Sony AF 50mm F2.8 Macro A-mount lens reviews
reviews found: 28
 Reinhold_1#47033 date: Sep-23-2024 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm f2.8 macro Minolta 50mm f2.8 RS macro Minolta 100mm f2.8 macro RS Sony 90mm f2.8 macro G OSS |
| price paid: | 150,00 $ (new) |
| positive: | Very sharp and versatile, yet small and (relatively) light. Delivers great results - in APS-C as well as in full frame mode. Useful focus hold button and focus limiter. |
| negative: | No lens stabilization - hence grade 4 in the "build rating". |
| comment: | I purchased the lens when new for $150.00 from a dealer in Japan. The connection to E-Mount is made using the LA-EA5 adapter. Very useful for everyday use with outstanding results. Works very well in both APS-C and full frame bodies. Recommended! |
| Miranda F#44319 date: Jun-15-2019 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | missing |
| negative: | missing |
| comment: | Sorry, wrong model entered by accident and can't delete. |
| QuietOC#44286 date: May-11-2019 | |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 20 F2.8 OSD M1:2 Tamron 24 F2.8 OSD M1:2 Sony DT 30 F2.8 Macro SAM Tamron 35 F2.8 OSD M1:2 Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro Minolta AF 50 F2.8 Macro RS Minolta MD 50 F3.5 Macro Minolta AF 50 F3.5 Macro Tamron SP 60 F2 Macro Sigma EX 70 F2.8 DG Macro Tamron SP 90 F2.5 Macro Minolta AF 100 F2.8 Macro RS Vivitar 135 F2.8 Close Focusing |
| price paid: | 120 USD (used) |
| positive: | Modest size and weight Circular aperture Wide rubber focus grip Focus range limiter Focus distance encoder Lens Compensation |
| negative: | Chromatic aberration Field curvature Extends to focus close |
| comment: | The original Minolta AF version of this lens was $350 in 1985. The RS version added the circular aperture, the focus hold button, and the range limiter and was $300 when released in 1993. Minolta added a focus clutch and distance encoder in 2001. Sony's current list price is $600. This was a well used copy with a discolored focus grip and original caps purchased from an individual eBay seller. "JAPAN" The focus grip is much wider than the one on the Minolta RS and the focus hold button is slightly larger. The focus clutch keeps the grip from spinning during AF, but introduces some vagueness to the manual focus action. The range limiter and focus hold buttons are no longer aligned with the mounting indicator and each other. This lens extends almost as much as the 100 mm macro at 1:1. The focus scale looks to be nearly identical to the 50 F3.5. The amount of grip rotation and barrel extension at 1:2 is very similar to the smaller lens. The optical elements are barely any larger. The front elements of both are deeply inset. This lens reduces angle-of-view with close focus like most unit focus primes. It performs just like the earlier Minolta versions. The Sony FE 50 F2.8 Macro has much less optical aberrations especially at low magnification, but it has slightly higher distortion and loses more focal length at close focus. |
| BRWAT#11926 date: Jul-29-2014 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 100mm Macro Sony 85mm G-Series Sony 50mm f/1.4 Sony 35mm G-Series Sony 35mm f/1.8 Sony 30mm Macro Sony 20mm f/2.8 |
| price paid: | $440.00 |
| positive: | This lens provides stunning results when used in conjunction with the A77. The IQ, and colour rendition is superb. Its small, and an ideal companion to the A77. |
| negative: | Its a lens that should be weather-sealed, and the plastic build pales in comparison to the Minolta that I've used in the past. Its screw driven AF system is dated. |
| comment: | I really like this lens, and its definitely a must have for A77 owners. Its IQ and colour rendition are superb. Its sharper than both Sony's 30mm, and 100mm macro lenses. This lens has a screw driven AF which is slow, noisy, and needs to updated with something much faster (SSM). |
| armirail#11313 date: Aug-19-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | DT 16-80 ZA Minolta 24-85 24mm F2.0 ZA |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | - awesome sharpness starting wide open - small lens - even though plastic, it feels solid - accurate manual focusing very easy |
| negative: | - extends when focusing (i guess thats normal for a macro lens) |
