Sony FE 90mm F2.8 G Macro OSS Review | 4K

[@winstonllamas5163]

Dustin, the 90mm macro is my second favorite lens for the Sony system, next to the 200-600mm zoom. Now, if I could afford the 600mm f4 that might be a different story, but the 90mm macro is truly a great lens. It's glued to an APS-C body for the most part, where the extra distance to get 1:1 is advantageous. Great review as always.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The 200-600 is also fantastic. I really enjoyed using it.

[@michaelneel9335]

just got my lens 2 days ago and wow so worth it. love my clear photos and items i would have not thought about like a ring haveing scrapes dimonds you can see the nicks in the polishing and stones that are not clear wow you can see it all

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's pretty impressive, isn't it

[@robertsaca3512]

You must be new to macro 😂

[@sharadwala8377]

Your reviews are very candid, to-the-point and inspiring!!! Just bought a 85mm GM today for my new A7RIV and adding this 90mm Macro to my new collection of 16-35, 24-70 & 70-200 - all GM @ 2.8!! Took a lot of help from your reviews- Thank You...........you are the best!!!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad to help out!

[@davidwallace8980]

The 90/2.8 macro lens was my first E mount lens. I bought it shortly after I got my first A7 camera.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's a great lens.

[@costa4555]

I have done exactly the same! my 90 was the first one because of it great sharpness

[@LiquidTurbo]

Another epic review of a stunner of a lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you!

[@vispolonia2670]

There is also another manual focus mode, when you switch it in camera, much more precise. But I don't use it much. Just dial with clutch and then autofocus with camera moving front and back. Bokeh is swirly, best to avoid patterns in the background.

[@vispolonia2670]

Sry, *focus by moving camera front and back in macro scenario.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Everyone has their own favored macro focusing techniques, but this lens allows you to use most of them!

[@artemisfowl9002]

could you expand on this please, what’s this other manual focus mode? i have this lens but haven’t utilised it to its full potential

[@jimi272]

@@artemisfowl9002 what nobody is telling is that if your clutch is in AF Mode, you can „preset“ your manual focus mode. The ring with the numbers can still be turned in AF mode. Wherever you put it during af mode, if you pull the clutch back, the focus will jump to wherever the markings are on the dial. That way, you can also jump from AF to Manual during filming without having the focus jumping to a closer setting. So for example when AF-focusing to infinity and then willing to change to manual to do a focus pull, you can „preset“ the Manual focus to infinity, then pull the clutch back, then do the manual focus pull…

[@bcgandrewej8]

Great review Dustin. Question. For video work do you feel there is a need for this lens plus the Zeiss 85mm 1.8??

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hmmm, that depends on whether you want/need macro as a part of your video work. If that is a priority, then I would probably choose the 90G over the Batis.

[@paulmakesvideos]

Thanks for this video as well as others you've produced on the Sony Alpha System and compatible lenses. I'm moving from an Olympus M43 system that I've used for years to the Sony and your videos and articles, as well as those of others, have been a big help in making informed decisions.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DjPeterM]

Hi Dustin, thanks for you review! I'm thinking to get the 90mm F2.8 G Macro or the 85mm F1.8. Which one do you think is better? I love portrait photography and there is something inside me that makes me curiosity about macro. Could you give me any advice? Thanks in advance. By the way, my camera body is an A7RIV.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Pedro, if you want to try out macro, the 90mm is going to do a much better job doubling as a portrait lens than the 85mm is going to do doubling as a macro lens.

[@HenryvdVeer]

Nice review thanks alot! Keep up the inspiring work :) I would've found a comparison to the Laowa 100mm f2.8 macro lens interesting. Would be curious how they perform.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Henry, while we all enjoy comparisons, the reality is that I don't have the budget or time to bring in every potential competitor for every lens that I test. I test dozens of products every year.

[@Skandalista_fotograf]

Hi Dustin. Long time no see. I am looking in to macro photography. Can you relate to 50mm 2.8 Macro? I wonder 90mm vs 50mm and if 50mm will have any significant image distortion when close to subject due to spherical characteristics of wide angle lens. I consider 50mm wide angle and have seen distortion in portraits when too close to subject. Forgive silly question I am really a newbie when it come to Macro. Thank you.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't think that I've reviewed the Sony 50mm macro. It's an older lens.

[@crentdaniel3456]

Great Review thanks!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ctoLarssonTECH]

Great review. What would you say the oscillating wobble on the left side of the image is? Is it the Lens OSS wobble, or some kind of IBIS oscillation?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I never figured that out, as I had the lens OSS turned off, and that should turn off IBIS (you lose independent control of IBIS when you have a lens with OSS attached). Something obviously didn't communicate correctly.

[@perspective_guy6804]

Thank you Dustin sir

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@TBBMusicBlog]

I'm curious if you need a macro lens if you have, say, something like the 100-400 GM -- that also has a decent minimum focus distance for "quasi" macro shots. Is it that different? Thanks!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's definitely a different experience with a true macro lens in terms of resolving fine details, though a lens like the 100-400GM does give you a killer working distance and the ability to create some unique shots of its own.

