is a whole other thing ;)
I never use those. I find the camera already has enough buttons right where my fingers already are that fumbling around for a button on the lens, the existence and location of which changes every time I change my lens, is much less convenient.
@@WesPerry ok - but, you reviewed the lens .. and along with the design and functions of the lens and smartly chosen diameter of the lens, should have been considered as design advantages. its a good review - but I think like many videos subtle things that Sony does goes overlooked. thanks
Hi, I'm just worried about when you say that your first copy of this lens "gave up"? I'm about to purchase one and now I'm doing research. Is it durable? Because it's expensive and I'm not going to spend money on something that will not last for at least 5 years.
I haven’t heard of that happening to many other people (the only one I’ve heard a lot of reports of breaking is the 70-200GM. Lensrentals told me it was the most fragile lens they rent). I think it was just a random thing, but who knows?
I made an in-depth research on this lens' build quality and I found out that it's not durable. Most of the internal parts that hold the lens together are made of plastic. In fact, the lens mount was only screwed on 4 plastic threads-the thing that supports all of the lens' weight while mounted on your camera. A fall from at least 2 feet, even inside a camera bag, would break the lens apart. :(
I have the lens and I agree with you. Check for dust between the glass elements. I had to exchange 5 copies of this lens until I found one that was clean.
@@princeharbinger I bought it at a very reputed dealer in Europe and went on a 5 days holiday in the mountains. When I returned I wanted to clean my gear and the second I used a flashlight to better see the dust I was flabbergasted by the amount of dust I could see inside the lens. My little photo trip was made in very clean conditions - autumn mounting forest with virtually no dust to speak of. As you just mentioned the lens should be dust resistant and it is a prime lens that does not extend (no chance of it sucking dust in) so I went back to the dealer. They were very helpful and agreed to let me chose from 5 different copies that they had in stock at the time. At least two of those lenses had even worse dust contamination directly from the factory. Surprisingly one was completely dust free and that was the one I ended up with. I wrote back to Sony and they said they regret the incident and will investigate further. I hope it's not just a P.R. automatic response.
hehehe .. I’ll try to get my hands on a copy of each, in the future. i’ve shot with the 80mm a few times and i really like it. never tried the sony, though.. i’ll let you know if i am able to do the comparison ;) cheers
An extremely helpful review, covered pretty much everything a buyer would need to know. One small note, your video quality is excellent but it's too bad your audio isn't on par. I'm going to guess most people don't watch youtube on a high end hifi stereo system like myself but I just thought being such an excellent reviewer you'd appreciate the constructive criticism. Thanks again for a great review.
Oh I know my audio is quite lacking. Eyeing a Deity D3 Pro to fix that...but I don’t make much of anything off the channel just yet, so it’s a little hard to justify 😬
@@WesPerry Being into photography as a hobby not business I can totally relate. I really tried not to come across at "that guy" who always criticizes but I often think sometimes we just don't notice things or play our videos back on a laptop etc. Thanks for the reply, wasn't expecting one. Excellent video, I just subbed and will look at your others, you have a natural talent for explaining things clearly, I literally watched 20 videos on this lens and yours was the best. Happy shooting!
Thanks! I definitely don’t mind constructive feedback. And I always try to stay on top of the comments...because how else would I know what I’m missing? 😏