Sony A1 + 90mm macro suprise

[Interceptor121 843]

Last week I took my macro rig to the pool https://interceptor121.com/2023/03/27/going-macro-with-sony-a1-and-90mm-macro-lens/

Surprisingly the autofocus did not hunt. I had only two shots where I was doing a movement stress test and ended up focusing on the wrong target but otherwise 100% success

I do not know if the setting I adopted which were really for the worst case (focus limiter, aperture drive, etc etc) helped but I feel much more comfortable after this

@Phil Rudin has repeadtely said he use the 90mm for blackwater and @Alex_Mustard used the 90mm for blackwater in Lembeh and said he was pleased with it

I was skeptical due to topside use but frankly the A1 autofocus pretty much sees in the dark and the lens has beautiful rendereing wide open

[Barmaglot 262]

This is more of a testament to A1's AF engine. On older (and less expensive) Sony bodies, this lens is nowhere near as fast or accurate.

[Phil Rudin 485]

It also works very well with A7R V and a little less well with A7R IV. Prior cameras like the A7/R II focus was pretty awful. Considering the short period of time Sony has been selling full frame cameras the AF has improved from awful to world class in about six years.

[Interceptor121 843]

12 hours ago, Barmaglot said:

This is more of a testament to A1's AF engine. On older (and less expensive) Sony bodies, this lens is nowhere near as fast or accurate.

That's right I have not used the lens with other bodies so I commented on A1+90mm as I have read many complaints

The A1 computing speed and higher frame rate definitely helps a lot autofocus

[fruehaufsteher2 23]

Any Idea how it performs with the A7 IV?

[jplaurel 46]

On 3/28/2023 at 7:40 AM, fruehaufsteher2 said:

Any Idea how it performs with the A7 IV?

It’s quite good. I’m have both the A1 and A7 IV, and I hardly notice any difference. Nothing beats the Alpha 1, but I’d be perfectly happy to use the 90 for underwater macro with the A7 IV.

[fruehaufsteher2 23]

Great help and happy to hear that my actual gear isn’t the worst! 

[jplaurel 46]

On 4/2/2023 at 3:35 PM, fruehaufsteher2 said:

Great help and happy to hear that my actual gear isn’t the worst! 

A7IV is probably the best overall value of all underwater cameras right now. The only downside is that the field of view is cropped in 4k60p. Other than that, it's brilliant. And for some, that crop could even be considered an advantage for video when used with the EF 8-15 lens.