| comment: | this lens is amazingly sharp. Compared it in my own tests to both the 16-80mm and 24-85mm @ 50mm, the macro lens beats them by far both wide open. At the f8 the 16-80mm is almost as good (center sharpness same) corners lack just a tiny little bit on the 16-80mm. The focusing ring on the macro lens allows for very accurate manual focusing, compared to the zoom lenses. great lens for the price! |
| ahura#11296 date: Aug-6-2013 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50mm f2.8 macro Minolta 50mm f2.8 RS macro Tamron 60mm f2 macro |
| price paid: | 370USD (like new) |
| positive: | Sharp as hell focus limiter focus hold button |
| negative: | I dont really like the build, but it's not too bad doesn't have internal focus |
| comment: | This lens is really, really sharp at wide open, sharper than my old Minolta 50 f2.8 macro, and will get razor sharp at f4. The build is not as solid as my old minolta, but not too bad, slightly lighter. Focus hold button and focus limiter is very useful, especially for portrait. Highly recommended! |
| Norvass#11081 date: Apr-27-2013 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 3 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 3.9 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50 f/1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Sharp, Good contrast, Excellent colour, Focus limiter |
| negative: | Very plasticky, Larger than other 50's |
| comment: | Good lens with excellent resolution . I chose it as it does a job as a walk round and macro lens. |
| gsaronni#9701 date: Dec-18-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 100/2.8 macro D Minolta 100/2.8 macro RS Tamron 90/2.8 macro Minolta 50/3.5 macro |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Small and light Focusing is fast for a macro Limiter is nice Nice focus ring for precise focusing Focus hold can be used as a DOF preview Circular aperture renders perfect bokeh Sharp across the frame at f2.8 |
| negative: | Focus ring is a dust magnet Build not so solid but not bad Extends quite long |
| comment: | I have a love-hate relationship with macro lenses. They are difficult to use and get good results, but I think the 50mm is easier to operate for novice and the results can be nice sooner It is sharp like a knife, no CA, the limiter is quite effective and can be used as a portrait lens like the 50/1.4 offering more versatility. I always used the 50/1.4 at f2 so there is only one stop advantage that is something not to be worried with the nice ISO6400 output from the A580. Of course you always can go to f1.4 with the SAL 50/1.4 but you cannot focus at 0.2m Bokeh is better than the one you get with SAL 50/1.4, the OOF lights are rendered mich better, although they are not circular to f2.8, you have to close a bit Focus ring has two level of resistance, at least mine do. At macro distances it offers a nice resistance to get precise focusing and at longer focus distances it is smoother Compared to the 50/3.5 it is very similar regarding sharpness and colour but it is 1:1 and f2.8. So the 50/3.5 can be only recommended at lower prices Highly recommended |
| croomaniac#9167 date: Jun-22-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | 750 MYR (used) |
| positive: | Very Sharp Creamy Bokeh Short MFD [20mm] Focus limiter |
| negative: | Not that fast AF In macro mode, you can touched the subject with your lens! |
| comment: | This is a very gem i must say. The sharpest lens that doesn't have the G or Zeiss logo on it. If you want the creamiest bokeh (besides 135 STF), look no where else. It can be used as a macro lens and also a portrait lens but beware of the sharpness as it would be too sharp. ;-) |
| 4paperi#9147 date: Jun-17-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50/1,7 |
| price paid: | 280 EUR (almost new) |
| positive: | Sharp to the edge Focus limiter Very nice colours Much better than Minolta 50/1,7 |
| negative: | Nothing, except too much plastic (my copy "sounds" a little) |
| comment: | No problems at all, when using f stops like 22. |
| teejay#8786 date: Mar-14-2011 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | sony 50mm 1.4 minolta 100/2.8 macro rs sigma 50/2.8 macro zen |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Very sharp from wide open good contrast, colors AF is quite acceptable Large focus ring focus limiter |
| negative: | (too sharp for portraits?) |
