I Finally Bought the Sony 30mm F/3.5 Macro Lens
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 12. 09. 2024
- It's crazy to think this lens was released a whopping 7 years ago by Sony! This was lens #4 in their NEX lineup. Here's my review in 2018.
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MUSIC: DJ Quads - This Time of the Year
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Imagine having so little going on in your life that you complain about the background music of a normal CZcams video being too modern.
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This channel has one of the best "OSTs" in the internet, Arthur has a great taste IMO.
"I demand ancient music for my modern platform"
fact!
Jazz like that is one of my top favorite genres!!!!
I have this lens and I can say it's pretty impressive especially for the price. The thing is I don't shoot with it very often because macro photography tends to take more time. Not sure if I should sell it or invest more time in shooting macro. If I didn't have the Sigma 30mm f1.4, I would definitely not hesitate to keep it as all-around lens.
f/3.5 maximum aperture for a prime lens is very narrow. However the 1:1 reproduction ratio is the most important part of this lens. Some lenses are called macro with just 1:2 or even 1:4 reproduction ratio. True macro lenses have at least 1:1 or 2:1 reproduction ratio.
This lens is one of the cheapest and maybe the cheapest native Sony e-mount lens. Also its peculiar hood has a filter thread in front. The hood is similar to that of the full frame e-mount Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.8 ZA.
Macro lenses are not only usable with macro photography. They can focus to infinity and are usually sharp from corner to corner.
On the subject of the music, don't worry about it. You will never make everyone happy, as everyone has different tastes. Just do what you like, and you will end up with a unique voice and style alongside an audience that appreciates it.
And as always, great review!
i got so much hesitation to take this lens, since some other reviewer put much negative feedback on this one (too plasticky, too close distance, too soft, etc) but your video sort of clear it all...thanks man
Nice lens and nice review. This lens is on top of the list of lenses Iâll buy into the close future.
I have this lens about 3 months second hand eBay for about 100⏠i was surprised for the sharpness in the center but a little slow in focus and erratic for the newcomers; i recomend the focus in flexible point AND the F to 8 or above. Many reviews are very crytical in the sharpness in the borders but who wants sharpness at the edges for a macro lens?
A 1:1 macro for this price is like a gift :-) but take note that this lens neead a learning period: Shot, shot shot...F:8, 12, up...
I also have the 30mm Sigma Art f2.8 an the Sony 35mm F1.8... this 35mm is oustandig and plays in another league.
Love this lens.
Thank you for the review.
I really like your reviews. I'm planning to buy an a6000 this december and all of my lens choices are based on your reviews :D
Keep up the good work!
It's great to have a native macro lens on the system but I also have Nikon lenses so I mount my Oshiro 2:1 macro lens on my a6500 and use manual focus. Turns out some nice macro shots. For the price though this seems like a good value. Thanks for sharing.
Such a cool lens. I've never had much use for a macro, but I'll definitely get this one if that changes. Insane how close you get with it.
Indeed! I was blown away the first time I took a photo.
Can you do a comparison between this 30mm macro and 35mm + extension tube? Thanks
Thank you for the review I have been waiting for this
So beautiful photos! very interesting that lens ... on Saturday it would arrive, I'm anxious. Greetings from Argentina
With the new music, it sound like a Christopher Frost Photography video for a bit there.
Lol i can see it..... and hear it
So I guess youâre a watch enthusiast too!
Love that Orient Ray II and Seiko Chronograph đ
ive been looking for a macro for my Sony & watched your video a few months back & was impressed by your images ,so I picked one up for very cheap & a few months later oh I love it .. thanks
I never heard the other music but I like this lo-fi jazz!
Great lens! I bought it for $150 used on eBay for my a6000. Love using it.
I too
I've had this lens for years, and it does do a great job, for the price. In fact i think it may even be too cheap for what it does, and that is a very weird thing to say about an e-mount lens from Sony.. Well.. Any e-mount lens really. :P Usually it's the other way around...
But, though i have it, and i like it, i've found that i almost never use it. Main reason is the lack of any OSS. I just have to ditch too many shots unless it's on a tripod. It's really only useful for stationary shots, moving subjects is pretty much a no-go for me. I guess my hands are too shaky to get good results with this lens. :) I also find the AF to be pretty bad. Really really slow, and not really too accurate either.
I really, really, REALLY want the 90mm macro. Not only would it give me OSS i apparently need, as well as faster and more accurate AF, making it more useful for non macro work, but it would also give me more range to work with. I probably wouldn't have to push the lens right up against the subject, making it more useful for live subjects like animals. That is also something i sorely miss with the 30mm.
