Sony’s New 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

credits: Sony

Sony has introduced the FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro G Master OSS, its first G Master lens built specifically for macro photography. The release comes a decade after the well-regarded 90mm f/2.8 G Macro OSS and brings with it several key upgrades.

Optically, the lens is built with 17 elements in 13 groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, plus Sony’s Nano AR Coating II to cut down on flare and ghosting. It uses an 11-blade circular aperture for smooth out-of-focus rendering. While the older 90mm lens offered a standard 1:1 ratio, the 100mm f/2.8 GM pushes to 1.4:1 natively, with a minimum working distance of just 3.5 inches. With teleconverters, it can reach up to 2.8:1 magnification while still maintaining autofocus.

Autofocus performance is also a big step forward. The lens uses four of Sony’s Linear XD motors (the same system found in its high-end telephoto primes) delivering focus speeds nearly twice as fast as the 90mm Macro. Physically, the lens is similar in size to its predecessor, measuring 147.9mm in length and weighing 646g, with a 67mm filter thread. It features internal focusing, a focus clutch, range limiter, and weather sealing. Pricing for the lens is at $1,499 with shipping scheduled to begin November 13. A closer look at the new lens will follow in this week’s Sunday magazine issue ;)

You can see full details on B&H’s website here