Sony 90mm f2.8 MACRO G OSS - Still THE BEST macro lens in 2022

[@PavSZ]

are you on Sony or Sigma macro team?

[@JacopoDiGiuli]

SIGMA team in this case (if the price difference is more than 150-200 dollars/euros)

[@CamperIV]

Sony :D

[@88Nick8]

Sony Sony Sonyyyyy!

[@gauravonguitars]

Both can’t do 2:1 magnification

[@ipadize]

Sony, but i want a Laowa 25mm 5x macro

[@Ithaca51]

I love how many photo examples you provided. Thank you for that.

[@PavSZ]

My pleasure! Thank you!

[@spacebumps.]

Love the way you say Focus, great review as well. Thanks!

[@PavSZ]

Thanks for watching!

[@joaquinmartinez2046]

I have had this lends for 2 years now And as i got busy with work i slowed down on my side hobby photography, i consider myself intermediate because i have alot to learn but know my editing and photography well but having said that this lends is immaculate! This is insane sharp and the possibilities are endless when i go hiking or wild life this is my to go lends up close and far away its the sharpest lens i own. I love it.

[@PavSZ]

It's amazing how long time ago this lens has come out and well it is still going. They've nailed it. I love mine

[@WU_Foto]

I use the 90mm sony on A7R3 and A6500. With APS/C you have better sharpness from Front to back. I love this lens 😍

[@JavierCastilloSuazo]

Outstanding review and pictures! 🙌

[@PavSZ]

Thank you kindly!

[@stevenpitts6290]

Great review man. Really appreciate ur videos

[@PavSZ]

Glad you like them! Thank you for watching

[@goodvibeslovin]

Great video! It had all the information i needed **bonus for actual photos taken with camera**

[@PavSZ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kpmonaghan]

As always, great video!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JohnDennery]

Seeing that the Sigma is newer and cheaper, I just assumed it was the winner, but boy did you make a strong case for this one! I really wish all lenses had hard focus stops at mfd and infinity, that's super helpful. I NEVER use my 85 1.8 because the mfd is so terrible, this could be a great and more versatile alternative for sure. As always, your reviews are the best because they contain so many inspiring images that make me want to get out and shoot! Thank you so much!

[@PavSZ]

This is exactly my point - you pay more for these extra features. Not important to everyone but for some they are game changing. I always try to get as many sample images in my reviews for people make their own mind about the quality these lenses deliver, regardless of what I am saying or my opinion. Thank you for watching!

[@gbwalther3198]

Have u used this lens for 35mm and/or 120mm slide copy work? If so, have u happened to use Negative Supply riser and slide holder products? If so, how did it go? Were the copy slides sharp? Any particulars would be appreciated. 😎😎

[@PavSZ]

I don't have any experience photographing 35mm or slide negatives with it. Theoretically it should work well and the sharpness will greatly depend on your manual focusing skills and accuracy

[@sethviews]

For more video shooting would you recommend this or another option for a macro??

[@PavSZ]

for any macro video shooting I'd certainly use only manual focusing and if that's the case there is lots of other options available. It will eventually come down to your own personal preference and budget

[@KimwellH]

Thanks for the review man! helps me decide

[@PavSZ]

Glad I could help!

[@JobGreg]

Nice review. You really make a case. Have you tried the Venus Laowa 90mm f/2.8 2x

[@PavSZ]

Thanks! Not yet. I have plans to review it sometime next year

[@modernmusicstudio303]

Great video! Truly impressive shots!

[@PavSZ]

Thanks a lot!

[@Gari.Hughes]

Just bought a used one of these for under £500. Just waiting on the postman! I had the tamron 90mm a mount. Was fun learning about macro.

[@PavSZ]

Nice one!

[@earthgraduate726]

Does the camera body matter with that lens ? full frame or cropped? I'm asking this because I'm looking for a sharp versatile lens that can do the job from food to street photography on a cropped camera .

[@PavSZ]

it is a full frame lens. It will be about 135mm equivalent though. Certainly OK for macro but it might be a little bit more challenging in some street photography situations

[@PavSZ]

also, as with all macro lenses, the focus has got long way to travel and it might seem slow sometimes

[@ChristopherMaxwellArt]

Very Informative and entertaining 😉💙

[@PavSZ]

thank you!