Buuut, i'll probably never be able to afford the 90mm.. Maybe the halfway point with the new-ish 50mm macro? I just don't know if that one would really make a significant enough difference for me to actually get some use out of it though. And still, that's not exactly cheap either.. :/
Christian for almost the same price as the sony 50mm macro you can by the 100 mm samyang macro which recording to youtube very nice although it just comes with manual settings. With crop factor you land on 150mm. I would love to get one of these but still too expansic for me :(. Maybe i should give up on advanced mancro and go for at least the 30mm macro.
As a watch enthusiast that shoot mainly watches, this macro lens is sufficent but not the best.
It is cheap and does the job, but you really have to get close to the subject to have true macro, so it is hard to have propre ligthing on the subject, and placing the camera at right angle is pretty hard.
But it is cheap and small (compared to the microart tube macro lens for example) so very handy. I'll get the Sigma 105mm 2.8 as it is better for lighting purpose, but will keep this one as it is very handy and you can bring it everywhere you go for quick macro shot.
05:01 You guys were in Luzern?!?
That's so awesome!
Greetings from Zurich ;)
nice wÀri au grad gange
I'm getting great results with this lens on an a6500. Works without a tripod on flowers just fine. You'll see things you never knew were there. Sooooo creamy
The music in your video is great! as well as the review. thanks
You should try a reverse adapter to flip your lens around for super macro. You already have a ton of lenses to try and see which ones work best. It would be a fun video.
Itâs a very good lens this, thanks for a great review. One âtrickâ with this lens, when hand holding the camera, is to get your subject roughly in focus, then switch to manual focus with focus peaking, and gently rock back, and forward until the focus peaking illuminates the subject, and take the shot.
Thank you for sharing, i want to buy this lens for close shoots like eyes and forehead its enough for sharp photos ?
Has this lens gone up in price? I always had it in my wish list and could have sworn it was $199 at least at some point. It was an amazing bargain at that price. Still an excellent lens but for $278 I think I'd seriously consider a used 50mm f2.8 macro for around $300. Either way, I do a lot of macro product shots and have been using legacy glass. This would be a lot easier and certainly lighter. Well done and I liked the music choice. Very soothing.
I have been reviewing all your videos looking in particular to find information on lens choices for use with my Sony Nex 7 camera. From the points you outlined I have now purchased the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro, Sony 35mm f/1.8 and Meke MK-S0AF3A macro tubes. The macro lens is particularly easy to set up and use.
I also changed my 1000W halogen flood lights to Continuous Softbox Studio Light with 5500K 85W CFL Light Bulbs.
I just bought this the other day. I'm excited to use it. Thanks for the video :)
Thank you for that, thoroughly enjoyable. Macro is often overlooked but is made way easier by today's macro setup and autofokus lenses.
As I got an extensive set of old Minolta A mount lenses, I use the macro 50mm f/2.8 with the LA-EA4 adapter, but it is worth to consider, depending on the direction I'll go. (More APS-C or go full frame)
Keep it up!
Love the chillhop!
Classical theme = repetitive smooth jazz. Can never make everyone happy. Great review!
Guess so. This music makes me feel depressed for some strange reason. Excellent video.
I liked the music!
Nice video, are you able to do a video with vintage lenses. Such as the Helios 44-2 or Mir 1B. Would really like to see your opinion on those lenses.
Yeah, i really hoped you review it đ
That classical music was so soothing!
Another comprehensive informative review. Thank you.
Thanks for video! Love that you wear aN orient! Classic watch
I both agree and disagree with you.. I own the 30mm macro and I agree on it being good when it comes to taking photos of jewelry or watches etc (and for those food blogs it's almost a must have unless they already have the 90mm macro, surprised you did not bring that up)... But I do NOT agree with you when it comes to shooting insects due to the focus distance... Going that close almost always means you will scare whatever you are shooting... Combine that scared/run away move with a somewhat slower AF and the photo will fail a lot... Also... Did you really test just how close you can go to the subject you photographing where it manage to focus (with AF)? I found my let's me take picture somewhat closer than the minimum distance you stated.
Dudeius Mannigast which macro lens do you suggest for takig pictures without going to close with the object?
karina lesmana it's either the Sony 90mm f2,8 (if money is no problem).... But there is a sigma 70mm f2,8 art macro lens coming to Sony e mount... This is however not a lens I have tested yet! Now If you do not mind using focus peaking.. Then there is a 100mm f2,8 from samyang/rokinon at a very nice price. (keep in mind it does not come with oss or AF, but if you have IBIS on your camera or using a tripod then it's not really needed) ..if I were you I would wait (and start saving cash) until I could check the sigma lens out before going with any of the others
Love your Orient watch. Please do review your watches too. I own this very lens and use it for fruit macro photography.
How's the autofocus in video compared to let's say the kit lens?
Another great video. I have this lens and like it. The f3.5 aperture is not a problem.