| comment: | Just bought this lens for no particular reason, but so far I am very impressed with its performance. Wide open, it is very sharp, has good contrast and limited CA, and the bokeh is pleasant. It compares favorably to the 50/1.4 at 2.8, so that is quite a feat. AF speed and accuracy is ever so slightly lower than that of the 50/1.4, hence very acceptable. If you do not shoot that much low light (and given the good high iso capabilities of recent dslrs), this lens may replace the 50/1.4 - it has for me, as I am selling my 50/1.4. Compared to the 100mm macro, wide open performance is superior with this lens, as is focus accuracy. The 100mm macro has 9 aperture blades, so highlights are still round at f5.6, the 50mm only has 7, so at f5.6 highlights are polygonal. IMO, wide open bokeh quality is better on the 50mm. Overall, a stunning lens. |
| sinside#8748 date: Mar-6-2011 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | 350USD |
| positive: | sharp, good color. |
| negative: | Auto foucus is not so good espically in dark place (with sony A500). Narrow Depth of Field. |
| comment: | It's a little difficult to control this lens because of the narrow depth of filed. |
| MartinM#7906 date: Aug-30-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | 450 (used) |
| positive: | Sharpness Size Weight |
| negative: | Focal lenght |
| comment: | I had this lens previously on my A300. It was really a great macro. Good reason for me to get it again. Unfortunately, on my A850 I does not convince me any more. The close focus distance seem to be to short for small live subjects. I guess a 100mm would be more convenient. The lens does not leave wishes open in term so optical results, neither the build quality. Maybe some day I get it again. |
| lithops effect#7531 date: Jun-5-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 overall: 4.4 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | minolta 50 1.4, sal 18-70 |
| price paid: | 465 |
| positive: | Sharp and optically my best lens. |
| negative: | focus is a bit slow, though the limiter helps a lot. build could be sturdier. |
| comment: | a very good lens that is versatile enough to double as both macro lens and as walk-around 50mm, but falling short a little bit on both account. for macro the focal distance is just a little too short for insect photography, and a little too slow for low light shooting. |
| Vancouver#6791 date: Jan-21-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Tamron 90 2.8 Sony 50 1.4 Sony 16-105 Sony 50 1.8 Min 50 1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Though plasticky, it s well made Sharp even wide open Very versatile |
| negative: | Not exactly cheap A little larger than other more common 50s |
| comment: | I love this lens It s sharp and gives good color and contrast. I compared this lesn wide open with Sony 50 1.4 at 2.8 and I couldnt tell a difference. It s solidly built. The optic recesses quite far inside so You dont really need a protecting filter. For portrait, it might not give your DOF like 1.7 or 1.4 but at 2.8, it promises you among the sharpest money can buy. Certainly more versatile than the 100 2.8 Macro. You can pretty much travel with this lens and this lens only. Portraits, reasonable landscape, macro, or even low light..you name it. |
| tgx78#6740 date: Jan-14-2010 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | CZ 85mm f/1.4 Sony 50mm f/1.4 |
| price paid: | 200 CDN (new) |
| positive: | Sharp low distortion |
| negative: | build quality questionable |
| comment: | Bought this lens on Boxing Week Special for 1/2 price. Very Sharp and detailed rendition of the close subject right out of f/2.8. Focus Limiter works pretty well but I mainly use Manual Focus. Little too much plastic for my taste after using Nikon and old Minolta Lenses. Works very well in both APS-c and full frame bodies. recommended. |
| bms44974#5414 date: May-20-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | missing |
| price paid: | 459 USD (new) |
| positive: | compact smooth focus ring focus limiter |
| negative: | it's only 50mm build could be better |
| comment: | I've used this lens for about three years now. At 2.8, it's the fastest lens in my bag so, in addition to macro work, I put it into general service from time to time in low light situations (and when swapping lenses means loosing the shot). I use it a lot when creating focus stacks and find the manual focus ring to be smooth and easy to adjust in very small increments. The front lens element is recessed too far inside the lens body for easy cleaning and, after 3 years, there are now imperfections in the coating on this element. I don't often use it in AF mode, but it seems to be accurate enough when I do. The 50mm focal length is less than I would like from time to time, but overall, I've been happy with my purchase. |
