Anyone using the Sony FE 90mm Macro?

[JohnAONeill]

Just received a new Sony FE 90mm Macro today. After reading some good reviews I thought this would be worth adding to my camera bag for product shoots. Initial tests of my lens were a little underwhelming. Tested on some similar scenes with the FE 55mm and the 90mm images seem to be a bit soft in comparison. I know the 55mm is a great lens and perhaps a little unfair to judge against the FE90 but wondering if anyone else has any experience with both lenses? My copy was purchased in the UK and I'm based in Ireland so it's not easy for me to swap the lens to try a differnt copy. Interested in other folks opinions before I ship this one back. I'm shooting on an A7 II body but plan to get the A7RII when released.

Thanks
John

[AlterEgo]

Tested on some similar scenes with the FE 55mm and the 90mm images seem to be a bit soft in comparison.

do you want to describe the protocol (tripod/hand held, exposure time, apertures, etc) and post raw files ? that will be a good bait for relevant people to chime in

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

I have not seen anything I would consider a real test, except some very results at the "Lensrentals" site. The "Lensrental" results had great promise. I am choosing between this and the Batis. I actually have the Batis on order.

The suggestion by AlterEgo that you share some images may help.

Best regards
Erik.

Just received a new Sony FE 90mm Macro today. After reading some good reviews I thought this would be worth adding to my camera bag for product shoots. Initial tests of my lens were a little underwhelming. Tested on some similar scenes with the FE 55mm and the 90mm images seem to be a bit soft in comparison. I know the 55mm is a great lens and perhaps a little unfair to judge against the FE90 but wondering if anyone else has any experience with both lenses? My copy was purchased in the UK and I'm based in Ireland so it's not easy for me to swap the lens to try a differnt copy. Interested in other folks opinions before I ship this one back. I'm shooting on an A7 II body but plan to get the A7RII when released.

Thanks
John

[michael]

Kevin has been testing the new 90mm Macro for the past few weeks and his review will be published here within the next few days.

I haven't read it yet, but based on his comments during a couple of phone calls, he seems very impressed.

Michael

[Kevin Raber]

The review is now published.  I am very impressed with this lens so far.  I believe it will shine on the Sony a7r II.  Looking forward to doing more macro work now that I have a lens for the Sony that performs so well.

Kevin Raber

[Paulo Bizarro]

Kevin, thanks for the write up, it seems like an excellent lens indeed, and a great addition to the FE lens line.

[pegelli]

Here's some examples posted on Dyxum:

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/first-result-fe-90mm-macro-a7mkii-butterflies_topic114196_post1368923.html#1368923

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/my-first-pictures-fe-90mm-macro-28-oss_topic112115_post1351364.html?KW=#1351364

Looks pretty good to me, and fully confirms what Kevin found in his excellent field review.

So John, in case you can't reproduce this quality you've probably got a dud and exchanging it for another might be a good idea. We know from earlier experiences (especially with the FE 35/2.8 and FE 24-70/4) that Sony QC is not always up to snuff.

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the review. I try to choose between this and the Batis 85/1.8. I have the Batis on order, but the 90/2.8 macro may be more useful for my needs. One of my main concerns is that I want to be able to shoot at full aperture and avoid those magenta/green shifts in out of focus areas that sometimes are called Longitudional Chromatic Aberration.

Have you seen any magenta/green fringing at large apertures?

Best regards
Erik

[Kevin Raber]

Erik, No I haven't seen any of what you mention.  I'll look closer at the files though.  The Batis lenses are on the way to us and we will do tests on them also.  I'll say this though, the Sony 35mm and now this 90mm are fine lenses.  I am sure they will shove with the a7r II.

Kevin Raber

[ErikKaffehr]

Thanks a lot!

Erik

Erik, No I haven't seen any of what you mention.  I'll look closer at the files though.  The Batis lenses are on the way to us and we will do tests on them also.  I'll say this though, the Sony 35mm and now this 90mm are fine lenses.  I am sure they will shove with the a7r II.

Kevin Raber

[floyd57]

Also in the UK. I'd agree my copy was soft, plus there was a flexing of the lens barrel if you gripped it just behind the focus ring. Spoke with Sony UK who suggested I returned it for a replacement.

[JohnAONeill]

Here's some examples posted on Dyxum:

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/first-result-fe-90mm-macro-a7mkii-butterflies_topic114196_post1368923.html#1368923

http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/my-first-pictures-fe-90mm-macro-28-oss_topic112115_post1351364.html?KW=#1351364

Looks pretty good to me, and fully confirms what Kevin found in his excellent field review.

So John, in case you can't reproduce this quality you've probably got a dud and exchanging it for another might be a good idea. We know from earlier experiences (especially with the FE 35/2.8 and FE 24-70/4) that Sony QC is not always up to snuff.

Thanks I need to do more critical testing but so far my copy seems to need more unsharp masking than my other FE lenses to make it sharp! Pity really as I had high expectations for this one!

[JohnAONeill]

Thanks Kevin I will take a look at your review now. Just sent you a PM now. Would you mind sending me a sample raw from one of your test shots? A side by side comparison should help me quickly evaluate my copy!

Best regards
John

[JohnAONeill]

Hi Kevin,

Did you get my PM regarding a sample raw?

Kind regards
John