For macro shots it's not. But for general use it's quite slow for a prime lens. There's hardly any advantage over the F4 zoom lenses.
Just boost ISO. But I also have other faster lenses.
I've been really thinking about buying this lens for a long time! But it has no image stabilization so idk if I'd buy it
TechnologyMafia definitely brings APS-C alive XD
Its the same lens hood as the 20mm. Weird but also lets you thread a filter on it still which is nice.
Interesting lens, iâm considering one. Thanks alot
I love this lens for taking photos of tarantulas!
Thanks for this review.
Thought of picking it up after I bought the 35 F1.8 after your review.
But because I own the A6000 the no steady-shot is a dealbreaker for me.
You're right - Sony should update this Lens with OSS and maybe a newer body / paint.
I use the FE 50 mm F2.8 macro on my a6000 and it takes beautiful pictures. Did you consider it?
great lens for macro. I've been using and enjoying it for some time now and it's really sharp.
Seriously i love the modern music!
Would like to hear some bluegrass music
oooo! I like macro lens! I wasn't really a fan of the meike macro extension because you have to go way to close to the object. I agree that it's a lot easier to take macro pics and can still take pics at farther ranges
A macro is always a good idea. And if you can replace a walkaround lens with a macro is doubly a good idea. Specially for those that don't want a million lenses but two or three very versatile ones. I like this one with the 6500 that has IS.
30mm macro is amaizing macro lens, but lilbit wooble focus when use flexi spot small
Beautiful photos what are the best settings to use?
I also considered this lens. The fact that you have to get really close to your subject stopped me from getting it. Instead I got myself a Samyang 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. This is a manual focus lens but it has a close focussing distance of around 30 cm for a 1:1 magnification, which I find more convenient.
Good review. Thanks. Wondering if it would be a good lens for shooting my 120 film negatives? Seems like maybe not enough distance (relief) for that? Your thoughts?
Is this good for Video and Portraits?
Arthur. I'm debating whether to buy this lens for my A6300. I probably will. I have question though. What would be the effect of adding focus rings to a macro lens? I love your kit reviews. I live in Edinburgh Scotland. Many thanks.
Hi, there is a massive fan of the channel and your educational content, however, I have an interesting question, is it advisable to use this lens for portraits also?
You can use it for portraits. I show a sample of my wife in the video - F3.5 doesnt give you a ton of bokeh.
Thanks for the video, Arthur! Will this work on my full frame A7ii?
me too..ive never tried it...looks good though... thanks for the review
how's this lens vs sigma 30mm + tubes for image quality?
Nice lens. I have a few vintage macro lenses and they work great. They're super cheap and fun to use. Manual focus is all you need. :)
So I guess 90/2.8 is next :D it would be awesome if you could review that lens!
I picked up Laowa 60/2.8 2:1 few days ago and it's great.. but quickly found myself in tears after realizing new Sigma Art macro is already available in my country at a very decent price :'(
Hey So I dropped my kit lens and I was actually looking at this one today. I vlog and film makeup tutorials. Do you think this would be a good one??
This has helped me make up my mind to buy this.
How does this lens perform on full frame? How bad is the softness and vignetting? Are the images still decent in aps-c mode on the a7 series cameras?
thx for this detailed video !!!
I wanna start shooting wedding, Iâve got a6000 with 50mm F1.8, and the kit lense. What do you suggest I buy next? Iâm looking at either macro for ring and flower shots, or a 18-105 or 28-70 for more versatile situation shots. Suggestions? Budget is limited to 3-400$ as of now.
Thanks for the great video! Does your lens buzz on different apertures? Mine starts buzzing from 4.5 to 11, being loudest at 5.6. I'm wondering, if the lens I got is defective.
Mine doesn't buzz. What software version is yours? Mine is version 2.
You should explain why it is easier with macro lens compared to tubes..
Now that it is two years later have you found a different E mount macro lens that you like better than this one (under $800)? Iâm using an a6100.
what kind of macro do you do? products or just fun?
The laowa 25mm and 100mm are fantastic lens for under $500 with amazing quality
the sigma 105mm is also another great lens under $600
The laowa and tamron are currently my favorites until I get my sony 90mm of course.
I might need this lens
Would you use this lens for baby photography? Iâve watched a lot of your videos recently and have decided to buy the a6500. My wife and I are expecting (due next March) and would like to get some nice portrait shots and close ups of the hands, feet etc. Would you use this lens for those sort of pictures or the Sony 50mm? Ps. Congrats to both of you too đ¶đ»
Looks great, I'd like to try this lens. Im beginner and had chance only for extension tubes so far (with sony 50 1.8). Though I wonder how much use one can have of AF in macro world? Considering the very SDOF, maybe its not a big loss to get an only manual lens?
