I may have stated in my last post that there would be no “weekend update” post today. Though that is technically the case, I was able to make some time to go on a much-needed photowalk with a friend downtown yesterday with my NEX-7 and trusty 105mm macro to get some more impressions on the lens for all types of photography. Just as I wrote about my “first” impressions with my 300mm f/2.8, I’ve had this wonderful macro for many months now, and it has been my go-to lens for product shots and “serious” macro work for its crazy edge-to-edge sharpness stopped down (just exactly how sharp remains to be determined via formal testing). However, with it’s fast f/2.8 aperture (providing the same shallow depth-of-field control as the 100mm f/2.8 Series-E), the 105mm f/2.8 can be used for anything from sports to portraits, if need be.
I hope to do some testing on this lens for the next few weeks when I can make some time, so don’t hold your breath for a full review by next weekend. 😉 All of the following taken near sunset through a walk in the city with the NEX-7 and this macro, handheld. First up, for most of the photowalk I had this strange fixation on seeing and capturing patterns. I’m not sure why, but so many stood out to me:
Two-Sided
105mm, ISO 100, f/8, 1/400
The Big C
105mm, ISO 100, f/8, 1/200
Warm Concrete Paneling
105mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/250
(Almost) American Colors
105mm, ISO 400, f/4, 1/200
High-Rise Lights
105mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/1250
Rounded Stairs
105mm, ISO 400, f/4, 1/200
Criss-Cross
105mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/160
Whew, in-between my constant search for patterns, I did try to spot some more “conventional” photographic opportunities. 🙂
Space Invader?
105mm, ISO 100, f/4, 1/400
Bulbously Blue
105mm, ISO 200, f/4, 1/640
Pine Cone-In-Training
105mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/400, 1:2 Magnification
Rusty Shadow
105mm, ISO 100, f/4, 1/250, 1:2 Magnification
Sparrow Among the Bushes
105mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/80
Sidewalk Carving
105mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/1640
Curious Courtyard Cat
105mm, ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/160 (Cropped)
Cold Winter Flower
105mm, ISO 800, f/4, 1/400, 1:3 Magnification
That’s all for these “first” impressions of my favorite macro for my NEX-7 guys and gals, thanks for dropping by!
Matthew Durr Photography 
Pine cone in training – very cute.
Many thanks. 🙂
Fantastic work in here, Matthew. I really like “two-sided” and the warm-concrete one. Looks like a beast of a lens, too! How’s the balance?
Thank you Martin, it’s a heck of a lens in looks, but it’s surprisingly light-weight for what it is. Since it’s longer than it needs to be (for a 105mm f/2.8), the weight balances nicely over the entire left hand. The entire lens is essentially the focus ring! With the extension tube attached though, it feels more like a telescope. However, I never use it with the extension tube handheld; getting sharp images at anything greater than 1:2 magnification without a tripod is a crapshoot!