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Technical Details
- Brand Name: Sony
- Model: SEL30M35
- Lens Type: fixed
- Maximum focal length: 30 millimeters
Product Details
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Product Description
From the Manufacturer
Exceptionally portable and versatile for everyday use
Minimum working distance of only 2.4cm with 1.1 magnification
Simple, compact 6-group 7-element lens
High-quality aluminum alloy construction for maximum durability
Internal stepping motor and Rear-focusing design for video capture
Smooth Manual Focusing w/ DMF
Circular Aperture for beautiful defocusing of backgrounds
Minimum working distance of only 2.4cm with 1.1 magnification
Simple, compact 6-group 7-element lens
High-quality aluminum alloy construction for maximum durability
Internal stepping motor and Rear-focusing design for video capture
Smooth Manual Focusing w/ DMF
Circular Aperture for beautiful defocusing of backgrounds
Product Description
Sony SEL30M35 Digital SLR Camera Lens (Black)
Available Warranties for This Item
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 58 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The best "bang for the buck" in the current Sony E-mount repertoire.
December 31, 2011
Amazon Verified Purchase
In my opinion, this is the best way to spend your hard-earned money on an NEX system lens. Sure the Sony Zeiss 24mm f1.8 is optically superior making this only the 2nd best lens in the current E-mount lineup (as of December 2011), but the Zeiss is $1000 and this is a steal at $250, AND it can do macro at 1:1 magnification with minimum focus distance of only about an inch. While not ideal focusing distance for many macro shooters, it's still a very nice capability to have and quite fun to play with on my NEX-5N.
It's labeled and marketed as a macro lens but like the heavier and more expensive Zeiss 24mm 1.8, it's actually a very versatile "do-it-all" lens as well. You'll be able to take nice portraits (though defocus bokeh will be limited by the 3.5 maximum aperture opening) as well as landscapes, "street" photography, and of course macro. The focal length is a very useable 45mm equivalent taking into account the NEX sensors' 1.5x crop factor.
This is an impressively sharp lens, and is only bested by the Zeiss 24mm in the current E- mount lineup. I have yet to try the 50mm 1.8 OSS though, so I can't compare it to that. I've also been spoiled by the best Leica and Nikon optics which is why I'm even more amazed by what Sony has brought to the table and made very affordable in this fine piece. Although some have commented that it feels cheap because it's light, I don't necessarily think being light means that it's poorly built. In order to sell it at this low price point, plastics had to be used in lieu of metal (unlike the all-metal Zeiss) but at least Sony has given it a metallic-like finish to look the business. The focus ring turns smoothly and quietly, and after several weeks of heavy use, removals, and remounting on the camera body, I'm so far convinced that it's a well-built product. A quality piece given the low price.
If you already have the Zeiss 24mm 1.8 (or planning to buy one) then there's no need to get this lens unless you actually need the 1:1 macro capability. The focal length is similar enough that they fill the same void in most people's everyday shooting needs. If you don't own the Zeiss (or don't think you'd ever spend that much on a prime lens) then by all means buy this 30mm 3.5 macro lens! It is the 2nd best lens in the current E-mount lineup. And considering how well cameras like the NEX-5N and NEX-7 can shoot at high ISO, the maximum aperture opening of f/3.5 is actually good enough for most low-light situations. Perhaps built-in optical image stabilization would've been nice to have, but I guess that's asking too much for a $250 lens. It's still by far the best bang for the buck you can get for your NEX camera. If you could only have one lens to have for your NEX, it's either this or the Zeiss. In my opinion, they are the only two E-mount lenses that do the new Sony sensors' justice.
UPDATE 2/25/13: with the addition of a few very good new lenses in the NEX line-up, like the 35 f/1.8 and the 10-18 f/4, and since this review, the 50 f/1.8 from last year, this lens has been bumped all the way down to be only the 5th best Sony lens in the NEX line-up. It's still one of the best values in NEX lenses, not counting the Sigma E-mount lenses, but at least in my camera bag, it's been relegated to the shelf at home. I seldom use it anymore as the trio of the 24mm Zeiss, the 35 f/1.8, and the 50 f/1.8 have become my do-it-all kit of primes. Thus I have reduced my star rating to 4 as NEX shooters can now benefit from a greater selection of excellent E-mount lenses.
It's labeled and marketed as a macro lens but like the heavier and more expensive Zeiss 24mm 1.8, it's actually a very versatile "do-it-all" lens as well. You'll be able to take nice portraits (though defocus bokeh will be limited by the 3.5 maximum aperture opening) as well as landscapes, "street" photography, and of course macro. The focal length is a very useable 45mm equivalent taking into account the NEX sensors' 1.5x crop factor.
This is an impressively sharp lens, and is only bested by the Zeiss 24mm in the current E- mount lineup. I have yet to try the 50mm 1.8 OSS though, so I can't compare it to that. I've also been spoiled by the best Leica and Nikon optics which is why I'm even more amazed by what Sony has brought to the table and made very affordable in this fine piece. Although some have commented that it feels cheap because it's light, I don't necessarily think being light means that it's poorly built. In order to sell it at this low price point, plastics had to be used in lieu of metal (unlike the all-metal Zeiss) but at least Sony has given it a metallic-like finish to look the business. The focus ring turns smoothly and quietly, and after several weeks of heavy use, removals, and remounting on the camera body, I'm so far convinced that it's a well-built product. A quality piece given the low price.