[@arafinutube]

Great review. Would be nice to see a comparison between new sigma 85mm 1.4 vs sony 90mm 2.8 macro.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Asfunar, I'm not sure I follow how that comparison makes a lot of sense. The Sigma is two stops faster maximum aperture but only has a 0.12x magnification. It's not a macro lens in the least, so there is no comparison there. If someone were just shopping for a portrait lens, however, it would make little sense to buy a macro lens specifically for that purpose.

[@arafinutube]

Thanks for your reply Dustin. I love Sigma 85mm. Recently I have developed interest in macro photography. So I was thinking if new Sigma 85mm will cover that area too. But what I am getting from your comment is either I need both of them or go with Sony 2.8 and sacrifice some aperture (and maybe sharpness??)

[@jimi272]

@@arafinutube the 90mm macro is already one of the sharpest out there, don’t know wether you would actually gain sharpness over the sigma😅

[@nihaldevkar3832]

Hi, I am a beginner. I have bought Sony 6100 & Sony 90mm F2. 8 Macro but not able to use it convincingly. Can u plz suggest d settings for dental use(intraoral & extraoral)?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi there - not really my area of expertise. I suspect that you will need to stop the lens down to F8 or so to give you enough depth of field and obviously you'll need plenty of light.

[@giovannilarocca2241]

HELLO DUSTIN I MUST BUY A 50MM OR 35MM FOR MY SONY A7RII, IT MUST BE SMALL, LIGHT, SHARP, MANUAL OR AUTOFOCUS WHAT YOU RECOMMEND ME, I HAVE NO MONEY PROBLEMS.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I like both the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 or the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 for your application.

[@TheChenza05]

In your opinion how does the image quality of this lens compare to the Sigma 85mm DG DN at comparable apertures??

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

They are fairly close. I think the Sigma is slightly sharper, but not by much.

[@TheChenza05]

Dustin Abbott thank you for the response! And nice video as always 👍🏾

[@krzysztofdrozd6971]

Hi! What exactly do you consider as quiet AF? I just bought that lens and I wouldn't call it silent or quiet. In fact I would compare it to Samyang AF 35 mm f/2.8. It has noticeable clicks when starting to autofocus. Is that normal? Or is it possibile I have a faulty copy?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You can hear the sound level of the lens I tested in this review. Test yours in a similar situation for video and see if the sound compares.

[@krzysztofdrozd6971]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for the tip! I tried to do the test and compared to your video. And although I found out it is silent indeed, it's definitely louder from what I hear from the video above. It can be heard easily from the distance of around 0.4 meters from the lens. The question is about circumstances of both tests. For example, if your YT video has the sound altered/muted somehow or is it the same as you play this video test at your computer as it was shot, unedited. And if there are some in camera settings which are different on your and my side, which would make my lens sound louder. Another thing is that the built-in mic is quite sensitive, as on the video test I can hear my breathing far too clearly ;)

[@TheGeocab]

I really like your reviews. I'm going to buy my first interchangeable lens camera this year (as long as things go well of course) and I feel I've been learning a lot just watching your reviews.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Always smart to be informed before you start spending money!

[@santoshmore221]

can I use this lens for documentary videos

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't see why not

[@Pasha4ur]

I have such. Many samples have very noisy motor. In manual mode focus ring range is very small

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Pavel, I've had a lot of owners of the lens chime in, and I don't think I've heard any of them complain about noisy focus. What are you basing that statement on?

[@Pasha4ur]

@@DustinAbbottTWI search in google. You will find a lot of videoproofs on KZbin. My 90 macro produces noise even in manual mode when i change focus

[@gamebuster800]

The footage where you're sitting on that tree trunk is actually making me dizzy - why is it so weirdly shaky? It almost looks like the OSS is broken or something.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's been so long that I don't really remember what the issue was.

[@coolguy79jeffrey]

how is this compared to Sigma 100mm marco?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do draw some comparisons in the Sigma review.

[@najeebbadalandabad8351]

funny how i had the 35mm f2.8 as my starting lens and then got the sony 85mm 1.8 and then sold those for tamron 28-75 and then got a 16-35 f4, then got the tamron 70-180mm and lastly the 100-400 sigma, and sony 35mm 1.8 and a leica q2. so in terms of my sony lens i had to part ways of the 28-75 and the 35 f1.8 to get the q2 cheaper xD and only have the 100-400 and the 16-35f4 for my sony as well as the leica q2. been debating on getting another lens like the sigma 65 f2 or this 90mm or getting my 85 back lol.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It never ends ;)

[@najeebbadalandabad8351]

@@DustinAbbottTWI exactly

[@pzark3638]

What's causing the camera shake ?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I never figured that out. Some firmware glitch, I guess.

