Can Sony 18-55mm SAM lens do macro?

[Hawk]

Hello after yet another few weeks of my absence! I wish I could post more often, but I simply don't have enough time these days.

I hope you won't mind posting copy of my lens micro test here.

Recently I bought Sony 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM lens also known as new kit lens. It has quite nice minimum focus distance of 250mm so its comparable to 303mm of Minolta 35-70mm F4 lens in macro mode. Being curious how it will perform on close-ups I took it to my garden.

First of all, what about bokeh?



Obviously as you can see there is no way to get shallow depth of field and background still has some possibly distracting details. However sometimes we want these details to be visible:



Sharpness is good, way better than in old kit. Colors are better too. Lens seems to perform well and is excellent companion to 55-200mm (Tamron or Sony) for lightweight travelling. If I’d have to choose between new kit and old used Minolta 35-70mm F4 I’d definitely choose kit. Why?

* we are getting new lens with warranty (instead of 25 years old one)
* it seems to be sharper, especially in corners
* focal range is way more usefull (wide angle)
* internal focusing (SAM) performs better than in-body screwdriver
* its cheaper

There is only one thing at which all old Minolta lenses are better (at least for me) – they generate images with most pleasing colors. Of course this can be achieved during post processing as well.

To sum all things up one more shot from Sony 18-55mm kit. In my opinion its definitely worth every penny you are going to spent on it especially if your budget is tight.

[pakodominguez]

Hi,
First; nice pics!

Then, the new kit lens is really good for close focus, but "macro"? try some coins or stamps or anything "flat" and you'll discover if the 18-55 perform decently as macro lens.
Regards

[Dr. Harout]

Nice shots, Hawk.
There were too many opportunities to see the decency of this new kit lens. Glen (camperbc) has one and posts lots of very beautiful shots.
Like Pako, I'm interested in the close-up/macro abilities.

[Hawk]

Thanks for your replies. I'll try this lens on something small and post results here.

[aster]

Did I say that these were indeed good shots, Hawk? : ))

I completely got lost in other threads and lenses and forgot how beautiful these were!

Thank you for the input on the experience with the lens which is nicely compiled and explanatory.

The bokeh doesn't bother me at all. I like seeing a blurry impression of what the rest of the flower's parts are like, sometimes they create wonderful patterns as backdrops. : )

Thanks for sharing and don't go scarce for too long. We miss your photos even if we may be unusually quiet at times!


Yildiz

[Birma]

Hi Hawk - I'm glad that Yildiz's post brought this thread back to the top as I also had forgotten to reply . These are great images. I espeically like the first with the lovely delicate blue (a Forgetmenot I think?) springing from the very nuce bokeh background. A great recommendation for the lens.

[Hawk]

Yildiz, Birma, thanks and glad you like yet another flower shots from me! I was kind of waiting for your replies

I hope to be back with some new photos soon!