A 60mm 2.8 macro or a 90mm 2.5 macro, both adpated analog lenses fully manual focusing and with aperture ring, you do NOT need autofocus for macro photography, in fact it can be a pain to use autofocus for macr shooting, I do not even use the focus ring for focusing, I use it for selecting the size that I want and the I "focus" by slightly moving back and forth a iny bit to catch focus, this is the best way to focus for macro photography which I guess that most keen macro photographers know how to use !
Ever tried shooting macro 1:1 without tripod? It's nearly impossible to get a pixel sharp shot. Image stabilizers work very poorly at those distances. The thing is that this lens is probably the sharpest macro on the market. Because it does not have a stabilizer. Stabilizers introduces more optical elements and constructions that will harm image quality. It doesn't matter that one with can be very good. A macro wihout will be sharper. The extending tube when focusing is annoying yes, but considering how good Sigma is with both stabilizers and optics this is probably necessary to get this sharpness. The MFT on the lens is simply stellar. Even if you don't think this difference with show, slap an extension tube on there and use a high resolution sensor and it will show. Trust me.
Have you tested the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro? I think it's at least as sharp as this Sigma, provided one can achieve optimal focus with it! Also, I expect the upcoming 105 f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor S lena to be sharper still, given the superb sharpness of most of the NIkkor S lenses on the Z mount. Looking forward to further macro lens test comparisons.
Hi, good job! only one thing: for firmware update, on E-mount Sigma lenses, you can do it connecting the camera with the lens mounted on, because the Sigma Dock is not available on E-mount lenses. So, that's not an issue.
Thanks for the video buddy. I just got the Sony 50mm f2.8 Macro lens. Quite curious as I am definitely not a person that does a lot of macro photography. So it will be quite challenging when I'll do my little review :)
Nice video mate, I just picked one up yesterday specifically for product videography and photography, it's going on a Sony A7RIII so this IBIS will compensate for the lack of any built in image stabilisation.
I rented this lens last year. I'm actually thinking about buying it. The auto focus is not the best, but manageable...well at least to me lol. Great review bro!
I've owned this lens for about a year know and I'm happy to say that the cons of this lens are very circumstantial. 95% of the time I'm shooting macro beauty with this lens and the AF is a decent amount accurate. Honestly for stills you won't many issues AF wise.
Great video as always. I do a lot of food photography when I'm on a cruise ship. Most of the time, not much of natural sunlight. With no image stabilization, would you recommend this for food photography or some other lenses?
I have had this lens since summer 2018, and I must disagree with you about the autofocusing. If you set the focus limiter the lens does wonderful continuous micro autofocusing of small moving insects. I use this all the time with super results. The lens' detail, sharpness and pop are truly Art lens quality. FYI , I am an award-winning pro of over 40 years and can afford whatever gear I need, and I love this lens. The IQ is stunning. I use it on my Sony cameras , so no problem, I have IBIS. And on the Sony version you can do lens updates through the camera, no dock needed. All Sigma Art lenses in E-mount do updates through the Sony camera. You need to say which lens version you are testing and know the differences when using other versions. Be a little more thorough please. Cheers
Any lens including this one is going to be quite capable in the right hands. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the 90mm. They just dont compare. Just one man's opinion though.
@@StefanMalloch , yes, products priced significantly apart should not be compared as "apples to apples." This is an unusual lens, but it delivers a reference optical quality for a very modest price. The price is a direct result of the simplified mechanical design. The optical quality is in the same class as the $1400 Sigma 40mm art lens.
I am not sure why most people reviewing this camera talks about how long it takes to focus. If you are a photography geek, focusing is fun, especially with macro where you need to slow down anyways... The fun is getting the shot.. so who cares how long it takes to focus.
Very useful video thanks a lot. I’m buying Sony a7iii and was wondering if the kit lens 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 can be good for food photography? Or should I buy this macro lens? Appreciated!
Nice video. I'm using the Sony a6400 and I do food photography for fun. Could I still use this lens without image stabilization handheld for food photography?
@@StefanMalloch thanks. That would be tough as most of the macro I plan to take are food pictures during dinner on a cruise ship. It'd be weird or I don't know how I can set up a tripod in a crowded dining room. Would the Sony 90mm be a better choice since it has image stabilization and my Sony a6400 doesn't. Can I use the 90mm handheld without a tripod?