If you already have the Zeiss 24mm 1.8 (or planning to buy one) then there's no need to get this lens unless you actually need the 1:1 macro capability. The focal length is similar enough that they fill the same void in most people's everyday shooting needs. If you don't own the Zeiss (or don't think you'd ever spend that much on a prime lens) then by all means buy this 30mm 3.5 macro lens! It is the 2nd best lens in the current E-mount lineup. And considering how well cameras like the NEX-5N and NEX-7 can shoot at high ISO, the maximum aperture opening of f/3.5 is actually good enough for most low-light situations. Perhaps built-in optical image stabilization would've been nice to have, but I guess that's asking too much for a $250 lens. It's still by far the best bang for the buck you can get for your NEX camera. If you could only have one lens to have for your NEX, it's either this or the Zeiss. In my opinion, they are the only two E-mount lenses that do the new Sony sensors' justice.
UPDATE 2/25/13: with the addition of a few very good new lenses in the NEX line-up, like the 35 f/1.8 and the 10-18 f/4, and since this review, the 50 f/1.8 from last year, this lens has been bumped all the way down to be only the 5th best Sony lens in the NEX line-up. It's still one of the best values in NEX lenses, not counting the Sigma E-mount lenses, but at least in my camera bag, it's been relegated to the shelf at home. I seldom use it anymore as the trio of the 24mm Zeiss, the 35 f/1.8, and the 50 f/1.8 have become my do-it-all kit of primes. Thus I have reduced my star rating to 4 as NEX shooters can now benefit from a greater selection of excellent E-mount lenses.
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By L. C. Feigin
Amazon Verified Purchase
I just shot 340 images at a sculpture park, including scenic and macro images. I was so happy shooting, it was the only lens I used all day. The most striking fact about the images is the extreme sharpness over this range and the evenness of illumination and accuracy of exposure. Rather than being a zoom lens with compromises, this lens does one thing perfectly and that is creating sharp images. If you want to zoom, just walk closer or farther from the subject! I have no issues with the construction. It is f/3.5 and therefor quite lightweight. It focuses rapidly and accurately. I would have preferred a wider maximum aperture, but other than that, I am extremely happy with this great lens.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Photokid
All I have to say it amazing. I love this lens. I'm not a pro photographer by any stretch. I don't know much about f stops and all that jazz but I do know that this lens and my NEX-3 were born for each other. I bought the nex because I wanted to take my photography to the next level it does that better than expected. Then add this lens and we have amazingness. The lens produces crisp photos that are stunning. I love macro photography, and it works great with flowers and nature. The lens itself not only looks great but feels great. The metal used is a little more shiny, and lighter than the 18-55 mm lens that I bought with the camera. I can see where the other reviewer thought that the quality might be a little low. It's not because the quality is low it's just the feel of the lens, light and almost hollow feeling. However this does not mean its of lower quality. Over all if you like simple macro photography and own a NEX camera, then this lens needs to be in your colection.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
great fot taking close up pictures, i even bought some macro filters to take shots of even close objects and small insects.
Published 1 month ago by le patissier
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five stars for it's capabilities
This is a very light lens and the construction looks so fragile but underneath the hood it is very pleasing. I would have gone for the Zeiss but the cost is way beyond this baby. Read more
Published 2 months ago by senhorpedro
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for close ups and still photography
Using these for anything that is moving, even slightly, will not have the desired results. With that said, using these for close up pictures and general portraits and holiday... Read more
Published 3 months ago by A. Saucedo
4.0 out of 5 stars
GIVES THe NEX SERIES TRUE MACRO ABILITY
Can't say much about this as far as professional comments such as distortion and other areas, but I was very nicely surprised at the quality of the shots I have taken with this... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Conner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does what it says and does it well
This lens just works. It does Macro yet is usable for distance focus as well. Good solid product and great Macro shots with this lens.
Published 12 months ago by R. Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great macro for the price
I've shot several hundred images within a week with this lens and consider it a keeper. In macro shots at f/4. Read more
Published 12 months ago by ShutterFlash
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great compliment to my prized new Sony Nex C3
Like all items, judging whether this lens meets your needs depends on what your needs are. As for me, it met mine with flying colors. Read more
Published 12 months ago by M. Miller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice, compact macro
This is a nice little lens and a good addition to the NEX lineup. It's very sharp in the center, though corner sharpness is not ideal. Read more
Published 13 months ago by botw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice, Flat Field
I have been shooting micro and macro photography since the 1960's and this Sony macro is a surprisingly good lens. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Timothy S. Shropshire
2.0 out of 5 stars
Returned it.
I did not care for this lens. I didn't get a decent macro shot at all. I returned the lens.
Published 15 months ago by Emily C. Dupree