[@wholeinthesoul7925]

Great review, great images

[@PavSZ]

Many thanks!

[@MBDronePhoto]

Pick the eye boogers on the feline! Thanks for the review. Got one coming for product and coin photography. Also, other macro applications.

[@PavSZ]

you obviously never had a cat. These stop the eyes from tearing. Removing them makes cats eyes water uncontrollably

[@Xzvsc]

Going to get macro lens for my a7cii (also do portraits of human/animal). Is it still the best option in 2024? I need AF too

[@janole_reeck4850]

Very good and informative Video! I think i'll get this one for product videography. Thanks for the Video!

[@PavSZ]

Thank you for watching!

[@jasperkarter794]

@@PavSZ Pav, love your videos, CAN you tell me if this is lens is suitable for product videography? Same idea as the original commenter.. I am really struggling to choose!

[@PavSZ]

@@jasperkarter794 thank you! It is but you have to bare in mind that it is not the fastest AF lens out there

[@jasperkarter794]

@@PavSZ So which camera would you recommend above this one for incredible AF? I need something to be be able to grab the focus of for instance throwing a bunch of small objects in the air into frame, and for the AF to catch the focus of all those objects as they fly up and back down. Using an A7S3

[@PavSZ]

@@jasperkarter794 what you are asking for is beyond capabilities of any camera that I know of. a7sIII will try to do a good job but I'd use manual focus for something like this

[@zatochkanozhey]

A very cool lens. I also use it when I take portraits, because I don't think that 85GM is a step forward compared to 90mm.

[@TheExtraordinaryEverydayLife]

Will you be doing a comparison review with the new Laowa 90mm 2X? Love the pictures!!❤️

[@PavSZ]

maybe ....

[@TheExtraordinaryEverydayLife]

@@PavSZ well thank you for considering! And i do hope that you'll keep updating the macro world of lenses and comparisons because I love it ❤️ And yes thank you for the reply 👍

[@wildlifehouse]

Can the Sony 90mm can be used with the Sony FX30 for macro videography? Thanks!

[@PavSZ]

Yes, absolutely

[@wildlifehouse]

@@PavSZ thank you for confirming!

[@gitithadani]

Am on both sigma sony teams but the sigma macro lenses that I use are from the slr era. I have the 105/2.8 & 180/5.6 apo sigma - both 400+ grams & very sharp on the sony a7r4. I tend to use the 180 a lot for certain kinds of mf macro. The sony 90mm macro in contrast has AF & on the later sony bodies it is very good - particularly if one uses the focus limiter or DMF. The original sigma 105 has also the same clutch system but those motors then were loud and clunky (nikon f mount) The difference with the sony lens is that it is versatile - excellent at all distances so I can use it for landscape - design - architecture detail - sculpture and macro. It is a very ergonomic lens - more so than the new sigma - also with OSS. New in India it is 700$ (incuding taxes 18%) whereas the sigma is over a 1000$. Being an older lens one can pick up a good used version much cheaper.

[@PavSZ]

thanks for sharing this! New Sigma 105mm has got not image stabilisation

[@halimrahman]

You mentioned cropping... Have you tried with Raynox DCR-250 to get an even closer/larger?

[@PavSZ]

I have tried some of these macro filters before and they do get you a little bit closer but the quality degradation is very visible - especially around the edges

[@halimrahman]

@@PavSZ the quality degradation is not something that has been discussed by other youtubers. I bought DCR-250 and i notice that some of the images come out quite nice and some can have barrel distortion. But it is easier to work with compared to the extension tube.

[@NiftyFiftyPhotographers]

Thanks for the great video Pav. I have had the same lens for a couple of years and its one of my favourites! I seem to use it more as a prime not a macro although I did buy for its macro capability. Great review.

[@PavSZ]

Thanks for sharing. I love shooting portrait with it. So sharp!

[@DrClumber]

Great video. I am discovering photography as a hobby and my very old A200/Tamron 70-300 (Macro capable) combo lives strong in my memory. I am very tempted to get this lens or the Sigma... I have a 35, 55 and the 200-600 and this would fill a big gap. Just wondering if I should upgrade my body first as I am still using the original A7 and that is not great with the 200-600 due to poor autofocus.

[@PavSZ]

I think you should update the camera first. It's a HUGE difference with what and how they do things now

[@marios739]

great video thank you

[@PavSZ]

Thank you for watching

[@Monuments_to_Good_Intentions]

Have you tried this with a extension tube?