I love macro lenses and have a collection from old vintage lenses to the sony 90mm. I also have adapted the older lighter sigma 105/2.8 (with aperture dial-nikon) to sony and the results are excellent. I also just got the tamron 24mmf2.8 which also does great macro with great wide perspective & becomes 1:1 when one crops on the a7r4. AF is accurate though makes a click sound but nothing like the sigma 70. The sony is the most ergonomic and versatile and if one looks one can find it much cheaper than the official price. The sigma 105 (400+grams) is lighter than the sony - got it almost new for 150$ and has a manual focus limiter - IQ is probably the same as the later updated sigma lenses with better af motors & stabilization. Good vintage macro lenses adapt very easily to the sony R series and oone of myfavorites is the canon fl 50mm/3.5. The sony is easily the most ergonomic and versatile and if one looks one can find it much cheaper than the official price. I use it for macro - for landscape - for architecture - for video & the tamron 24 compliments it for travel too
will the sigma 70mm macro art for sony work with 3rd party electronic macro extensions by companies like meike/neewer to gain more magnification? asking coz of the wired by focus thing. if anyone knows or have seen this lens work with extension tube please help me out with this info. TIA
At that magnification, you're not really relying on AF anyways, MF should work. Can't confirm but its just a spacer really and has connections so you should be good.
Sigma's x1.4 and x2 teleconverters for their tele-zooms are also compatible with this macro, so it can be 98mm F4 or 140mm F5.6 with higher magnification. There's a table on their site.
If you're a wedding photographer, and you're not using a tripod with this thing... You're going to HATE the auto focus. Getting close to buying this lens? DON'T. It took me 30mins to just get shots with the wedding rings while hand held. Out of those 30mins, I only got about 5-7 usable images. It's not worth it. Get the 90mm. I'm returning this 70mm right now.
Whats is your go to macro lens?
I prefer the Laowa 100mm f2.8 infinity-2:1
A 60mm 2.8 macro or a 90mm 2.5 macro, both adpated analog lenses fully manual focusing and with aperture ring, you do NOT need autofocus for macro photography, in fact it can be a pain to use autofocus for macr shooting, I do not even use the focus ring for focusing, I use it for selecting the size that I want and the I "focus" by slightly moving back and forth a iny bit to catch focus, this is the best way to focus for macro photography which I guess that most keen macro photographers know how to use !
its not fair to test focusing with a lens cap on
Ever tried shooting macro 1:1 without tripod? It's nearly impossible to get a pixel sharp shot. Image stabilizers work very poorly at those distances. The thing is that this lens is probably the sharpest macro on the market. Because it does not have a stabilizer. Stabilizers introduces more optical elements and constructions that will harm image quality. It doesn't matter that one with can be very good. A macro wihout will be sharper. The extending tube when focusing is annoying yes, but considering how good Sigma is with both stabilizers and optics this is probably necessary to get this sharpness. The MFT on the lens is simply stellar. Even if you don't think this difference with show, slap an extension tube on there and use a high resolution sensor and it will show. Trust me.
Have you tested the Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro? I think it's at least as sharp as this Sigma, provided one can achieve optimal focus with it! Also, I expect the upcoming 105 f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor S lena to be sharper still, given the superb sharpness of most of the NIkkor S lenses on the Z mount. Looking forward to further macro lens test comparisons.
Hi, good job! only one thing: for firmware update, on E-mount Sigma lenses, you can do it connecting the camera with the lens mounted on, because the Sigma Dock is not available on E-mount lenses. So, that's not an issue.
I will go without a macro lens rather than use this one. Saving for the Sony 90mm
I chose this over the Sony 90mm and love it, read what I said above. Cheers
Thanks for the video buddy. I just got the Sony 50mm f2.8 Macro lens. Quite curious as I am definitely not a person that does a lot of macro photography. So it will be quite challenging when I'll do my little review :)
Nice video mate, I just picked one up yesterday specifically for product videography and photography, it's going on a Sony A7RIII so this IBIS will compensate for the lack of any built in image stabilisation.
I rented this lens last year. I'm actually thinking about buying it. The auto focus is not the best, but manageable...well at least to me lol. Great review bro!
Thanks bud
I've owned this lens for about a year know and I'm happy to say that the cons of this lens are very circumstantial. 95% of the time I'm shooting macro beauty with this lens and the AF is a decent amount accurate. Honestly for stills you won't many issues AF wise.
Great video as always. I do a lot of food photography when I'm on a cruise ship. Most of the time, not much of natural sunlight. With no image stabilization, would you recommend this for food photography or some other lenses?
I have had this lens since summer 2018, and I must disagree with you about the autofocusing. If you set the focus limiter the lens does wonderful continuous micro autofocusing of small moving insects. I use this all the time with super results. The lens' detail, sharpness and pop are truly Art lens quality. FYI , I am an award-winning pro of over 40 years and can afford whatever gear I need, and I love this lens. The IQ is stunning. I use it on my Sony cameras , so no problem, I have IBIS. And on the Sony version you can do lens updates through the camera, no dock needed. All Sigma Art lenses in E-mount do updates through the Sony camera. You need to say which lens version you are testing and know the differences when using other versions. Be a little more thorough please. Cheers
Any lens including this one is going to be quite capable in the right hands. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the 90mm. They just dont compare. Just one man's opinion though.
