Sony’s latest lens takes macro to the max

Photo: Mitchell Clark

Sony has announced the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM, a high-end full-frame macro lens that can achieve up to 1.4x reproduction on its own, and 2.8x reproduction when paired with a teleconverter.

The lens is made of 17 elements in 13 groups, with two of Sony’s XA and ED elements, which the company says will help reduce chromatic aberrations. It also uses a Nano AR II coating to reduce flare and ghosting when you’re shooting a backlit subject. It can focus on subjects as close as 0.26m (10.2″) away in both manual and autofocus mode.

If you’re getting that close to something that’s liable to splash water on you, the good news is that the front element also has a fluorine coating to repel water and oils. The lens is also sealed to keep out dust and moisture. It weighs 646g (22.8oz) and is 148mm (5.8″) long.

Focusing is handled by a pair of linear “XD” motors. Sony says these are faster, more accurate and quieter than the stepping motor in its previous 90mm F2.8 macro lens; the company says it supports focus tracking at up to 120fps. The lens features a focus clutch mechanism that lets you quickly switch to manual focus, and the ring has both distance and magnification markings on it. It also has a focus limiter switch, letting you set it to search its full range, from 0.5m to infinity or 0.26m to 0.7m.

That’s far from the only switch on it. It also has a control for clicking and declicking the aperture ring, an iris lock switch and a switch for controlling the optical stabilization. The latter system can work with the camera’s IBIS system, letting you get sharp photos even at relatively low shutter speeds (provided your subject is also very still). The lens also has twin customizable function buttons.

Sony’s latest macro lens is also compatible with teleconverters, which will increase its focal range and magnification capabilities, at the cost of reducing the effective aperture setting. It also lets you get the same level of magnification from further away. For example, Sony says that, with the lens alone, you’ll need around 90mm (3.5″) of working distance to your subject to get the full 1.4x magnification. With the 2x teleconverter, you can be up to 145mm (4.3″) away and still get that 1.4x reproduction, reducing the likelihood of casting shadows on your subject or otherwise disturbing it.

The Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM will be available for pre-order October 1st, and will release on November 13th.

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Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM specifications

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