Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens review

A beautiful portrait lens...if f/2.8 is bright enough for you, that is.
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All pictures taken by me on Sony a7R III and a5100 cameras.
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Music: 'Opportunity Walks', Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
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[@tenns]

I have to say, i have ALWAYS LOVED your narration style, and that intro is chef's kiss

[@Skipsul]

Glad you're reviewing this, one of my favorite portrait lenses!

[@Skipsul]

Apodizing is a form of noise reduction in signals. More often used in RF work, or other signals work, but wonderful to see applied to optics. The apodizing element here is essentially attenuating noise transmission in the form of light rays that wouldn't pass through the focal point and resolve into anything - bokeh being a more modern (and more poetic sounding) word that replaces "Zone of confusion" when discussing over or under-correction. I suspect the autofocus slowness too is due to the age of this lens - it's one of the oldest in Sony's lineup. Definitely a specialist lens, but I have to say that I find 100mm to be a marvelous focal length for a lot of other work too, a real sweet spot between 135 and 85.

[@AWAShowme]

This is great insight! Thanks. How do you know so much about this?

[@maggnet4829]

The Canon 85mm f1.2 DS is quite snappy. Thus, I agree with your assumption that the issue is likely more the older focus motors.

[@stefan_becker]

I also love 100mm for portrait work. Unfortunately the only available 105mm f1.4 lens for Sony E is huge and heavy (the Sigma 105mm f1.4 DG HSM). The Nikon F 105mm f1.4 AF-S shows that these lenses can also be built a lot smaller. I'm waiting for such a smaller lens for Sony E already for quite some time (sigh).

[@Skipsul]

@ I work with engineers all the time. Apodization of signals is an old technique - basically means "removing the foot". My father (an electrical engineer) calls it "adding extra noise to remove other noise".

[@Skipsul]

@ Having used both, if you can deal with the lower light transmission, I think the rendering of the Sony, despite being having a deeper DOF, gives a better result. The STF means "smooth transmission focus" and has less to do with the bokeh than with the clean and smooth transition from in-focus to out-of-focus areas. This lets you shoot even in trickier backgrounds without having to blow everything out by going to 1.4, and thus having a too-jarring transition from subject to background mush you can sometimes get.

[@Yayadays111]

I pretty much got into the full frame Sony system years ago just for this lense. images are always so unique, and 100mm with close focus abilities make it worth bringing out more often than not. The 100mm f2.8 doesn't melt everything away but it's kinda the charm as well

[@Noparticularcontext]

One of the best lenses I’ve ever used, such a unique look to the images. This lens lives on my camera

[@AeroFluxe]

It is a lens that challenges you depending on the lighting situation. But the result you get in depth of field is what always leaves me with a satisfaction in sight. At first I thought it was a risk to invest in the lens, but after mastering it, it is one of the lenses I use the most on my a7RII. Of course, not everyone will like it because of the lack of versatility and what I want to use it for.

[@Adogcallednoortje]

Smart to put IS in there to compensate for slower shutter speeds.

[@MatWeb1]

Hey Christopher, thank you for this review. I'm a big fan of all your Sony reviews. This lens is on the older site in the sony lens line up and i think more like an underdog. I bought it 4 years ago and it was my first g master lens. I still love this lens for portrait and even if you want go on a hike a can recommend it because of it's weight compered to other portrait primes and it's ballance too. It makes photgraphing very easy on bright daylight situations and outdoor senarios. For indoor or bad light situation i can recommend the Sony FE 135mm 1.8. The AF is lower compared to the 135 and the 135 is slightly sharper, but a lot havier and the bokeh is more cat eyeish. The AF is faster compared to the 90mm 2.8 Macro or 50mm 1.2 GM. I don't know how better the 85 GM 1.4 II is, which I have to test in a couple of days. Many words short story - I can highly recommend it.

[@analogdesigner-Jay]

Excellent review and explanation!

[@Danny-ke1fx]

So surprised to see such a pens be reviewed only just now. I love mine and have used it in more than portrait scenarios. The coose focus mode is great and with the correct lighting allows for wome incredible sharp, flat imagery.