[@PavSZ]

no. this creates super shallow field of view as is. It would be ridiculous with even more magnification

[@marclabro]

nice presentation. Do you mean that AF is slow for portrait, macro,... ? What about the new STF model ? Coming from Z6II+Z MC 105, I hesitate, due to poor AF eye detection, to switch to a7m4+sony macro lens

[@PavSZ]

the AF is only slow when the lens has to go from macro to infinity or the other way round. The same with ALL macro lenses, the focus travel is very long. Once you are in the right range it is working very well and fast

[@eclectic1234]

great review, new subscriber

[@PavSZ]

Awesome, thank you!

[@UndergroundCultIndia]

Amazing content!

[@PavSZ]

Appreciate it!

[@raysanders332]

What did you compare the Sony with?

[@PavSZ]

the only other auto focusing macro lens for Sony-E: Sigma 105mm kzbin.info/www/bejne/oILCZmWDrbV2bqc

[@troyclements806]

Will this work with the olympus pen epl8?

[@PavSZ]

no, it will only work with Sony-E mount cameras

[@midou9260]

I also have both and trying to sell one of them. SIGMA has the aperture ring and 105mm is very nice for portraits especially exterior. However the ergonomic of the Sony is largely better especially for Macro...I think the Sony deserves 150 euros extra overall (Macro plus portrait) :)

[@PavSZ]

yes, that's my point to and that's why I use Sony more

[@MarcelVolker]

I went for the Sony over the Sigma, second hand same price as the Sigma new. That clutch & MF mechanism won it for me (coming from the Tamron 90mm SP which uses it too). It makes getting the shot you want sooo much easier. Love the lens. One strength is pet portraits - it gets closer than your usual 85mm (~90cm MFD) or 50mm (50cm MFD) lenses which really helps. Got some amazing cat shots of my friend's cats, with animal eye AF.

[@PavSZ]

good choice!

[@Lucas85P]

Need it to A7riv ! Thanks for this video Pav.

[@PavSZ]

Great lens! Thank you for watching

[@Dave-ht7dx]

Sample macro shots are not exceptional in composition or sharpness, though remarks are very useful, informative. Thanks.

[@PavSZ]

thank you so much!

[@hjones451]

This lens zooms in for great close-ups, then when you take the image, it zooms out and produces a more distant photo - Why? Will reducing the focus range solve that issue?

[@PavSZ]

It sounds like you are doing something wrong in camera. This lens doesn't zoom. You should see through the camera the exact focal length of this lens

[@hjones451]

@@PavSZ Perhaps the word zoom is confusing - It focusses beautifully, then produces an image which isn't as close as you see through the lens.

[@PavSZ]

@@hjones451 you are doing something wrong. It should be exactly the same through the lens. You should see the actual focal length through the camera. You might have a manual focusing magnification switched on

[@hjones451]

@@PavSZ okay thanks, there's something not right - I will try to change this in the menu

[@hjones451]

Although the Manual Magnification failed to confirm it was turned off, my Sony a6000 is no longer jumping out of focus - Thank you for pointing in the right direction - This is making life much easier when using the 90mm macro - Cheers H

[@Rabe1907]

Best lens ever ! ❤

[@PavSZ]

it is still amazing

[@EddylineScratchers]

How do you use the manual option. Everything I focus with manual nd ti zooms in, when I go to take th picture it zooms right back out.

[@PavSZ]

I don't know what you mean. I use combination of enlarging the preview and focus peaking to manually nail it.

[@alexandrah.4244]

Do you think the Sigma 105mm 2.8 is better than the Sony 90mm ?

[@PavSZ]

I have compared them side by side awhile ago kzbin.info/www/bejne/oILCZmWDrbV2bqc

[@alexandrah.4244]

@@PavSZ Thank you very much 👍 I have the Sony Lens and i donˋt change it with the Sigma .

[@aboseaf]

Is there any news about new version of macro lens from Sony ?

[@PavSZ]

as I said in my video - Sony doesn't need to update this - nothing wrong with it

[@aboseaf]

@@PavSZ Thanks

[@sergiodmota]

Can I use it on Sony a6400?