| AsuAmo#5051 date: Mar-18-2009 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.7 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Min. 50/1.4 Sony 100/2.8 macro Sig. 30/1.4 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Very well build, small size Fast and smooth focus Sharp (sig. 70 or sony 100 macros are better) |
| negative: | Colors may be too rich There are better choices for portraits or indoor shooting |
| comment: | I didn't do "real" macro, but it was my lens of choice for leaves and flowers. Bokeh was ok, but I expected more (can be my limited experience). 50/2.8 completely outperformed my Min. 50/1.4 outdoor and was a bit better than Sig. 30/1.4. Indoor or portraits - Minolta or Sigma fired better. If number of lenses in the bag is not a big issue 50 and 100 Sony macros will complement each other very well. |
| acinonyx12345#5018 date: Mar-12-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50 2.8 MACRO |
| price paid: | 350 € |
| positive: | Sharp ++++ Cheap |
| negative: | Plastic build AF a bit slow and noisy |
| comment: | Excellent lens. Ultra sharp. Very good with A900. AF is not improved when compared with old Minolta 50 MACRO 2.8. Waiting for a new ringflash from Sony. |
| Rammstein_1991_#4911 date: Feb-25-2009 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50/1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Very sharp Bokeh Build quality Lightweight and compact Colors |
| negative: | Front element is a bit hard to reach to clean |
| comment: | A very sharp macro lens, also quiet good for portrait Colors are really great. Very good lens overall, IMO easier to work with than a 100mm macro |
| ihlbcn#4466 date: Dec-4-2008 | |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 2 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.1 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 100mm f2.8 Macro. |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | Good bokeh. Great sharpness corner to corner. Lower CA compared to 100mm. |
| negative: | It has CA. Build quality. |
| comment: | I tested few days ago this lens and I was able to compare it with my 100mm Macro. I found it's better on CA, a little bit sharper but on the same level (both fantastic), the focus works a little bit better. Build is not good but almost the lens is let's say cheap. Color is the typical Minolta color. |
| Webguyyy#4378 date: Nov-14-2008 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 100mm F2.8 |
| price paid: | $375 CDN (used) |
| positive: | Compact, lightweight, sharp. Faster focusing than the Sony 100mm F2.8. Build quality. |
| negative: | Recessed front element (hard to reach to clean). Short working distance (to be expected). |
| comment: | Already had the Sony 100mm F2.8, but thought the 50mm F2.8, would be a nice size for travel, since it's quite compact (3/8" longer than my 50mm F1.4), wider field of view and had a chance to get a 4 month old copy for an excellent price. With the closer working distance, I wasn't sure how useful it would be, but I admit I was quite surprised overall. The 50mm F2.8, definitely has some advantages over the 100mm F2.8 Sony - smaller, lighter, less expensive, greater depth of field, wider field of view and to my surprise it focuses faster than the 100mm F2.8 Sony (I expected it to be slower focusing like a typical macro lens). It's a well built little lens, quite sharp as all macros are suppose to be. Better build quality than the less expensive Sigma 50mm F2.8. The smaller size of the 50mm is easier to hold steady, compared to the 100mm. Great for those that want a well built less expensive macro lens, require closer working distances, want a compact macro lens for travel or a dual purpose macro/portrait lens for a c sensor camera. Being 50mm it makes a nice portrait focal length lens on a c sensor camera (not as fast as the 1.7's or 1.4's but not bad). Overall, I was quite surprised, how much I like the compact 50mm macro. |
| fute77#4219 date: Oct-12-2008 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I used to own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50/1.7 |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | very sharp color are great fast focusing for macro lens including with the 5D |
