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Larvin72

Newbie wants to ask, what is the best macro lens for sony alpha a580?

pagenge

Hello Larvin72

Macro is a very specialist subject type of photography. So the use of lenses is going to vary according to the purpose of the lens

SAL30MF28

very affordable, compact, lightweight, will AF with the LA-EA1 NEX to A-mount adapter and ver 3 firmware on NEX and Ver2 firmware on adapter, focuses to 2cm from front of lens, and deliver life-size capture.

It will be equivant to 45mm on all your bodies, this is very wide angle. It will distort subjects when close. Can be used for creative effects.

SAL50MF28/SAL100MF28

These lenses are both redesigns from the Minolta lens line-up. Both are excellent optical quality, but are considerably more expensive. The 50mm will be equivalent to 75mm, the 100mm will be 150mm. This means you will be able to position yourself further away from the subject and capture the same area, this is helpful if your subject has a tendency to leave the scene if you approach too close. Neither will AF on the NEX combination, this is because they do not have in lens focus motors. However, you will likely Manual Focus with macro use anyway. Its more reliable.

:smileysad:The lenses are more expensive, but a worthwhile investment if Macro photography is going to be something you capture for many years. Longer focal lengths mean you will need to have smaller apertures to gain depth of field, so tripod and light reflectors are advised. This can be difficult if you are in reduced lighting, or if the subject moves fast.

Hope that helps.

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StartTheCar

Hi Larvin72

We currently list three dedicated macro lenses for Alpha. Full details can be found on this link

http://www.sony.co.uk/compare/dss-digital-slr-lenses/

I will leave other members of the community to share their experiences and hopefully guide you toward the "best" macro lens for you.

Best regards
Lee

pagenge

Hello Larvin72

Macro is a very specialist subject type of photography. So the use of lenses is going to vary according to the purpose of the lens

SAL30MF28

very affordable, compact, lightweight, will AF with the LA-EA1 NEX to A-mount adapter and ver 3 firmware on NEX and Ver2 firmware on adapter, focuses to 2cm from front of lens, and deliver life-size capture.

It will be equivant to 45mm on all your bodies, this is very wide angle. It will distort subjects when close. Can be used for creative effects.

SAL50MF28/SAL100MF28

These lenses are both redesigns from the Minolta lens line-up. Both are excellent optical quality, but are considerably more expensive. The 50mm will be equivalent to 75mm, the 100mm will be 150mm. This means you will be able to position yourself further away from the subject and capture the same area, this is helpful if your subject has a tendency to leave the scene if you approach too close. Neither will AF on the NEX combination, this is because they do not have in lens focus motors. However, you will likely Manual Focus with macro use anyway. Its more reliable.

:smileysad:The lenses are more expensive, but a worthwhile investment if Macro photography is going to be something you capture for many years. Longer focal lengths mean you will need to have smaller apertures to gain depth of field, so tripod and light reflectors are advised. This can be difficult if you are in reduced lighting, or if the subject moves fast.

Hope that helps.

gimp69

In this order:

Sony or Minolta 100mm f2.8

Sigma 105mm f2.8

Tamron 90mm f2.8

I have both the Minolta 100mm f2.8 and the Tamron 90mm f2.8, not much between them.

Larvin72

Thank you very much for your reply. Greatly appreciated.

Peterke2

Hi,

maybe this link can help you to decide which Macro Lens is best for your camera.

http://www.dyxum.com - Home of the Minolta/Sony Alpha-mount dSLR photographer

Kind regards, Peter

sligophotog

I use both a Minolta 100mm 2.8 and Minolta 50mm 2.8 macros, the minolta 100mm is an excellent lens in every respect the 50mm not good on digital. but Sony version should be fine.

spshack61

I have the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 which has been a cracking little lens and good for portraits to.

Paperoga63

I own a 30m28, is a strange lens, I bought when I needed a "normal" for my A700 and I used seldom in that way before buying the 35f18.

I took some nice pictures with the 30, and I developed a couple of accessoires for it: a LED ring for macro http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/6350/dsc02133f.jpg and a slide duplicator, used in conjunction with the wireless flash.

For the price is a great lens, but if you need to shoot flying insects forget it, better with spiders

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3893/dsc03888i.jpg