[@aelizzard495]

In the Time where I was changend from Canon to Sony, was this great Lens one of my first in my Bag. I love the smooth Bokeh and the possibility to make some nice close-ups. Thank You for the Review.

[@ChristofferNelsonG]

Had to go back and watch your Samyang 100/2.8 video. Firstly, 9 years and Mrs Frost looks unchanged! Secondly, watching that again, with its awesome macro and soft bokeh (and the fact I will never shoot AF), I have decided the Samyang will be my next tele, instead of any 85 or 135mm. Still think (after over a decade) that Samyang has made really stellar manual optics in the modern age. It almost broke my heart when they went AF. Cheers.

[@attenia]

Aaaaawww for a second I saw only X00mm and filled it with 500mm and thought woooo the TTArtisan 500mm f6.3 would be reviewed! Welp. Another time maybe :D Thanks for making the review for this lens though! Always glad to see you making another video :D

[@urbanie]

Thank you so much Chris! I knew you wouldn't disappoint 😉

[@dixinggao7178]

Reg. AF technology: DSLRs have dedicated PD sensors, which are illuminated by light reflecting off of a secondary mirror. These sensors will not function when the mirror is up. Most DSLRs in LV mode use solely contrast AF (which does not require specialized hardware), with the exception of some later Canon models, whose sensors have PD capabilities. Modern MLICs sensors, with few exceptions, have PD capabilities. MLIC AF systems can use either one (e.g. Nikon's pinpoint is CAF only, AF-C in most cameras are PDAF only), or both (e.g. Sony's AF-S)

[@julianpaxton5750]

Nice video. My home patch. I've taken similar shots of Dolphin Rock many times. Different mood, light, waves every day. Endless fun. I didn't know it is called Dolphin rock though, so thanks.

[@ondrejkratochvil4589]

yes, it's pretty specialized lens, and i was close to getting it couple of times, but i've resisted so far :)

[@yourtallness]

Quite a versatile lens with its macro switch. But T/5.6 is the darkest of all apodized lenses and f/2.8 is also on the low end compared to the Laowa & Canon.

[@atselykovskiy]

If you test stabilization on A7R III, you show an effect of both sensor-shift stabilization in camera and optical stabilization in lens

[@Varosphotos]

I’ve got this lens and it’s one of my favorites. Definitely unique

[@PacoM.]

Never caught one of your videos this early.

[@PhotoArtBrussels]

Christopher, in your reviews you mention the materials lenses are made of. I do not know if it is intentional, you sound disappointed with polymers or maybe consider polymers / plastics as inferior to metals. Maybe you can have a conversation with some mater specialists to frame the different materials and their advantages and disadvantages; in the use cases that interest you. We know that polymers do not shrink or expand with temperature, making a material that is stable in most environments. Polymers are also engineered to absorb energy more easy then metals can, for example bending, bursting when dropped, Most polymers do not react with the environment like acids, oxidizers, water, etc. Often polymers are lighter then metals for a similar performance. Polymers are engineered so not to require lubrication, something that is possible with metals like bronze or brass at the cost of weight, machining time and material cost.

[@isthsm]

Bumping this, I wish more people would address the stigma against plastics. Only advantage I can think of (off the top of my head) is metal is easier to recycle. Maybe people think metal dinging/denting instead of cracking makes it more resilient, but I imagine optics could still get decentered and other precision components damaged even if the metal chassis/housing/lens body is fine. Not all plastics are equal though I’ll concede, not all are gonna be high performance. It’s a shame I don’t really know of anyone who does camera and lens durability testing

[@photoyed]

Thanks for this review, as well as all the others. He would you compare bokeh smoothness between this lens and the Canon 85 f/1.2 DS?

[@Daniel_Borisov]

Hi Chris! I can see the Sigma RF 16mm 1.4 available at Jessops and Clifton. It's awaiting stock ETA January at Camera World. Is this real?! 😮 I sure hope it is but I was expecting embargo to be followed. Sorry for the off topic here!

[@birbs4life174]

Love that Dracula intro

[@isthsm]

Laowa should rerelease/redesign their 105mm f/2 for mirroless. Just as good for a third to half the price, maybe with AF this time.