| negative: | sometimes a little slow if you do not use the limit focusing mode |
| comment: | just one sentence : "You know what ? I am happy" In APS-C it is also interesting to use for portrait |
| AndrewJD#3549 date: May-4-2008 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 overall: 4.6 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony 50mm 1.4, Minolta 50mm 1.7 |
| price paid: | 50,000 JYN |
| positive: | * Light * Sharp even at f2.8 * Focus range limiter switch |
| negative: | * Body isn't metal? :( |
| comment: | I was somewhat hesitant in getting this lens at first, but it has become one of the most invaluable lenses in my collection. It's sturdy, easy to use and works perfectly in macro and 'standard' situations. I have no bad words for this lens other than the focus ring doesn't sit fully tight - there is a little bit of give when focusing. Apart from this, insignificant as it is, I can't fault it. Unless you want the wide open 1.4 / 1.7 of the standard 50mm lenses, I would go with this hands down everytime. |
| jmco#3228 date: Feb-1-2008 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | AF Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8D |
| price paid: | missing |
| positive: | very nice build smooth mechanism |
| negative: | none |
| comment: | A very nicely made macro. Color is excellent. Sharpness is excellent. Great lens. |
| Dr. Harout#3214 date: Jan-28-2008 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sigma 50/2.8 Macro DG EX |
| price paid: | 635 USD (new) |
| positive: | Everything |
| negative: | still couldn't find any |
| comment: | Better built than Sigma 50/2.8 DG EX, better handling, more beautiful (that is important). Sharpness is excellent. Focus limiter is much better than Sigma's. Color rendition is very accurate. Further remarks: After extensive use, the manual focusing ring couldn't work on one side (from close to far), so tried to fix it myself. It came out that the outer ring for focusing is completely from rubbery-plastic. Anyway, I did fix it, and now works again brilliantly. On a99, it's a joy. I finally got back to see through it as a 50mm and not a 75mm as in APS-C. Don't hesitate in buying this lens. |
| Kwozzie#3037 date: Dec-4-2007 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 50/1.7 (for panorama) |
| price paid: | 899NZD (new) |
| positive: | SHARP!! Very precise focus and incremental focus adjust. range limit switch focus lock/DOF preview button |
| negative: | If you ignore price, there are none. |
| comment: | As I only bought the lens today and I'm still experimenting with it and will update this post in due course. I read the earlier review and note that the focus ring does have a small amount of play akin to the steering wheel response of my old mans 1964 HR Holden!! BUT!! - After using the lens for the first time I've discovered that the "play" actually helps with fine manual focusing especially if you only want a very small increment of focus adjustment. **Update 5/11/07** Wow!! I love this lens, don't know why I held off getting it for so long. Great colour, very sharp. |
| nbearoz#1210 date: Sep-21-2006 | |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 4.8 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I have experience with this lens |
| compared to: | Minolta 28mm F2.8 |
| price paid: | 779 AUD (new) |
| positive: | Very sharp! Feels good on the A100 |
| negative: | Feels a bit too light Focus ring rattles slightly Expensive |
| comment: | It's made in Japan, not China as expected. I have not had a macro lens since my old Rokkor 50/3.5 in the 70s and had forgotten how useful they are. The sharpness is wonderful, noticeably more than my 28mm which may not be a good copy. I am awaiting a 50/1.7 from eBay, so the comparison will be interesting. I have tried it for portraits and it picks up every skin blemish! There appear to be no back/front focus problems, although it can be slow finding focus. The build is Ok, but it feels very light and the focus ring has some play in it. I bought it at a discounted price, but it is still expensive at AUD779 (USD586). |
reviews found: 28
rating summary
- total reviews: 28
- sharpness: 4.88
- color: 4.93
- build: 4.21
- distortion: 4.93
- flare control: 4.71
- overall: 4.73
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