Salted Line A6XXX. Port for Sony 50mm macro

[Hector1959]

According to Meikon and Seafrogs websites this lens (Sony 50 mm Macro) only fits in the Flat long macro port. I wonder If anyone has tried and succeed in using it with the standard port.

This lens is 71 mm long not much more than the extended 16-50mm. The 18-50 mm, that is said to fit in this standard port, is 60mm retracted and should be much more extended.

 

[Barmaglot]

Unlike 30mm and 90mm macro lenses, the 50mm f/2.8 FE macro lens extends quite a bit in order to focus, so while it might fit into the port in its collapsed state, it bump into the glass and fail to focus at close subjects. Meikon site specifies that it can fit into the short flat port from A7 II housings (older generation), but keep in mind that this lens is also known to have problems focusing underwater on cameras earlier than A6400.

For a macro solution more affordable than SEL90M28G, the new Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro looks interesting, and by the looks of it, it should fit into the long port for 55-210mm lens - the Sigma extends, but so does the Sony 55-210mm, and their dimensions are quite similar - but it may vignette while retracted to focus on more distant subjects; no way to know without testing, and it will be quite an expensive test if it doesn't work.

 

[Hector1959]

Thanks for your reply.
I haven't taken into account that it might extend. No macro solution seems "affordable" for this camera-housing. I had given my best chances to the 50mm (even buying the Seafrogs port) but you now alert me about the focusing problems. I had read "conflicting" stories about this focus problem but I take your comments very seriously. I' ll keep using the kit lens + diopters until I feel confident about what macro lens to buy. Same for WA but here there are more options.

 

[Barmaglot]

Keep in mind that I have no personal experience with any Sony macro lenses except the 90mm, so my info is second-hand at best. That said, I've seen multiple complaints on Wetpixel about both 50mm f/2.8 FE and the APS-C 50mm Sony-Zeiss having serious problems focusing underwater, to the point of being unable to focus at all. Conversely, Phil Rudin's recent review of A6400 described the focus with 50mm FE as fast and accurate, and the A6400 has an updated autofocus engine (shared, I believe, with A9), and the complaints date from A6000/A6300/A6500, so it's possible that the new generation of body has resolved those issues. However, even with the new body solving autofocus problems, the fact remains that working distance at close focus with 50mm is very short - it achieves 1:1 magnification just 20cm from the sensor plane, and almost all of that distance is taken up by the lens and port, leaving little space for lighting, and none at all for supermacro with diopters.

For myself, I bit the bullet and got a second-hand 90mm. Expensive and heavy, but good working distance and great quality. Focusing speed is okay in good light, but holding the camera steady is absolutely critical - a bit of current or surge moving you around and it will not focus at all. For supermacro, I recently got a Weefine WFL05S but haven't had a chance to take it on a dive yet. Basic tests in my kitchen sink produced a working distance of about 2-3cm from front element, which will make lighting challenging, but focus speed and accuracy seem to be fine.

 

[Hector1959]

Keep in mind that I have no personal experience with any Sony macro lenses except the 90mm, so my info is second-hand at best. That said, I've seen multiple complaints on Wetpixel about both 50mm f/2.8 FE and the APS-C 50mm Sony-Zeiss having serious problems focusing underwater, to the point of being unable to focus at all. Conversely, Phil Rudin's recent review of A6400 described the focus with 50mm FE as fast and accurate, and the A6400 has an updated autofocus engine (shared, I believe, with A9), and the complaints date from A6000/A6300/A6500, so it's possible that the new generation of body has resolved those issues. However, even with the new body solving autofocus problems, the fact remains that working distance at close focus with 50mm is very short - it achieves 1:1 magnification just 20cm from the sensor plane, and almost all of that distance is taken up by the lens and port, leaving little space for lighting, and none at all for supermacro with diopters.

For myself, I bit the bullet and got a second-hand 90mm. Expensive and heavy, but good working distance and great quality. Focusing speed is okay in good light, but holding the camera steady is absolutely critical - a bit of current or surge moving you around and it will not focus at all. For supermacro, I recently got a Weefine WFL05S but haven't had a chance to take it on a dive yet. Basic tests in my kitchen sink produced a working distance of about 2-3cm from front element, which will make lighting challenging, but focus speed and accuracy seem to be fine.

Thanks for your reply.
It is difficult to find a second hand 90 mm at affordable prices. Maybe the lens is too new and there are little opportunities in second hand. I gave a look at your earlier suggestion for the Sigma 70mm and I wonder if it it wouldn't be too long when extended. I wouls also check for what othres have to say about focusing underwater or other possible issues.

 

[Barmaglot]

SEL90M28G was released in 2015, so it isn't exactly new, but macro lenses are a fairly low volume niche and I suspect that it's simply such a good lens that it doesn't depreciate much in the used market. I paid $770 for mine including shipping to Israel; bought it via FredMiranda forums.

 

[Hector1959]

SEL90M28G was released in 2015, so it isn't exactly new, but macro lenses are a fairly low volume niche and I suspect that it's simply such a good lens that it doesn't depreciate much in the used market. I paid $770 for mine including shipping to Israel; bought it via FredMiranda forums.

Ok, thanks for the information. I' ll keep checking

Regards