Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro review: Features
With the emphasis on affordability and price, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens is something of a no-frills affair in terms of its feature set. Optically, the lens is constructed of eight elements in seven groups, and has an aperture range of between f/2.8 and f/16. Its 50mm focal length offers a 47° angle of view on full-frame E-mount cameras.
More importantly, it offers 1:1 macro at a minimum focus distance of 16cm. There are seven circular aperture blades for that all-important smooth out-of-focus area, which is even more important when shooting macro images, and it has a 55mm filter thread. It should be noted that the lens isn’t optically stabilised, so owners of the first generation of Alpha 7-series cameras will need to keep an eye on shutter speeds and make sure the camera and lens are held steady when shooting macro images. Those with the second-generation Alpha 7-series cameras needn’t worry so much, as these have in-camera sensor-based stabilisation, which should give more flexibility to shoot handheld.
As an interesting aside, as the majority of Sony’s new cameras have sensor-based stabilisation, it is perhaps a chance for the company to introduce more of these affordable lenses without need for the additional expense associated with optically stabilised lenses.
