Customer Reviews

Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love this lens! It hasn't come off my A100 DSLR since it arrived. I have had it about a month and shot over 3000 images learning all aspects of this superb optic. It is sharp, shockingly sharp! Until now I was using my 18-70 mm and 75-300 zooms with and without close up filters. Mostly good close up shots and occasionally a real nice sharp close up. The 100mm f2.8 is in another league. I have been in photography since 1968, and this lens once again proves my theory and gut feel that fixed focal length prime lenses are still king of resolution. My shots of flowers and bees are the best ever. For the first time I can now see in my digital images just how messy bees are with pollen! Oh, and let's not forget the color. The color is intense in every image. Warning: This is a demanding lens. So first and foremost read the instructions on how to use the "focus limiter." This is a must. It will speed up focusing for all uses, including macro, scenes, architecture, and general photography. Also realize that this is a telephoto lens with extreme close focusing. As a result, especially for close ups, the depth of field is extremely shallow when using f2.8 and similar f-stops. This is an optical law, not a defect, so use it to your advantage by planning shots requiring selective focus. By following these tips, taking many shots to learn about the lens, and if this is your first prime lens, you will be ushered into a new level of digital photography performance. PS: Amazon was fast and reliable in shipping my 100mm f2.8 macro.

Your rating: 5 stars
Headline: This camera lens is awesome!

Pros : Durable, Sharp Focus, Easy To Clean, Lightweight, Easily Interchangeable
Cons : NONE
Best Uses : Wildlife, Sports/Action, Portraits, Macro and portraits, Upgrade
Describe Yourself : Semi-Professional

I only use this lens when the shot counts. My site has 10,000 shots primarily with this macro lens.
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I used in over 100 pictures of flowers and orchids. I was very pleased to see the excelent quality of the pictures.

I am sure that there is a better lens than this one, but not for the money this one costs. This lens took outstanding photos it is as sharp as they come, easy to use, light weight and a joy to use. I would recommend this lens to anyone. I am using it on my Alpha 850.

This is my first macro lens and I love it the results are above what I imagined and I am enjoying the results, Its functions are easy and user friendly, I can only get better with this lens on my camera.

While the 50mm macro is cheaper and lighter (and sharper), the 100mm allows you to have a greater working distance between the lens and the subject, which makes lighting easier. For full 1:1 magnification, the working distance is over 6", compared to just under 2" for the 50mm lens. It is much less awkward to use, and not as invasive into the space of your subjects, which might be inclined to fly or crawl away. Moreover, the 100mm focal length is better for portraits, where this lens also serves admirably, with a smooth bokeh (background blur). It is lacking a little bit in sharpness at the widest apertures, but that cleans up in the mid-range. I'd been eyeing this lens for a while, and finally found one on this site used, for a nice discount. Definitely a keeper.

I dont like to do review but in this case I have to do it, this lens is just amaizing you will discover another world

Arrived in good order and after using it for several hours in one day I can report no problems and it functioned well. The kit lens that came with the camera was good for the Sony A350, but this lens enhances the camera's utility and effectiveness greatly.

For portraits and flowers it's a great lens.

But for small insects, like plume moths, it's terrible!

- With auto-focus the lens is always searching for the moth...

- With manual focus, everything is out of focus!

I have to take several shots for 1 to be good!