Hi there, I usually check your reviews before I decide to buy, I'll be getting this lens for shooting the rings at a wedding.
There is a saying, 'you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all the the people all the time'...
I didn't like that music, 'at all'... Haha! Just as well I'm not bothered by the music, 'ever' it's the review that matters, I'm in complete agreement with DoctorObviously here.
Some Nine Inch Nails would have been glorious....
Love your reviews and channel
Thanks man.
not sure if anyone will see this promptly but I just saw an a6000 with this lens for $389 on ebay ⊠comes with a 128gb memory card too. Is that a good buy for a beginner?
I have the lens and I find it does very well corner to corner at very close distances. But for more general purpose use (medium to long distances) it's not recommended. In those cases the very center is sharp but even just a little bit off from the center it softens badly and the corners are just useless.
So to sum up: Great for macro, bad for everything else.
great video! thank you
Cool vid ,, I currently use a canon FD 50mm 3.5 macro ,, itâs a great lens I also have a super takumar 55mm 1.8 which focus really close and comes with a extension tube just like the canon ,itâs really sharp and my last lens that lets me take close up pics is a Carl Zeiss flektogon 35mm 2.4 ,,, ,,, Do u think the auto focus works well on this lens???
Can you please make a review about macrophotography with the extension tube combine with reverse ring?
hi there,
just wonder if you have over heating problem when recording a video with your a6000
i'm planning to buy a6000 for video, since my a5100 is always over heating
thats the music its great
It is a fun lens, light and somewhat cheap
I'm having a big debate and I know you have reviewed both of these. I want another l lens to pair with my sigmy 30mm. I love the idea of having the sigma 16 1.4 but I also like the versatility of the new 18-135 especially for walking around (going to china in 1.5 months). Obviously the 16mm sigma is the better lens, but wasn't sure if you would recommend the sony 18-135 over it for vacations or another lens all together (unless you also think the 30mm sigma is fine). I just don't think it is wide enough for some nice landscape shots.
Tough choice and it is a personal one. For me, I have moved away from zooms altogether recently. If I have the Sigma 16mm and the Sigma 30mm on a trip, I am all set. Obviously the tradeoff is you dont get that versatility, so you might miss some opportunities that you would have with the 18-135mm. You have to ask which is a priority: super sharp photos with low light performance and bokeh, or decent photos with the flexibility of wide to telephoto at any given time?
That is the toughest question. Thanks for the reply. 16mm probably is the best option especially for those walk around shots (just have to move closer for a portrait).
16mm would be too wide for me. I have the 20mm 2.8 because of its small size and even that's quite wide sometimes.
Unfortunately the 18-135 is expensive compared to it's counterparts in other camera systems. But I'd prefer that over the 18-105. Slower at the long end, but less bulky, smaller filter diameter and mechanical zoom.
By the way, landscape shots with longer focal lengths can also look great.
Very helpful! Thank you
I own this lens too,only flaw is slow focusing in darker lights.
Small question: which kit lens did you use in this video on the A6000?
Is this good for macro video as well? Whatâs the best lens for macro video for the a6400??
I bought it 2 weeks ago and sold it last week. :D Tells my opinion, yes it is perfect lens if you take macro on table from immovable flat object that can be put 2 cm from the lens.
Sony should remake the 35mm oss with 1:2 capability. It'll be ultimate lens for 50mm lover.
This lens is awesome, it's the second lens I'll get after the sigma 16mm f1.4, but how does it perform as portrait lens? can it compete with the sony 35mm f1.8 or sigma 30mm f1.4? also the music was gentle and easy, so good choice!
F3.5 isnt great for portraits, you can see the portrait of my wife I took with it. The Sony 35 and Sigma 30 are still better portrait lenses.
Well yea but, is it only due to higher f stop and slower AF or the image quality as well? I'd appreciate if you make a small comparison with the kit lens (at 30mm focal length) and sigma 30mm f1.4 (it is better than Sony 35mm at image quality and same focal length so it will be good in compare).
Great video but where'd u get that seiko watch..
saludos dime si se puede usar con la camara digital mas econĂłmica de sony la w830?
Thanks for the music change....much better !
Personally I use this lens for converting my old 35 mm negatives and slides into digital, using a slide copier and a A4 light table!..I get great results in RAW , and 24 MP...I can get almost the same quality as a big expensive scanner , but 1/5 of file size....lol
So what if you do this lens 30mm macro with the extension tube? Can this make more closer distance? Please reply
Thanxs for rgis are you recording the sofa scene with a green screen?
Regarding use as a regular lens: it does not focus at infinity. Anything at longer distances are never that sharp.
What about extension rings vs this? Thoughts?
Hi do you think I xan add to ot a close up lens? Thanx Arthur
What camera and lens did you do to make this video?