The Sony 90mm has always tempted me, but I never had enough of a need for a tight macro lens to pull the trigger. Then, on a whim, I saw the 100mm Tokina on sale at B&H for $379. The deal was too good to pass up. The Sony may be better, but at less than 400 bucks there is absolutely nothing to complain about with the Tokina. It's worth every penny IMO.
I've been looking at a few videos about this Tokina and it seems to have more 3D pop or dimensionality in the portrait section of the shoot. It is still based on the previous dslr Tokina ATX 100mm 2.8 macro, which in turn is actually based on the Pentax DFA 100mm 2.8 versions including the model with aperture ring, and without AR but having WR (Weather Resistant). Which of course has been replaced with the new AW (All Weather) DFA 100mm with 10 elements in 8 groups, and has much less CA's but still retains the 3D pop and dimensionality. Thanks for this balanced review. I would have liked to have seen more from the portrait images and general walk around images as well to see and compare the dimensionality of the images (the impression of depth in an image).
I recently picked up the Tokina 100mm for $250 in excellent condition. After watching this video, I feel even better about my purchase. Thanks for the comparisons.
I own the Sony Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro for about a year and I'm considering buying another macro lens like the Tokina for a different 'feel' to my pictures. The Sony has a very 'realistic' feel to the photos and I'm after a more dreamy feel. It's great for product and technical photos but not as much for creating atmosphere. The focus ring switch between auto and manual is amazing for someone like me who likes to use auto to find my subject quickly then switch to manual to fine tune. I wish it was used on more lenses. Unfortunately the autofocus really only likes working well in good lighting so its not useful for overcast or low light. It often completely misses focus when only using auto. Any dust on the lens seems to affect the focus more than other macro lens I've used in the past often leaving me cleaning regularly when out. It's is still an amazing lens but fussy. When its great, its perfectly sharp with good contrast and detail but it takes a lot to get that. Handheld produces about 80-100% keep rate in bright light but lowlight produces about 20% keep rate for auto and 50% keep rate for manual. A tripod ups the keep rate by about 20%. It's also very usable on a crop sensor camera and the image stabilization is amazing if the camera doesn't have it. (I only got the last image wrong with your guessing lens types :D )
I had the Sony G 90 2.8 macro it was great but I sold it and got the FE 85 1.8 instead for portraits and faster AF and it is still a sharp lens against any lens even compared to GM lenses. Also with the spare change I got a vintage Minolta 100 2.8 macro but I had to get a Sony LA-EA3 adapter. The Minolta is wickedly sharp, vintage lenses are excellent I don't care if I have to use manual focus only. We all need to learn to use full manual controls like the film era.
I totally agree with you. The Minolta 100 2.8 has 2x magnification, which is really handy, because with both Tokina and Sony I felt that I need more reach.
This video convinced me to get the Tokina, as a budget photographer I could afford the Sony but I don't do enough closeup work to justify the more than double price of the Sony.
i have the previous tokina model and it cost me next to nothing brand new. i bought it cause i needed a macro lens and i thought i bought the cheapest and worse. then came a big surprised that it was ranked somewhere as the second best macro lens right after canon L lens. the photos are unbelievably sharp. the optics are to my humble opinion top notch. i'm aware of the cons. no silent motor and no stabilizer but i don't really need them. the only thing i wouldn't mind if they get rid of is the af mf clutch. it's currently broken.
well the only oddity here is that sony has no focus bracketting feature. why would any professional use the sony system when they are focus stacking regularly?
🟤 Tokina FiRin 100mm
Amz ➭ geni.us/t82j eBay ➭ ebay.us/gQqmD9
⚪️ Sony 90mm
Amz ➭ geni.us/zDxE eBay ➭ ebay.us/HRl8Bc
Thank you for posting this video. It will help me make my decision.
Gracias, Gran revisión de productos. Felicidades!
The Sony 90mm has always tempted me, but I never had enough of a need for a tight macro lens to pull the trigger. Then, on a whim, I saw the 100mm Tokina on sale at B&H for $379. The deal was too good to pass up. The Sony may be better, but at less than 400 bucks there is absolutely nothing to complain about with the Tokina. It's worth every penny IMO.
got it for 230 😂
@@tazztone Nice! Yeah, and at that price, there is ZERO wrong with it unless maybe you're using it every day professionally, and even then...