[@PavSZ]

yes

[@ADNZ5442]

Is banding normal on the A7IV with lights in low light? Bands badly around 200-300 shutter speed, and is only usable around 80 shutter speed.

[@PavSZ]

That's normal with all cameras. Make sure that your camera is in the right region for your country (NTSC or PAL) and use correct shutter speeds for that region. I guess that you are referring to banding visible in video - always use double the shutter speed or your frame rate. (60fps - 1/120 shutter speed)

[@ADNZ5442]

@@PavSZ thanks for the help! Appreciate it. It was for photography

[@7743dustin]

Would this be good for a first lens for a7iv? I I’m coming from canon

[@PavSZ]

Maybe, it depends on what you intend to shoot with it

[@_comrade_8358]

This is just a dream .

[@PavSZ]

great lens

[@jjspencer1490]

Do you know if this lens will work with a Sony Nex-7?

[@PavSZ]

oh, I am not sure

[@TheFlatfoot66]

Because it is 7 years....... but you said no need for mark 2!!! so I bought one now!

[@PavSZ]

good choice. I love mine

[@360Tinyplanet]

This is fulframe lens can I use for mirrorless camera?

[@PavSZ]

this is a lens for mirrorless Sony cameras only

[@jbello9398]

I have this lens and love it! I actually got it new but with a $300 discount trade-in from old canon lenses 😁

[@PavSZ]

Nice! Amazing lens

[@fabiolee]

I love this lens, the only downsides its a bit heavy

[@PavSZ]

it's not too heavy for its size. It could be worse

[@Greyjayjay]

Seems like a decent lens. I'm looking atbgetting my first Macro and think this might be a great option. Nice t-shirt, made me laugh. 😂

[@yvesleroy5740]

Mine stopped working suddenly ... Seems issue with this lens is frequent ... Be aware of that

[@PavSZ]

interesting. This is the first time I've heard about these being faulty. Mine is build like a tank

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thanks!

[@PavSZ]

Thanks

[@Techlife99days]

Thanks you

[@PavSZ]

Thank you too!

[@samoanboa]

Excellent overview

[@PavSZ]

thank you so much!

[@Valleedbrume]

It’s just a great lens,the best I could fine for my Sony

[@PavSZ]

it totally is

[@robertsaca3512]

Teal and orange lighting, still the best a KZbinr can do.

[@_w.w._]

Oké Karen

[@tdawg719]

Has anyone done sharpness test on it? Does it get sharper stopped down? Like f/9?

[@PavSZ]

yes but at macro magnifications, smaller aperture has only marginal impact on depth of field

[@omnymisa]

I want that lens!

[@PavSZ]

yes! me too

[@karlmaxweber]

Is this best and sharpest Sony lens for product photography?

[@PavSZ]

Maybe. It is sharp and you can shoot products with it but it's not for everyone and it is not for all kind of products.

[@JacopoDiGiuli]

I bought a few months ago the Sigma 105mm DG DN Art 2.8 Macro for 560 euros on Amazon (final price including taxes)... I think I got one of the best deals of my life! I'm convinced of one thing: if you can find the Sigma at around this price (600 dollars), it's the best value for money!

[@PavSZ]

yes, true but you could get this lens for that kind of money too - used of course

[@JacopoDiGiuli]

@@PavSZ Right.. but if the price is similar, i prefer a new lens instead of used one 😅 I think that the only really pros of the Sony is the OSS on the lens... but if the price difference between the two lenses is more than 200 dollars/euros, i think that the Sigma is the better choice!

[@MarcelVolker]

@@JacopoDiGiuli Hmm for me it's if the price is similar, I prefer the Sony over the Sigma ;). I think the focusing mechanism is underrated by anyone who hasn't used it. It just doesn't show on spec sheets. But to each their own, that's why choice is great on the Sony system 👍

[@JacopoDiGiuli]

@@MarcelVolker Definitely... at a similar price, better to take the Sony there is no doubt, but nowadays, usually (at least here by me in Italy, in online stores like Amazon), the SIGMA 105 DG DN Art costs on average 300 euros less than the Sony 90 Macro, and with this difference, for me, it is better to take the Sigma since this lens has a better image quality and is tropicalized. Then of course, if you find the two lenses with 50 maximum 100 euros difference, then better go for the Sony!

[@keepcoding1]

I got the Sony for less than 600€ new, so not much reason to get the Sigma I guess...

