It’s old-school, but it’s still got it.
Looking every inch a throwback to the last
century, the venerable Nikon 60mm macro is a D-mount lens, complete with
aperture ring at the rear of the barrel and another ring further forward for
switching between autofocus and manual focus modes. The arrangement doesn’t
find favour in Nikon’s more recent designs.
Nikon does make a newer 60mm G-mount macro
lens, which is like a scaled-up version of the 40mm for full-frame cameras.
Unlike the 40mm lens and the D-mount 60mm, it features internal focusing, but
it’s more expensive to buy. In previous tests, we weren’t too impressed with
the 60mm f/2.8G’s sharpness either.
The 60mm f/2.8D lacks an internal focus
motor so it can’t autofocus on bodies like the D3200 and D5100, which lack an
autofocus motor built into the camera body. This is a pain for general
shooting, but fine for manual focusing in macro photography.
Performance
On bodies with an internal autofocus motor,
focusing speed is a bit sluggish but not much slower than in the Nikon 40mm
that features a ring-type ultrasonic system. The focus limit switch works
rather better, as it can lock the range to both the close-up or longer-distance
sections of the travel. Focus travel itself is rather longer than with the 40mm
lens, smoother in operation, and comes with the benefit of a bigger and more
knobbly focus ring. Precision manual focusing for critical macro shots is a
joy.
Tech
focus
Eight elements in seven groups, seven
diaphragm blades, closest focus distance 22cm, 62mm filter thread, no autofocus
motor, physical dimensions 70x75mm, weight 440g
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Details
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Price: $548
Verdict
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Features: 3/5
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Build quality: 4/5
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Image quality: 4/5
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Value: 4/5
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Overall: 4/5
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Olympus M.ZUIKO ED 60mm f/2.8 Macro
Small but perfectly formed
Thanks to the 2x crop factor of the Micro
Four Thirds system, this lens has an effective focal length of 120mm. It loses
any pretence of doubling up as a ‘standard’ prime and is best regarded as a
specialist macro lens that’s also useful as a short telephoto. So it’s in
direct competition with the big boys for full-frame cameras, but is more
slimline and lightweight.
Clever features include the focus limit
switch - as well as three positions for short, long and full-range focusing,
there’s a handy fourth, non-locking setting that pushes the focus to its
closest setting. It’s useful when you want maximum magnification, because you
can hold the switch in place and move the camera back and forth until focus is
achieved. The distance scale features a red bar that moves back and forth under
a viewing window to indicate the focus distance. Autofocus is based on
Olympus’s whisper-quiet MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) system. It’s quick
for stills and smooth for video capture. Focusing is fully internal, so the lens
barrel doesn’t extend.
Performance
With its lightweight yet robust,
beautifully finished and weather-sealed build, the Olympus has impeccable
handling. The large manual focus ring is very smooth and offers immense
precision, while autofocus performance is excellent. As well as being great for
macro shots, it delivers superb telephoto images with a tight depth of field,
as sharpness at f/2.8 is incredible.
Tech focus
13 elements in ten groups, seven diaphragm
blades, closest focus distance 19cm, 46mm filter thread, MSC autofocus,
physical dimensions 56x82mm, weight 185g
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Details
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Price: $675
Verdict
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Features: 4/5
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Build quality: 5/5
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Image quality: 4/5
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Value: 4/5
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Overall: 4/5
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Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
A good all-rounder at a nice price
The Sigma 50mm comes in many mount options,
including Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony. Only the Canon and Sigma
editions however have a built-in autofocus motor. The others rely on being
driven from an in-camera motor, so users of Nikon D3200, D5100 and similar
cameras can only focus manually.
The size of the lens is typical of a 50mm
f/2.8 full-frame optic, at least at longer focus settings. However, the length
extends from 67mm to 105mm at its shortest focus setting, and that’s without
the supplied lens hood fitted. The front of the lens stretches to about 4cm
from the object you’re photographing in full lx magnification mode, which is a
bit on the close side. At least Sigma takes advantage of the extending barrel
to give a calibrated display of magnification factor through the focus range.
Focus distance itself is printed on the focus ring but isn’t neatly beneath a
viewing window, as with all the other lenses in the group.
Performance
We tested the Sigma on a Nikon D7000 body.
In this configuration, autofocus is a little slow and loud, but not alarmingly
so. A focus limiter switch helps performance in practical terms, as you can
select only short-range or long-range focusing. The focus travel is very long
and, with its smoothly operating focus ring, the Sigma enables precise manual
focusing for close-ups. Sharpness is good and consistent throughout most of the
aperture range, down to about f/16.
Tech
focus
Ten elements in nine groups, seven
diaphragm blades, closest focus distance 19cm, 55mm filter thread, electric
motor autofocus (Canon, Sigma), physical dimensions 72x67mm, weight 320g
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Details
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Price: $405
Verdict
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Features: 3/5
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Build quality: 3/5
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Image quality: 4/5
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Value: 4/5
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Overall: 4/5
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Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro
What price full-frame quality?
Costing considerably more than many
competing lenses, the Sony is the most expensive optic on test here. Despite
this, it lacks an internal autofocus motor and doesn’t have an internal focus
system. It’s a little shorter than the competing Sigma lens at the infinity
focus setting, but extends to a slightly longer 109mm at its closest focus
distance. Even so, the distance from the front of the lens to the object being
photographed is 1cm longer at 5cm.
Unlike the Sigma, the Sony’s focus ring
doesn’t rotate in autofocus mode, which improves handling. Better still, the
Sony not only features a similar focus limit switch to the Sigma, which locks
the available range either side of a medium focus distance, but it also has a
focus lock button on the side of the lens. It’s a useful addition and goes some
way to making up for the deficit of features in other areas, especially
considering the lens’s premium price.
Performance
Autofocus is reasonably rapid, but quite
noisy in operation. Manual focusing is fairly easy with the lens’s long focus
travel and generously proportioned manual focus ring. However, the ring’s
operation is a bit stiff and jerky, which can make things a little tricky at
very close focus distances. Sharpness is particularly impressive at apertures
between 171.8 and 1716, although colour fringing can be noticeable at large
apertures. Overall, the Sony is a solid performer but feels pricey for just
under $750.
Tech
focus
Seven elements in six groups, seven
diaphragm blades, closest focus distance 20cm, 55mm filter thread, no autofocus
motor, physical dimensions 72x60mm, weight 295g
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Details
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Price: $690
Verdict
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Features: 3/5
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Build quality: 4/5
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Image quality: 4/5
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Value: 3/5
·
Overall: 4/5
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