BREAKING: Sony has just launched its highly anticipated 100mm Macro Lens, aiming to redefine macro photography with enhanced magnification and superior background blur. This new lens is set to elevate the way photographers capture tiny subjects, making them not only more prominent but also more artistically isolated.
The 100mm Macro Lens boasts an impressive 1.4x magnification and features an aperture ring, a second custom button, and faster autofocus, differentiating it from its predecessor, the 90mm Macro Lens. In a recent hands-on video, photographer Dros tested these lenses in a real forest setting, showcasing the significant improvements in performance.
Photographers know the challenges of macro photography—filling the frame with subjects smaller than a grain of rice often leads to chaotic backgrounds. Dros demonstrated how the new 100mm lens excels in achieving a smoother bokeh, even when stopped down, resulting in a more visually appealing image. The video provides a side-by-side comparison, where viewers can see the 100mm outshine the 90mm in delivering cleaner backgrounds.
With a minimum focus distance of 10.2 inches, the 100mm lens allows for extraordinary close-ups. Dros spent considerable time photographing tiny mushrooms, shifting from wide-open shots at f/2.8 to deeply focused images at f/14. The results are simply stunning, displaying intricate details that were previously difficult to capture.
The flexibility of the new lens is further highlighted with its compatibility with teleconverters. Dros showcased the 1.4x teleconverter, demonstrating how it enables photographers to zoom in on minute details like individual droplets of water and even microscopic insects. He emphasized that the 90mm could not achieve such results, making the new lens a game-changer for serious macro photographers.
As the video progresses, Dros explores advanced techniques like focus stacking, allowing for even greater detail in photographs. The 100mm Macro Lens is built with an optical design of 17 elements in 13 groups and includes 11 rounded aperture blades that enhance the quality of bokeh, making backgrounds appear soft and pleasing.
Dros also addresses a critical question for photographers: should one upgrade from the 90mm Macro Lens? With used prices likely decreasing, the decision hinges on whether the added reach and versatility of the new lens are worth the investment.
For those eager to see the 100mm Macro Lens in action, Dros’s full video review offers an in-depth look at its capabilities. The release of this lens marks a significant moment in the photography community, promising to inspire both professional and amateur photographers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates and detailed reviews as the photography world reacts to Sony’s latest innovation. This lens could very well change the way we approach macro photography forever.
