Macro options

[Greg McCary]

So I have most of the focal range I need now. I have the 11-18mm, 16-50mm and also the 18-270mm, Tamron. I really wish there were more wide options. The 11-18mm could use to be a little sharper in the corners and the Sigma wide lens can not be used with a Cokin filter. But that leaves me needing a macro lens or maybe even tubes. I am not wanting expensive. I would be manually focusing. So what would be a killer macro lens? Or are there tubes avaliable and what lens to use with a tube?:idea:

[Anbesol]

The old minolta 100mm f/2.8 is a good one. Damned sharp lens too. The new sony one is the same, just will carry a higher price.

[OldClicker]

Are you asking about E-mount, A-mount or adapted E-Mount? - Terry

[Greg McCary]

A mount OC.

[OldClicker]

As Charlie said, the Minolta/Sony 100mm Macro is excellent. Many like the 90mm Tamron. I find tubes to be the most useful (more close up than macro) if you go for a nice telephoto (200+) to get both long and close. - Terry

[Anbesol]

lol you could always throw tubes on the 100mm ;).

The 90mm tamron is good too, but unless you can get it at a much lower price than the 100mm, I'd stick with that, the 100mm is better.

Tubes also have the problem of light loss, 1 stop per 1.4x increase in focal range. Not sure what a ratio would be for a 1:4 lens converted with a ~1.4x extension tube, if the magnification works along with the light, I'd expect a 1.4x to produce a 1:2 ratio, so it would require a full 2x to get to 1:1 one a typical 1:4 telephoto lens. Your tamron 18-270 is probably a 1:4.

Then, maybe I'm way off base on how extension tubes work.

[Greg McCary]

Thanks OC, Charlie. I'll look at the 100mm. I used tubes a long time ago and found it took more patience than I had.

[NoKnees]

I'll just throw one more vote in there for the Minolta 100mm Macro f2.8... I would love to try it with the a77 and focus peaking.... Seems like it'd be an ideal setup for some great macro work... Love it on my a900, but focus peaking would make manual focus adjustments a breeze..

[ELS]

The old minolta 100mm f/2.8 is a good one. Damned sharp lens too. The new sony one is the same, just will carry a higher price.

Hello Anbesol,

This lens is probably hard to find, right..?

What type of price ranges are we expecting for it.?

Thanks,

Have a nice evening...

Ed

[ELS]

A mount OC.

Hello Greg,

What does the "OC" stand for? :idea:

I don't know, really..?

Thanks.

Have a nice evening,

Ed

[OldClicker]

Hello Anbesol,

This lens is probably hard to find, right..?

What type of price ranges are we expecting for it.?

Thanks,

Have a nice evening...

Ed

They Minoltas are often on Ebay and appear to be going for US$400-500. Here are a few completed auctions that sold.

Sony 100 mm F/2.8 macro Lens SAL100m28 Minolta 100mm (0027242694408) | eBay

Minolta AF 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens for Sony Alpha Excellent | eBay

Sony Minolta AF Maxxum/Sony Alpha 100mm f/2.8 Macro w/ 1:1 Repro w Caps NICE Co | eBay

Minolta Maxxum 100mm f/2.8 AF Macro also for Sony | eBay

Terry

[ELS]

They Minoltas are often on Ebay and appear to be going for US$400-500. Here are a few completed auctions that sold.

Sony 100 mm F/2.8 macro Lens SAL100m28 Minolta 100mm (0027242694408) | eBay

Minolta AF 100mm F2.8 Macro Lens for Sony Alpha Excellent | eBay

Sony Minolta AF Maxxum/Sony Alpha 100mm f/2.8 Macro w/ 1:1 Repro w Caps NICE Co | eBay

Minolta Maxxum 100mm f/2.8 AF Macro also for Sony | eBay

Terry

Terry,

Thank-You for your help..

Ed