[@brentdrafts2290]

Been awhile since having watched a video of yours. The frame of your video flirted with the top of your head a bit much. Else great review.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I agree. That's the challenge of having to do setup and then sit in front of the camera. What appears to be enough headroom doesn't always translate when I step into the frame.

[@K_Tech]

@@DustinAbbottTWI What camera are you using for filming? I think having a fully articulating screen (like a7Siii has) might help in situations like this.

[@daisukevideo]

Macro lens is very interesting! I also have one. I enjoy shooting every day ♬ Thank you for the video! With love from Japan :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome!

[@daisukevideo]

@@DustinAbbottTWI It was very interesting! I subscribed to the channel! Please come visit me on my channel :)

[@snax_4820]

It is the best lens I bought for my Sony ever. The autofocus is a little bit slow.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting. This is actually the fastest focusing macro lens I've ever tested, so I think your expectation may be unrealistic for a macro lens.

[@BGstefchoARS]

Thank you!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@rollingchilling]

nice video. liked and subscribed.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the sub!

[@robgerety]

I wish Canon had a lens like this.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's a solid one, for sure.

[@Las_cacas]

I can't decide between the sony 90mm or Fuji 80mm macro.... thoughts anybody?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's an odd question. Do you shoot both systems?

[@Las_cacas]

@@DustinAbbottTWI 3 systems, Canon, Fuji, Sony. I find that Fuji lenses are lighter and usually better for long days. My Canon DSLR has better option for older lenses. And Sony just flat-out has better image flexibility and post. Was wondering if you knew bang for the buck, which one would be better.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't tested the Fuji 80mm yet, so I can't comment there. I did really like the Sony 90 G, though.

[@vesprecid6229]

Would it perform well in sport photography? Thanks!

[@AdrianChoPhotography]

Vesprecid I have this lens and photograph wildlife. I’d say for sport the AF is a bit slow.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't think this is a top sport choice. Typically a 70-200mm F2.8 is a better choice if sports is your priority.

[@JimiMiki]

Dustin says "Bo-care" instead of bokeh, because he really cares.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do care :)

[@hirschkuh1982]

I bought the lens used for 600 EUR today. I think I will sell my Tokina 85mm 1.8 and my little Samyang AF 75MM 1.8 and keep the Sony

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a great price

[@rroge5]

wow those videos are nice when you change focus and suddenly crisp details come in... its also not common to find another human who cares about the internal workings of optical lenses

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure

[@RobJorg]

not much of a review now is it. 2:25 this lens was introduced in march 2015 not somewhere in 2017. it received a 2015/2016 EISA award. why would you review a 5 1/2 year old lens ? review, keywords, usp, affiliate link below.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Rob, you're right on the release date (I just checked). Why do a review of the lens? Because I've gotten dozens of requests to do so. I review lenses (particularly with my definitive reviews) in a deeper, more thorough way than most other reviewers. I also came to Sony late (in 2017), so when I pick up a new system, I like to review a good number of the existing catalog lenses so that I have a baseline with which to compare to newer releases.

[@schoeferfilm]

I have this lense for my new Sony Fx6 and it is awesome 👏 thanks for the good review 👍🏻 best cinematic greetings from germany 🎞 #filmmakingismypassion

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you enjoy it.

[@schoeferfilm]

@@DustinAbbottTWI 💪🏻 first tests were awesome

[@jimi272]

@@schoeferfilm ​haha es ist wirklich nen super Objektiv zum filmen… Hier noch nen Kommentar den Sie auch interessieren könnte: what nobody is telling is that if your clutch is in AF Mode, you can „preset“ your manual focus mode. The ring with the numbers can still be turned in AF mode. Wherever you put it during af mode, if you pull the clutch back, the focus will jump to wherever the markings are on the dial. That way, you can also jump from AF to Manual during filming without having the focus jumping to a closer setting. So for example when AF-focusing to infinity and then willing to change to manual to do a focus pull, you can „preset“ the Manual focus to infinity, then pull the clutch back, then do the manual focus pull…

[@khiemdoan5832]

Hi Dustin! Great review as usual (y). I don't know if it is just me, or you might did it on purpose, but the intro missed its first second of sound (actually all of your intros), making it a little annoying. Sincerely.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

There can be a bit of lag sometimes. I don't think it is there in the original.

[@kbruff2010]

09/04 thank you for this information

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

A very nice review as usual 👍 (...didn't watch the video yet, just wanted to be one of the first that comments 😁. But I don't think that you'll disappoint at the end)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hopefully I didn't! ;)

[@MarttiSuomivuori]

Batis 40mm removed this feature.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Which feature is that?

[@andreif.2412]

What's with the constant image wobble of yourself talking? It's as if you have the camera on a car engine.

[@mistermadsen]

I agree, looks like the camera is on a tripod which isn´t very sturdy

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That was a weird thing I've never seen before. OSS was turned off on the macro lens, but it still acted like OSS was active.. It wasn't the tripod - I used a high end ROBUS RC-8860 that has a 75 pound weight rating. It doesn't move.