Best Macro lens 90-150mm

[Musashichan]

Hi,
I'm doing a lot of macro/proxi shoots, like those : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156023926746328.1073741940.601471327&type=1&l=da05719da7
Using o lot the fore/background to make textures.
I'm searching for the best macro lens to do that, as i sometimes need to be very close to the subject. My prefered range is 105 to 135mm but i can handle a 90mm or more than 135mm (not 200mm, it's too much for me).
I'm using a Sony A7.

Could you recommand a lens which offer great textures and sharpness on the subject ?
thanks a lot !
Yann

[calvin83]

Most macro lens are sharp enough for the 24MP sensor, especially stopped down.

[Musashichan]

[D1N0]

Look for this one: https://www.flickr.com/groups/46164499@N00/pool/

according to Pentax forums all of these lenses share it's optical design:
Lester A Dine 105mm Macro f2.8 (marketed as dental lens)
Kiron 105mm Macro f2.8 (Kino Precisions own lens name)
Vivitar Series 1 105mm Macro f2.5
Vivitar 100mm Macro f2.8
Ricoh Rikenon 105mm f2.8

[calvin83]

The Vivitar/Tokina 90/2.5 is good from wide open on my old camera but it only focus down to 1:2 without the tube.

The upcoming Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 110mm F2.5 for E-mount may be a good choice if you want best possible wide open performance. It should works well on 42MP sensor too.

[cooltouch]

A perennial favorite, and one that is not too expensive is the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.5 macro. Outstandingly sharp with good bokeh.

Another worth considering, if you can find one, but that is usually more expensive on places like eBay is the Vivitar 135mm Close Focus lens. Although Vivitar never referred to it as a "macro" lens, it might as well be with its close focus feature. Another outstandingly sharp lens. The only Vivitar 135mm with a 62mm filter size, by the way. The Vivitar often sells for around twice as much as the Tamron.

Pentax made a 100mm f/4 Macro in both M42 and K-mount. I have a 100mm f/4 SMC-Tak in M42. Yet another great lens in terms of sharpness.

Canon's FD 100mm f/4 Macro is another very sharp lens worth considering. It has an interesting "focus damping" feature that I'm not all sure what it's intended for. Well, focus damping, obviously, but why? It's focusing collar already has a respectable amount of drag.

I own all four of the above lenses, as well as few other macros. I can personally recommend them based on photos I've taken with all of them.

[Musashichan]

Thanks a lot, i have models that seems to match to check...Vivitar seems perfect with its 1:1 and rendering, i'll see if it worth the price.
Thanks too for others recommandation, i'll check, i think i'll try anyway the tamron 90mm, i'll sell it back if not perfect but it seems to be very good for the price and i like that.
I have seen too the other apo-lanthar collection and it was my first choice but i really can't figure if the price is too high or if the lens totally worth it.

So thanks again guys, this is what i needed, some good recommandations to check !

[jamaeolus]

I can definitely recommend both the Kiron and the "Bokina" The Canon FD 100 is also quite good. Another to consider is the Pentax S-M-C 100mm which can be had for around a 100 USD.

[Musashichan]

[Abbazz]

[kypfer]

Another vote for the Tamron 90mm. I've got one of the originals, the Adaptall-2 type that uses the 2x Flat-Field converter to achieve 1:1 reproduction on a full-frame camera, but of course, this doubled the focal length. With a x1.4 Flat-field converter (if you can find one) this would give you both 90mm and 135mm macro lens. The later models used an extension tube to achieve similar results, though I imagine one could use a tube on the early lens as well ... I've not tried.

[PBFACTS]

[Musashichan]

For now i have order a Lester A Dine which seems to meet my requirements, i'll see if bokeh is smooth enough for me. It's difficult to find a lens with sharpness and nice bokeh, some are too rude with textures.
Someone recommend to me the Tokina 90 AT-x, i've seen some exemple which seems to be very nice so i'll find one too...

I checked the new apo-lanthar, i had a eye on the old version but i don't really like new lenses : price is too high and everyone seems to do the same pictures with them, it's full of the same bokeh on Flikr or FB etc.
A new Laowa 100mm 2,8 2:1 is announced to, if going on a modern lens, i'll benefit of the 2:1 ratio with a lens like this one !

Thanks agin, i'll come back to review, i want to try most of the lenses you recommanded !

[calvin83]

The focus throw of the Laowa 100mm F2.8 is very short .....

[caspert79]

My favourite is the Tokina 90/2.5.
One of those few lenses that always gave me spectacular results.

[Mike Deep]

The Tokina/Vivitar 90/2.5 is simply an incredible lens.

[eno789]

Before the new CV 110mm comes, here is my ranking of 90-150mm manual focus macro/close-up lenses:

1. Voigtländer Macro APO Lanthar 125mm ƒ/2.5 SL
   
2. Mamiya M645 120mm ƒ/4 A Macro M
   
3. Tokina AT-X MACRO 90mm ƒ/2.5 or the Vivitar a little earlier
   
4. Lester Dine/Kiron/Vivitar 105mm ƒ/2.8 MACRO
   
5. Vivitar 135mm ƒ/2.8 close focusing
   

[Musashichan]

[Musashichan]

Ok, i received the first salve of lenses. I made the "mistake" to choose the Vivitar 90mm f/2.5, but non made by Tokina. This mistake is not a real one, this lens is cheeper, 1:1 native and really really good for me. I'll see the difference with the Bokina when i'll find a real one.
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro by Yann Dubois, sur Flickr
I also choose a Vivitar / Lester Kiron 105mm f/2.8 which is also a 1:1 native macro lens. This one meets perfectly my requirements too, very creative, perfect bokeh and nice sharpness...i like the 105 / 2,8 ratio, it's perfect to isolate a subject on FF, easier to use than 90mm even if it's pretty close.
Lester A. Dine 105mm f/2.8 Macro by Yann Dubois, sur Flickr

Both are excatly what i like to work with : nice bokeh shapers in nature when you have something to put between the subject and the lens or behind...
I'm waiting a Kiron version (excepting the same, ill see), and i'm searching now a Tokina 90mm, and maybe a Canon 135mm...i'm pretty close to my "Graal"...
Thanks again for your help ! I'll update !

[Musashichan]

Lester A. Dine 105mm f/2.8 Macro by Yann Dubois, sur Flickr
Lester A. Dine 105mm f/2.8 Macro by Yann Dubois, sur Flickr
Vivitar 90mm f/2.5 Macro by Yann Dubois, sur Flickr