Review- Sony DT 30mm f/2.8 SAM Macro

March 2011, Carl Garrard Sony SAL30M28 30mm f/2.8 Lens for Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (See all Digital Camera Lenses)

Review Intro- Sony's Sony DT 30mm f/2.8 SAM Macro represents one of a few bargain lenses they offer for the A-Mount that retails for about $229.00. This lens is marketed towards the budget buyer mainly that wants to venture out and away from the standard kit lens for creative options yet doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg to do so. Sony introduced the 30mm f/2.8 Macro SAM lens officially in August of 2009 and remains in the actively available list of lenses to purchase. What are you getting for your money?

Well, I got my hands on one, so let's talk about it.

The Obvious Negatives- The build isn't top rate, yet it isn't bad either. Some wobble of the lens tubes, and about 1mm of play for the focus ring. The mount is plastic, which for me isn't a big deal as long as the lens performs well optically, but "re-sellers" will note that it lowers it's resale value. Also, it is a designated APS-C lens by Sony (yet see the positives).

CA's are dominant in high contrast regions at f2.8-4, start to diminish pretty well at f/5.6. Vignetting is a bit high at f/2.8 (but I've seen worse), contrast is low wide open.

The SAM motor is a bit noisy, especially when using CDAF focusing as it slows down and tries to find pinpoint focus, and finally it can hunt a bit which takes you through a longer than normal focus range because it is a macro (without a focus limiter switch). If you are going to use it for close up critters you better move very slowly as you need to get close to magnify your subjects (more a limitation of the focal length than anything else).

The Obvious Positives- It has a pleasant finish and a smoothly operating focusing ring. It has a simple distance scale marked on the focusing ring that is bright and easy to read. Respectfully sharp at f/2.8 (close to the 50mm f/2.8 Sony's performance, but just falling short) and very crisp across the image plane at f/4, very lightweight (Sony's lightest lens available), versatile focal length as a one lens "solution", 1:1 magnification, little glare, great price, compact in size. Little vignetting at f/4 and beyond, contrast is high here as well.

Low geometric distortion (just a slight barrel but nothing to worry about). Bokeh is very decent because of its close ability, out of focus bright spots show some bright rings but nothing at all to really worry about. A bargain lens optically, and a relatively bright aperture.

Full frame shooters- You will be able to use this lens on full frame but beware of the vignetting. I couldn't see any in the viewfinder which means it will cover the full frame sensor (or film), but Sony doesn't rate it for full frame. This is a similar performance characteristic to the Tamron 60mm f/2 that I also reviewed here.

I'd recommend this lens for the budgetmeister or lens hound who wants an affordable, lightweight, sharp, small, all around lens they can use for street, indoor, and close up photography. If you get a bit serious with this lens, it'll make a tack sharp low distortion landscape with very little to complain about at f/4 and beyond, and a great macro image with deep depth of field.  

The focal length is more versatile than you think, and for those who want to get adventurous, you can use it on a full frame sensor or film camera. Without testing one on either a full frame film or digital SLR I'm not completely sure, but, it's likely you'll have very soft corners wide open and much more vignetting than APS-C (nice for street shooting sometimes). In other words the weaknesses of this lens will be compounded in the corner regions. Still, it might be good enough to have a go with and see how you like the results. 

Overall a lens that earns it's cost and might be a heck of a lot more fun to use as a one lens "solution" than you might think it would. Sony calls their budget line "easy choice" lenses but they aren't always that easy to ante up for. I think if Sony had metal mounts on all of these lenses, the choice would be much easier. Yet, the macro seems to be the easiest choice of the few budget SAM lenses available currently- certainly it is more versatile than the other SAM prime lenses.

Be safe, and happy shooting!

-Carl Garrard

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