I've been looking at a few videos about this Tokina and it seems to have more 3D pop or dimensionality in the portrait section of the shoot. It is still based on the previous dslr Tokina ATX 100mm 2.8 macro, which in turn is actually based on the Pentax DFA 100mm 2.8 versions including the model with aperture ring, and without AR but having WR (Weather Resistant). Which of course has been replaced with the new AW (All Weather) DFA 100mm with 10 elements in 8 groups, and has much less CA's but still retains the 3D pop and dimensionality.
Thanks for this balanced review. I would have liked to have seen more from the portrait images and general walk around images as well to see and compare the dimensionality of the images (the impression of depth in an image).
Thanks a lot, you did very well and detailed explanation about these two Lenses. You did Excellent work. Thanks again 👏
I recently picked up the Tokina 100mm for $250 in excellent condition. After watching this video, I feel even better about my purchase. Thanks for the comparisons.
Thank you for an excellent comparison video.
Very, very good review, congratulations!!!
This was a very helpful review. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I have the Sony 90mm and while it is one the best lens in my collection, it is my oldest and slowest emount prime. Cool review!
Very nice review. Thanks oma!
Nice review. I hope you can also review sigma 105 macro.
Awesome review, thank you!
Glad you found it helpful, cheers
شكرا بارك الله فيك على هذه المجهودات
I own the Sony Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro for about a year and I'm considering buying another macro lens like the Tokina for a different 'feel' to my pictures. The Sony has a very 'realistic' feel to the photos and I'm after a more dreamy feel. It's great for product and technical photos but not as much for creating atmosphere.
The focus ring switch between auto and manual is amazing for someone like me who likes to use auto to find my subject quickly then switch to manual to fine tune. I wish it was used on more lenses. Unfortunately the autofocus really only likes working well in good lighting so its not useful for overcast or low light. It often completely misses focus when only using auto. Any dust on the lens seems to affect the focus more than other macro lens I've used in the past often leaving me cleaning regularly when out.
It's is still an amazing lens but fussy. When its great, its perfectly sharp with good contrast and detail but it takes a lot to get that. Handheld produces about 80-100% keep rate in bright light but lowlight produces about 20% keep rate for auto and 50% keep rate for manual. A tripod ups the keep rate by about 20%.
It's also very usable on a crop sensor camera and the image stabilization is amazing if the camera doesn't have it.
(I only got the last image wrong with your guessing lens types :D )
I had the Sony G 90 2.8 macro it was great but I sold it and got the FE 85 1.8 instead for portraits and faster AF and it is still a sharp lens against any lens even compared to GM lenses. Also with the spare change I got a vintage Minolta 100 2.8 macro but I had to get a Sony LA-EA3 adapter. The Minolta is wickedly sharp, vintage lenses are excellent I don't care if I have to use manual focus only. We all need to learn to use full manual controls like the film era.
I totally agree with you. The Minolta 100 2.8 has 2x magnification, which is really handy, because with both Tokina and Sony I felt that I need more reach.
This video convinced me to get the Tokina, as a budget photographer I could afford the Sony but I don't do enough closeup work to justify the more than double price of the Sony.
That is the point of my review, is to show you the strenght of each lens and you pick up the one you feel suits you the more
Great video
Very good. From Brazil.
Can you turn the macro feature off on these lenses?
thx
i have the previous tokina model and it cost me next to nothing brand new. i bought it cause i needed a macro lens and i thought i bought the cheapest and worse. then came a big surprised that it was ranked somewhere as the second best macro lens right after canon L lens. the photos are unbelievably sharp. the optics are to my humble opinion top notch. i'm aware of the cons. no silent motor and no stabilizer but i don't really need them. the only thing i wouldn't mind if they get rid of is the af mf clutch. it's currently broken.
Great comparison but I my Sony 90mm remains the best and my most used lens.
well the only oddity here is that sony has no focus bracketting feature. why would any professional use the sony system when they are focus stacking regularly?
👍👍👍