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Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Started 4 months ago | Questions
grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

It seems there are a lot of these available in "Like New" condition for around $800. I'm wondering why?

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
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macrouser
macrouser Senior Member • Posts: 3,979
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

I use mine a lot and don't plan on selling it.

 macrouser's gear list:macrouser's gear list
Sony SLT-A77 Sony a7R III Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM Sony FE 90mm F2.8 macro Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS +2 more
DNSJR
DNSJR Veteran Member • Posts: 6,508
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

Interesting, not sure why. It is a highly rated lens,

https://dustinabbott.net/2020/09/sony-fe-90mm-f2-8-macro-g-os

https://www.dxomark.com/sony-fe-90mm-f2-8-macro-g-oss-lens-review-outstanding-optical-performance/

I am perfectly happy with mine. Use primarily for close-ups,

-- hide signature --

DNSJR

 DNSJR's gear list:DNSJR's gear list
Sony a6300 Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS Sony FE 90mm F2.8 macro Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS +3 more
richj20 Forum Pro • Posts: 10,181
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
2

grsnovi wrote:

It seems there are a lot of these available in "Like New" condition for around $800. I'm wondering why?

One reason might be the users didn't care for the size/weight.

That was one consideration in getting the FE 2.8/50 Macro. I walk a lot with the macro lens mounted. Especially on trips to the Sierras in California.

Weight:

  • 50mm - 11oz/311 g
  • 90mm - 21 oz/ 602 g)

Size:

  • 50mm - 2.79 x 2.8" / 70.8 x 71 mm
  • 90mm - 3.11 x 5.14" / 79 x 130.5 mm

Another consideration for me is the lens serves as my "normal" lens for everyday use. In my film days I used Nikon's Micro-NIKKOR 55mm.

90mm is too long for that use. Thus I'm prepared for both closeup and wider framing when necessary w/o having to switch lenses.

Not enough room to back up to frame this with 90mm

I can't think of other reasons for giving up the 90mm - it's certainly a fine performing lens, as DNSJR demonstrates.

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OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

I understand the weight differential but I would likely never take it out of the house.

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bmike
bmike Senior Member • Posts: 2,644
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Love mine. Recently switched to Sony, was the second lens I bought.

OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Thanks, what do you shoot with it (I didn't see any macro shots in your gallery).

- Gary

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bmike
bmike Senior Member • Posts: 2,644
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

grsnovi wrote:

Thanks, what do you shoot with it (I didn't see any macro shots in your gallery).

- Gary

I don't really keep up my gallery.

Recently switched to Sony, so my shooting with it is limited. I use it for everything... new to macro, but I've been enjoying trying to 'get close'.

Some recent images:

Deadfisheye
Deadfisheye Regular Member • Posts: 435
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

I think richj20 is quite right. It's big and heavy and not a general purpose lens.

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OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Nice shots! Thanks for sharing!

- Gary

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bmike
bmike Senior Member • Posts: 2,644
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

grsnovi wrote:

Nice shots! Thanks for sharing!

- Gary

A few from today, handheld, over a fountain (being careful not to get my lens wet!). Not proper 'macro' as I didn't even try to have every millimeter in focus... but they make me happy.

AeroPhotographer Regular Member • Posts: 462
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

I began with the Sony 90 macro and was completely satisfied.  But when the Sigma 105mm came along, I was impressed by the rave reviews which said it's even sharper than the Sony 90, so I bought it.  Perhaps it is sharper, but I like the Sony better for several reasons:

* It's lighter weight than the Sigma 105

* The ease of changing from AF to MF mode

* When in MF mode, it focuses like a true MF lens.  The Sigma 105 is very slow to focus by wire in MF mode.

I always sharpen a bit in edit.  I cannot perceive the sharpness edge of the Sigma 105mm in my finished photos.

For stationary subjects,  you might be happy with a lighter weight manual focus lens.  And, even if your camera is full frame, you can shoot with a lightweight APS-C lens and crop.

Alan

OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Thanks Alan!

At the moment, I think I'm leaning towards the Laowa 25.

- Gary

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LesPickstock Contributing Member • Posts: 576
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Why $800 or why lots available?

$800 cos it’s worth it

Lots…? Maybe as macro can be transient, maybe due to competing (if non-auto) lenses going to 2X or more…

Who knows, but it remains one of the finest lenses Sony has produced and the ‘hub’ of a Sony macro toolset.

Clearly IMHO !

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LesP

OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Thanks Les,

At the time I was looking at that lens as the next lens for my 7R3. I often will buy used and it just seemed that there was quite a few available for several hundred below the cost new. I was just wondering if the relative ease of finding used had anything to do with the lens itself.

I've since been leaning more towards the Loawa 25 (to get more than 1:1).

- Gary

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macrouser
macrouser Senior Member • Posts: 3,979
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

I very often use the 90mm lens with a NISIS 58 mm apo 5 diopter lens on the front.  It works really well and I still have auto focus.  I have to take it off if I want infinity focus.

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Sony SLT-A77 Sony a7R III Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM Sony FE 90mm F2.8 macro Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS +2 more
LesPickstock Contributing Member • Posts: 576
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

I've since been leaning more towards the Loawa 25 (to get more than 1:1).

- Gary

Perhaps you may want to look at the newer Laower 90..?

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LesP

OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

LesPickstock wrote:

Perhaps you may want to look at the newer Laowa 90..?

I watched a video yesterday that made me pause on the Laowa 25. I have been waiting for my $ situation to improve following the holidays so a  purchase hasn't been imminent anyway.

The video suggested that the 25 is pretty difficult to use and that it probably shouldn't be your first. I do have three other macros but I have been concerned about this choice (as it will be my first FF).

One thing I think I'd miss is the subsequent lack of EXIF data.

Anyway, I took another look at the Sony yesterday.

I probably need to re-evaluate what I want/need from another lens.

 grsnovi's gear list:grsnovi's gear list
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philzucker
philzucker Forum Pro • Posts: 10,390
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
1

grsnovi wrote:

It seems there are a lot of these available in "Like New" condition for around $800. I'm wondering why?

Chiming in a bit late, but no complaints from me concerning this lens. Here a small collection from last year - a really sharp lens good for macro, but also for other things:

Phil

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OP grsnovi Veteran Member • Posts: 3,030
Re: Who owns (or has owned) Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

Thanks for chiming in Phil, nice shots!

I wish I could get a lens like the Laowa 25 that talked to the camera and could focus wide open then stop down for the shot that had the 2.5x to 5x range for the $399 price.

Even a used Sony 90 is 2x the cost of the Laowa and only gives 1:1 (which I have with my APS-C Sony rig).

In any case I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet...

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Sony SLT-A65 Sony a7R III Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 OM-1 +11 more
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