[@TerraThink]

Great video! Would be cool if you could also review the new Canon RF 100mm Macro that has 1.4x magnification. How big of a difference is there between 1x vs 1.4x, and how much difference does it make that the Canon lens is newer?

[@PavSZ]

I might be doing that review sometime soon

[@TerraThink]

@@PavSZ Would be awesome!

[@CamperIV]

I loved the lens, for MACRO yes. But I ultimtely sold it and replaced with 85mm 1.4 because I shoot way more at night and portraits and creative shots than actual macro photography, so for me it wasnt worth it. The f2.8 wasnt good enough for me at night and it does require a tripod sometimes. And the bokeh quality was pretty disappointing with the 90mm, bokeh balls are very ugly looking with weird onion texture and overall it's not very "premium" feeling, I expected more for this price. Sure once you're zoomed in at macro levels, the bokeh is beautiful but zoomed out it's disappointing.

[@PavSZ]

It's not for everyone, for sure. It is a macro lens after all and the f2.8 could be limiting sometimes

[@warpspeed9877]

Νο. The Sigma 105/2.8 macro is.

[@PavSZ]

it would be if it had pull/push focus clutch like this one

[@Ansonandco]

First!!! If you get a ton more subs, this is going to be harder and harder hahaha

[@PavSZ]

haha I know!

[@Alexander0189]

Just got one from Park Cameras for £469 - bargain 😎

[@PavSZ]

NICE!

[@steventan7543]

Try laowa 100 mm 😍

[@PavSZ]

I have and I'm not a huge fan. I might review it one day. Here in this video I am talking about a lens that is more than just a macro, the auto focusing of the Sony lens makes it that bit more all rounder than Laowa

[@RickMentore]

This is a fantastic lens, I use it mainly for portraits, jewelry and wedding related accessories but I will be selling. Its just too difficult to focus! I must however say when I manage to get focus the result is outstanding. It is not the best focusing Sony macro lens, there is an outstanding APSC 32mm macro.

[@PavSZ]

I have to disagree. This is the best Sony macro auto focusing lens there is. As I have mentioned in my video, this will be exactly the. same with all macro lenses, the focus travel from macro to infinity is very long, this is what causes for the focus to hunt sometimes. Not a problem, at all if you take it to consideration and work with it. Use combination of manual and AF to get seamless and reliable performance with it

[@RickMentore]

@@PavSZ I find your videos inspirational, went on a binge last eve on your channel. The lens I was referring to as faster focusing is the E 30 mm F3.5 Macro APS-C Standard Macro Prime Lens. The image quality is not on par with the 90mm but the image quality is solid and it is faster focusing. I was looking to upgrade to the Sony 7IV or switch to the Panasonic S5 or the new Fujifilm XH II S. Have you tried the new Fuji XH, I love to get your take on that camera. I appreciate your insight on photography, thanks for responding!

[@PavSZ]

@@RickMentore Thank you very much! I had no chance to try the Fuji camera yet

[@LukaszKlim-ge9xx]

Voigtlander 110mm F2.5 is much better

[@PavSZ]

but is it? It does not auto focus when you want to use a lens for anything else but macro

[@LukaszKlim-ge9xx]

@@PavSZ Voigtlander lenses for Sony E have electronic contacts, so you have access to focus peaking

[@kyleeddy7033]

Just bought one about a month ago!

[@PavSZ]

Nice one!

[@artopullinen1529]

But OM-System 90 mm f3.5 macro is THE BEST in 2024 and in future

[@PavSZ]

can I use it on Sony?

[@biosphere-trip]

Olympus 60mm is better that it, Olympus 90mm is more and more better)

[@PavSZ]

maybe but .... can I use it on a Sony camera?

[@biosphere-trip]

@@PavSZ Sorry, I'm afraid not. But these are really the best macro lenses, in my opinion.

[@raysanders332]

Laowa.

[@PavSZ]

questionable

[@andrewsavage9104]

That shirt is embarrassing. -500 likes

[@PavSZ]

really embarrassing

[@avbsvisuals3704]

If you buy sigma you broke

[@PavSZ]

Not so sure about it. Sigma is a great lens in its own right

[@pnwmv]

Laowa 100mm macro for the win

[@PavSZ]

yeah, but can I auto focus with it when I want to shoot some portrait photography or video?