technical question Sony 90mm macro

A while ago I'd asked about lenses that focus internally/don't extend. I haven't done anything about that, but I found out something that may or may not have something to do with what I've noticed about this lens.

If I use manual focus, at 1:1 I can get closer to the subject than I can with auto-focus. Does this have anything to do with the fact that this lens focuses by wire, vs mechanical focus? (I can't find the specific article where I read that).

It seems like I'm photographing smaller and smaller subjects, so it matters. While I do use manual focus in many of those situations, sometimes it works better to use autofocus.

Most mirrorless lenses are focus by wire, but the 90mm Macro is the exception - at least, if I read Dustin Abbot's review correctly.

I assume the same as QuietOC - it probably is related to better AF performance.

QuietOC wrote: A lot of E-mount lenses allow closer manual focus than what is available with autofocus.

I'll add that there are some older MAXXUM/DYNAX lenses, like the Sigma 35-135mm that use auto-focus to a certain point -- and if you want to focus closer, you have to use manual-focus.

I won't speculate as to the reason for this -- or if auto-focus is less effective in macro.

I will say that for most of my macro work, I never use auto-focus because only my eye knows where I want the point of focus.

I'm sure this isn't your issue but just to flag the 90mm macro has focus limiters on the side. There is a setting for 05m - infinity, which could be limiting you (though the difference between 0.5m and MFD is so large that I'm sure this isn't what you're seeing). Will have a look at my 90 tonight and see if I find the same.

Something to be said for screw-drive macro lenses ...

dbrusco wrote: sometimes when I think something is in focus with manual, it's not.

This doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps you need glasses or a new prescription -- or perhaps your viewfinder diopter needs adjustment.
One option would be to use a viewfinder magnifier. Minolta made several of these, they are inexpensive, and they all fit Sony cameras. I don't do macro work without one.

This doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps you need glasses or a new prescription -- or perhaps your viewfinder diopter needs adjustment.
One option would be to use a viewfinder magnifier. Minolta made several of these, they are inexpensive, and they all fit Sony cameras. I don't do macro work without one.[/QUOTE]

I do have glasses, but having to rely on focus peaking sometimes doesn't always do it (I often miss those old optical viewfinders). How does one of those differ over the in-camera magnifier? I probably need to adjust it somehow, it's not enabled right now, but I found that it was too magnified and didn't necessarily show me what I was trying to focus on because I still use the old film camera way, plus it magnifies my shakes.

Actually, an angle finder would come in handy, looking at the Minolta Vn (are there different versions of that?). Looks like on eBay a lot are coming from Japan.