Best marco lens for ~200gbp

sg86 · Jul 1, 2016

Hi, I recently purchased an A6300 and i'd like to buy a macro lens to shoot coins primarily, though some flexibility would be nice.

I've been looking at a few options, my budget could stretch a little if its worthwhile for one reason or another.

I've been looking at Tamron lenses as they are a bit cheaper, what are peoples thoughts

edit: i was also looking at the Tamron 90mm f2.8 SP Di USD VC Macro Lens, though i'm now not 100% its e-mount compat. The newer line is just out (F017)

AlbertTheLazy · Jul 1, 2016

Macro, particularly for static subjects like coins, is one area where adapted lenses make sense. There are plenty of 'legacy' macro lenses for less than 200 quid and quite possibly one or two modern manual-only options.

sg86 · Jul 1, 2016

AlbertInFrance said:
Macro, particularly for static subjects like coins, is one area where adapted lenses make sense. There are plenty of 'legacy' macro lenses for less than 200 quid and quite possibly one or two modern manual-only options.

--
Albert
(The one in France)
Every photograph is an abstraction from reality.

Well there is the Sony SEL30M35 E Mount - APS-C 30mm F3.5 Macro Prime Lens

but i was wondering if there is something better, for similar or a little more, or possibly used.

I thought the Tamron 90mm in my original post was ok but i'm not actually sure it fits emount

lehill · Jul 1, 2016

sg86 said:
AlbertInFrance said:

Macro, particularly for static subjects like coins, is one area where adapted lenses make sense. There are plenty of 'legacy' macro lenses for less than 200 quid and quite possibly one or two modern manual-only options.

Click to expand...

AlbertTheLazy · Jul 1, 2016

I wouldn't be keen on a 30mm macro lens, simply because the 'working distance' from the front of the lens to the subject will be pretty short. This makes lighting more awkward, especially for subjects like coins that need careful lighting to get the best results.

I don't know about that particular Tamron, but there are plenty of Nikon mount Tamrons that will adapt very easily to E mount. They have a very good reputation, but I can't speak from experience. Try the Macro forum , maybe?

sg86 · Jul 2, 2016

AlbertInFrance said:
I wouldn't be keen on a 30mm macro lens, simply because the 'working distance' from the front of the lens to the subject will be pretty short. This makes lighting more awkward, especially for subjects like coins that need careful lighting to get the best results.

I don't know about that particular Tamron, but there are plenty of Nikon mount Tamrons that will adapt very easily to E mount. They have a very good reputation, but I can't speak from experience. Try the Macro forum , maybe?

AlbertTheLazy · Jul 3, 2016

Try the Sony or macro forums. However, your cheapest option will be an adapted lens, probably one with a Nikon mount.

Ido Scharf · Jul 3, 2016

There is a longer macro lens for E-mount, but it's the $1,000 Sony 90mm f/2.8. As Albert said, your best option is probably to get an adapter to use Nikon F-mount or Canon EF-mount lenses on your E-mount camera. In these controlled settings and environments you probably won't need autofocus, so a simple and cheap adapter would work just fine.

beagle1 · Jul 3, 2016

Ido S said:
There is a longer macro lens for E-mount, but it's the $1,000 Sony 90mm f/2.8. As Albert said, your best option is probably to get an adapter to use Nikon F-mount or Canon EF-mount lenses on your E-mount camera. In these controlled settings and environments you probably won't need autofocus, so a simple and cheap adapter would work just fine.

yes, Canon 60mm macro, 100mm 2,8 macro, etc. - around $200 used

www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless

sg86 · Jul 13, 2016

Hmm, so no point in something like the Zeiss 2.8/50mm makro ?

What adapter would someone recommend? I think i'm getting confused between adapters and extension tubes as they have both been mentioned. So the suggestion is to buy a used canon lens and an adapter for emount?

Ido Scharf · Jul 13, 2016

sg86 said:
Hmm, so no point in something like the Zeiss 2.8/50mm makro ?

Isn't that more expensive? It will most likely give you better autofocus than any adapted lens, and it could be sharper (maybe, haven't checked), but I thought you couldn't afford it. The possible problem is working distance; if you shoot a small living creature with it, you'll need to get so close you'll probably scare it away.

sg86 said:
What adapter would someone recommend?

Ask here or here.

sg86 said:
I think i'm getting confused between adapters and extension tubes as they have both been mentioned.

Extension tubes let you mount a lens further from the sensor to increase its close-focusing capabilities. I think you can't focus at infinity with an extension tube between the camera and the lens.

A lens mount adapter lets you use a lens made for a different lens mount than your camera's. Each lens mount has its flange distance, so the adapter puts the foreign lens mount at the right distance from the sensor.

sg86 said:
So the suggestion is to buy a used canon lens and an adapter for emount?

Probably.

sg86 · Jul 26, 2016

I can afford it but didn't really want to spend

I've looked around and after a lot of thinking i'm going for the SEL90M28G now as i think it'll give me a lot more than just macro shots

Ido Scharf · Jul 26, 2016

Have fun! It's supposed to be a superb lens. It is definitely an excellent macro lens, but at infinity focus it's likely to be not as sharp as lenses like the Zeiss 85mm f/1.8 or other non-macro lenses in the same range. That shouldn't deter you from purchasing it, as macro will be your main use of the lens, but it is something to be aware of perhaps research more thoroughly. Look for sample images, not reviews.

sg86 · Aug 13, 2016

Ido S said:
Have fun! It's supposed to be a superb lens. It is definitely an excellent macro lens, but at infinity focus it's likely to be not as sharp as lenses like the Zeiss 85mm f/1.8 or other non-macro lenses in the same range. That shouldn't deter you from purchasing it, as macro will be your main use of the lens, but it is something to be aware of perhaps research more thoroughly. Look for sample images, not reviews.

Not sure how you can compare it to a non marco lens when i want a macro lens?

Purchased it, its amazing for both macro and portraits so very happy

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