@@StefanMalloch , yes, products priced significantly apart should not be compared as "apples to apples." This is an unusual lens, but it delivers a reference optical quality for a very modest price. The price is a direct result of the simplified mechanical design. The optical quality is in the same class as the $1400 Sigma 40mm art lens.
Gerald Williams, you are absolutely right. This is a reference optical quality lens; most people prefer convenience instead, of course.
Does it require the dock to update? That's weird, my 35mm 1.4 art can do it without it. Great review!
Not for Emount. Should have specified.
Hi Stefan. Thanks for the video, very usefull as all your videos. This 70 macro is as sharp as the 90 macro, less sharp or more sharp?
I Def agree with the stabilization thing. It is a massive pain some times with this lense
I am not sure why most people reviewing this camera talks about how long it takes to focus. If you are a photography geek, focusing is fun, especially with macro where you need to slow down anyways... The fun is getting the shot.. so who cares how long it takes to focus.
Very useful video thanks a lot. I’m buying Sony a7iii and was wondering if the kit lens 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 can be good for food photography? Or should I buy this macro lens? Appreciated!
I have a question. What happens if you leave the lens in manual mode, then power off. Will the lens retract? Or stay? Thank you.
Nice video. I'm using the Sony a6400 and I do food photography for fun. Could I still use this lens without image stabilization handheld for food photography?
Sure you could but when you get into macro range, you'll want a tripod.
@@StefanMalloch thanks. That would be tough as most of the macro I plan to take are food pictures during dinner on a cruise ship. It'd be weird or I don't know how I can set up a tripod in a crowded dining room. Would the Sony 90mm be a better choice since it has image stabilization and my Sony a6400 doesn't. Can I use the 90mm handheld without a tripod?
What do you think about 105mm sigma 2.8 , what Is better?
Looks good if you're sticking to macro.
Good review. Really helped a lot. I have subscribed..
Thanks for the support bud.
You do NOT need autofocu for macro, it is easier to do it manual. The Sigma lens should have an aperture ring !
Check Laowa 100mm f2.8 2X macro
Would love to get my hand on one
I love macro lenses and have a collection from old vintage lenses to the sony 90mm. I also have adapted the older lighter sigma 105/2.8 (with aperture dial-nikon) to sony and the results are excellent. I also just got the tamron 24mmf2.8 which also does great macro with great wide perspective & becomes 1:1 when one crops on the a7r4. AF is accurate though makes a click sound but nothing like the sigma 70. The sony is the most ergonomic and versatile and if one looks one can find it much cheaper than the official price. The sigma 105 (400+grams) is lighter than the sony - got it almost new for 150$ and has a manual focus limiter - IQ is probably the same as the later updated sigma lenses with better af motors & stabilization. Good vintage macro lenses adapt very easily to the sony R series and oone of myfavorites is the canon fl 50mm/3.5. The sony is easily the most ergonomic and versatile and if one looks one can find it much cheaper than the official price. I use it for macro - for landscape - for architecture - for video & the tamron 24 compliments it for travel too
Sony does have in body stabilization so lacking OS on a lens is not a huge deal.
Not on macro photography
Which macro lens would you recommend for the Panasonic S1H?
Thanks for this but ya, 90mm for the win!
will the sigma 70mm macro art for sony work with 3rd party electronic macro extensions by companies like meike/neewer to gain more magnification? asking coz of the wired by focus thing. if anyone knows or have seen this lens work with extension tube please help me out with this info. TIA
At that magnification, you're not really relying on AF anyways, MF should work. Can't confirm but its just a spacer really and has connections so you should be good.
@@StefanMalloch Thank you for the information Stefan, really appreciate your videos.
Sigma's x1.4 and x2 teleconverters for their tele-zooms are also compatible with this macro, so it can be 98mm F4 or 140mm F5.6 with higher magnification. There's a table on their site.
Will this lens work on aps-c sensor?
If you're a wedding photographer, and you're not using a tripod with this thing... You're going to HATE the auto focus. Getting close to buying this lens? DON'T. It took me 30mins to just get shots with the wedding rings while hand held. Out of those 30mins, I only got about 5-7 usable images. It's not worth it. Get the 90mm. I'm returning this 70mm right now.
No image stabilisation is not relevant because a true macro photographer uses a flash with diffuser and shoots at high shutter speeds.
can you use this on a sony a7iii?
Yes
90 MM sony you have the cap on so performance not real on focus
i have two 10euro macro rings, problem solved :)
me too, but it's not the same kind of results at all
Get your economics right bro or redefine "Budget"
This is not the Art lens.
You are correct!
Thanks, Christopher Frost ✌🏻