[@nicedward7544]

Bring back the Laowa 105 stf adapted to Gfx or Sony...

[@isthsm]

Yes!! I want Laowa to make a mirrorless comeback, they made some very interesting designs but not the point of being gimmicks, still quality stuff

[@flippe555]

Agreed, and this time L-mount as well 😊

[@MysterDaftGame]

My local camera shop has had one for ages. I wonder if they will ever sell it

[@stefan_becker]

In my opinion it's too slow for most people. Fuji and Canon show that faster apodization lenses are possible.

[@McMaxW]

Have you tried the Sony 50mm f2.8 Macro?

[@christopherfrost]

Funny you should ask - I'm testing one at the moment. It will come out soon on early access for Patrons, then later this year on the main channel

[@McMaxW]

@ great to know! Thanks for taking the time to answer.

[@TheMetalButcher]

T5.6 is slightly unfortunate, but everything else about this lens is amazing!

[@AWAShowme]

Thanks for the review. I wonder how this compares to the 90 mm f2.8 macro Sony lens.

[@rhalfik]

It's two stops slower. It's all you need to know.

[@stefan_becker]

Of course the bokeh of the STF lens is _much_ smoother. The Sony 90mm f2.8 isn't famous for great bokeh and its sharpness wide open at infinity isn't that great either. What's cool is the AF/MF switch of the Sony that is integrated in the focus ring. But I would recommend the Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN as it's sharper and has better bokeh than the Sony 90mm f2.8. The STF lens is a speciality lens and at T5.6 just too slow for general usage.

[@Skipsul]

Different applications. The apodizing element of the STF is for clean and gradual transition from in focus zones to out of focus zones, which lets you get a sharp subject, let the background fade away, without turning it to mush. The 90mm macro is OK as a portrait lens if you can control the background, but is less flattering, especially if you can't control the background.

[@AWAShowme]

@@Skipsul Interesting. I get it. Thanks.

[@AWAShowme]

@@stefan_becker Thanks! I do like that clutch mf/af ring on the 90mm. That sigma is also a good alternative.

[@iransirijillo]

This lens is found used surprisingly low at around $850 in the US of A

[@GaricsPeter]

That Sims 1 music at the end tho...

[@jukeboxjohnnie]

Hmm.. got the 85 and 135mm don’t think I’ll bother

[@killpop8255]

Lol! What with the "Gooooood eeeevening"? 😅

[@kla631]

England.

[@christopherfrost]

Hitchcock

[@panmaew]

Rather weak LoCA seems to be the only real weakness of this lens otherwise the full image circle sharpness on the in-focus plane and the wonderfully creamy foreground and background can hardly be matched by any portrait lens with conventional optics.

[@lorest14]

We are really looking forward to fujifilm 16-55 2.8 m2

[@Dusmar]

plz Chris, you know daddy needs a 16-28mm RF f2.8 review

[@LucasCreativeTech]

My Lumix 100mm 2.8 macro is smaller and doesnt have that obvious focus breathing.

[@Pozi_Drive]

Nikon had their af dc 135mm 2.0 lens in 1990

[@christopherfrost]

That's a different concept from APD / STF technology

[@Pozi_Drive]

@@christopherfrost the effects are similar.

[@casualcoffeeshooter]

I must admit that performance of this lens in contour/rim lighting is almost horrific, not even “average” as Arthur says

[@keshhh]

Interesting lens and I'm sure it appeals to some... but to me it looks like a lens completely devoid of any character! The images it produces look like AI!

[@AlphaCygni]

First!

[@jcphenix1]

I'm one of this bokeh lover who don't like the APD bokeh. It's like a glass of water. YMMV.

[@stefanbadass5357]

If this was a Fuji lens, the autofocus would have been panned. But, because its a Sony ALL GOOD!

[@adebrian1737]

Waste of money. I'll get the sigma 105 f1.4 for a similar price

[@hansfijlstra5932]

Your wife is absolutely right of course. But why bother with bokeh? Nobody is interested in bokeh when looking at a picture of your lovely wife! Every portrait picture of here makes my day 😊…

[@mathieucaron4957]

At f/1.8 it would have been bigger but more interesting 🫤