105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art Impression

The new 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art is a medium telephoto macro lens which supports up to life-size 1:1 macro magnification by itself. The best-in-class image quality was achieved by the new design taking full advantage of the short flange focal distance of mirrorless camera system. The working distance, which is crucial to macro photography, is 141mm (at life-size magnification) at any focal point because the total length of the lens does not change even when focusing. In addition, the quick autofocus employing the Hyper Sonic Motor and the dust- and splash-proof structure back up shooting in any situation. It is available in the L-Mount and the Sony E-Mount. Here, we will introduce this lens in detail along with the sample images.

A macro lens is used to shoot small subjects at a higher magnification ratio and it has to have high optical performance to capture the finest detail. The 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art delivers stunning resolution as well as clear and beautiful bokeh from the widest aperture by minimizing chromatic aberration causing out-of-focus color shift and low resolution. The outstanding sharpness, accurate color reproduction, narrow angle of view allowing almost no perspective, and effectively corrected distortion work to capture the detail, texture, freshness, spirit and even history of the subject. Plus, the soft bokeh both in the front and the back of the subject helps to emphasize the main part of the subject presenting the new world that cannot be captured with the naked eye. And in terms of usability, the 141mm working distance at life-size magnification brings more freedom in shooting, making it the best macro lens for beginners as well.

Using a macro lens does not mean that you always have to get close to the subject. The 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art also realizes extremely high definition even at middle and long distances. The high resolution and excellent contrast throughout the frame at wide open is a distinctive advantage of the fixed-focal lens design. The comfortable autofocus by the hypersonic motor and the dust- and splash-proof structure assure the best performance in any situation including landscape and snap photography.

105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art
(L-mount / Sony E-mount)

MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
(SIGMA SA mount / NIKON F mount / CANON EF mount)

The 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art employs the brand-new design utilizing the short flange focal distance of mirrorless camera systems. Therefore, the lens construction is completely different from the MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM for DSLR cameras even though their focal lengths and the F-value are identical. The best-in-class image quality was achieved by correcting axial color aberration which can only be corrected optically, while utilizing in-camera correction to minimize vignetting and distortion. Let us explain in detail about this lens in the following.

* Red boxes are enlarged. All shot at F2.8 at the minimum focus distance.

The 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art is far superior to the MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM which is also high enough. This is the result of the minimization of chromatic aberration. The extremely small amount of color shift of the out-of-focus area increases the clarity as well.

* Red boxes are enlarged. All shot at F2.8.

Compared with the MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM and the 105mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. While the design standards for macro lenses can be different from the one for common non-macro lenses because of its special characteristics, this lens realizes sharp rendition throughout the frame at wide open even when taking long distance shots. Even when compared with the 105mm F1.4 DG HSM, almost the same high-definition image quality is obtained.

The magnification ratio of the 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art is "life size” or "1:1,” but what do we mean by it? The center of the image on the upper left has a hand-written frame of 36 x 24mm whose size is identical to the image sensor of the camera and the same image was shot at the highest magnification ratio (minimum focus distance at the telephoto end) with a standard zoom lens for the E-mount. You can see the field coverage is much wider than the 36mm frame. The image on the right side, on the other hand, was shot at the highest magnification (minimum focus distance) with this lens and the area coverage is identical to the 36mm frame. Shooting the subject at its real size (1x) on the image sensor is called "life size” or "1:1.” There are in fact many lenses that can get close to the subject, but the key feature of a macro lens is how big the subject can be captured on the frame, let alone how close it can get to the subject.

While minimum focus distance is the one between the image sensor of the camera and the shortest focal point of the lens, working distance means the distance between the front element of the lens and the shortest focal plane. Working distance is particularly important for a macro lens because it determines how far the front element can be away from the subject. The longer the working distance is, the less likely the subject is overshadowed by lighting equipment and living objects are disturbed by the lens itself.
* The symbol in the red circle in the image below indicates the image sensor plane.

The working distance of the 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO | Art at its minimum focus distance is 141mm (84mm with the hood on). The one of the 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art is 59mm (55.8mm with the hood on). This means that the working distance of this lens is longer than the one of the 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art by up to 82mm.