# Sigma 105mm vs. Sony 90mm macro **URL:** \ **Category:** Digital Camera Scanning\ **Created:** [November 12, 2020, 5:06pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875 "2020-11-12T17:06:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2024, 8:28pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/21 "2024-04-15T20:28:13Z")
Robert O’Toole tested the Sigma 70mm ART at 1:1 in 2020: [https://www.closeuphotography.com/1x-test-2020](https://www.closeuphotography.com/1x-test-2020) He tested the 105mm, also at 1:1, in 2022: [https://www.closeuphotography.com/1x-macro-lens-test-2022](https://www.closeuphotography.com/1x-macro-lens-test-2022) These are very rigorous tests with a Silicon wafer, so testing particularly for flat field and resolution into the corners on a 61MP Sony ARIV. He rated both highly but the 105mm was slightly better. That’s me paraphrasing from memory so best to have a look at the reviews. Vlad Serebryany also compares the 70mm Sigma with the highly regarded 75mm Apo-Rodagon f4.5 2x: > **[APO Rodagon D 2X 4.5/75 mm vs. Sigma 2.8/70 Macro Art - Fight of the Century](https://film4ever-digital.blogspot.com/2023/02/apo-rodagon-d-2x-4575-mm-vs-sigma-2870.html)** > > For film camera users: Hi-Res Test Targets on 35 mm, type 120 and 4x5" film, USAF 1951 Charts for film scanning with DSLR or mirrorless camera ---
**Author:** ![lucaloads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c89c15/32.png) [@lucaloads](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/lucaloads)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/22 "2024-04-17T06:34:30Z")
Thank you so much. May your mouth never get dry at night. ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 7:13am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/23 "2024-04-17T07:13:35Z")
Thanks, not sure anyone has ever said that to me before 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Digitizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Digitizer](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Digitizer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 9:36am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/24 "2024-04-17T09:36:23Z")
A few characteristics often go untested - [focus shift](https://photographylife.com/what-is-focus-shift) - [field curvature](https://photographylife.com/what-is-field-curvature) They can depend on distance and aperture settings of a lens. And while a lens might look perfect at 1:1 and f/8, it might be less than ideal under different conditions. However, I can’t say how these lenses fare in this respect, but you might find some info about it or simply buy one and be content. Assuming all other characteristics to be the same, a decision could easily be based on purchase price. ---
**Author:** ![Graham](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forums.negativelabpro.com/graham/32/4148_2.png) [@Graham](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Graham)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/25 "2024-04-17T11:31:19Z")
It’s a bit late for this but it might be of intrest? This is a slide my partner Gabrielle took on Kodachrome 40 with her Nikon FM just after we stepped off this De Havilland Twin Otter at Tenzing-Hillary Airport Lukla in The Himalaya in 1987. It’s “very” hand held, we were both a lot shaken by the flight and landing. Anyway, the top enlargement was taken with a Sony FE 90mm Macro G OSS in 2021-08 and the lower with a Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN Macro in 2022-05. Both on my Sony a7C. I had just bought the Sony Macro before I read Robert O’Toole’s review after which ran out and I bought the Sigma. You can see quite obviously the chromatic aberration at the building and window edges on the Sony shot. I have not modified the pics so the exposure is a bit different. @Harry If you’re still interested I will post some “collimated vs diffuse” comparisons in the Suggested backlight sources for scanning film thread. They don’t really shed any new light on the subject! ![Lukla Composite 01](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/negativelabpro/original/2X/1/1c40587b4d356c8a9f9e6b0d901b5718199afba3.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 12:21pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/26 "2024-04-17T12:21:10Z")
Dramatic difference, and evident at just 24MP. Yes, still interested in collimated v diffuse lighting, I’ll keep an eye out for your update. ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 12:24pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/27 "2024-04-17T12:24:05Z")
That picture tells a story, what an experience! ---
**Author:** ![gihlsong](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forums.negativelabpro.com/gihlsong/32/1202_2.png) [@gihlsong](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/gihlsong)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/28 "2024-04-17T14:41:53Z")
> [@lucaloads](#): > > 70mm f2.8 Art I didn’t realize the 70mm f2.8 Art lens could be a comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Digitizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Digitizer](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Digitizer)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 8:15am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/29 "2024-04-18T08:15:00Z")
For those using APS-C sensor cameras, I can recommend the fully manual, metadata-free 7 Artisan 60mm macro II, the non-extending model 2 that is. Got one at a sales price of about 130 USD. Easily worth the money and easy to focus with focus peeking. I don’t have a @VladS reference, but got an impression with this setup: > [@Let's see your DSLR film scanning setup!](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/lets-see-your-dslr-film-scanning-setup/27/238): > > I’m still experimenting with my scanning setup. Vertical setups have an advantage in that the film can be put flat on the table, vs, the horizontal setup that has it’s advantages in other areas. Currently testing this setup that is configured for best stability: Column (and baseboard) of a Fujimoto “Lucky” enlarger for 6x9 and smaller Shim to align the Novoflex rail (3.) Alignment done with a mirror. Novoflex rail with Arca clamp slider EOS R7 in a Tilta… ---
**Author:** ![SSelvidge](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forums.negativelabpro.com/sselvidge/32/2813_2.png) [@SSelvidge](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/SSelvidge)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 5:16pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/30 "2024-08-08T17:16:28Z")
I am surely interested in the light source variations, too ---
**Author:** ![Graham](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forums.negativelabpro.com/graham/32/4148_2.png) [@Graham](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Graham)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/31 "2024-08-09T01:30:17Z")
Have you seen my post on collimated vs diffuse in “Suggested backlight sources for scanning film with DSLR” April 18th. ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 6:06am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/32 "2024-08-09T06:06:10Z")
Graham’s post: > [@Suggested backlight sources for scanning film with DSLR](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/suggested-backlight-sources-for-scanning-film-with-dslr/130/265): > > As promised in my post in “Let’s see your DSLR film scanning setup!”… Here is the first Collimated vs Diffuse backlight source comparison using my partner Gabrielle’s photo taken with Nikon FM on Ilford HP5 Plus at The Vatican Christmas Day 1993. I’ve tried adjusting the diffuse lit image to match the collimated. I can get it close, but for black and white I will stick with collimated backlight. ---
**Author:** ![Digitizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Digitizer](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Digitizer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/33 "2024-08-09T12:02:18Z")
In analog times, we said that condenser lighting was “better” for B&W while diffuse was for colour. It had to do with the silver halide crystals and the film mask, but I don’t remember that detail any more. In one of my test setups ([show it](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/lets-see-your-dslr-film-scanning-setup/27/71)), I moved the LED panel closer and farther away from the negative and noticed, that the far-away panel gave a similar effect like condensed light. While more directed light made captures look more crisp, it also made dust and scratches stand out more clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/34 "2024-08-09T15:40:42Z")
Interesting, I see your 2020 rig was pretty configurable, how far away did you need to go to get this improvement in detail? Currently with my ‘copy box’ my film is only 28mm above a suitably masked CS-Lite but I have wondered if I might contrive to get a little farther away. That said at 24MP APS-C I doubt it’s going to show a clear difference. ---
**Author:** ![Digitizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Digitizer](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Digitizer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2024, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/35 "2024-08-10T06:50:16Z")
> [@Harry](#): > > how far away did you need to go to get this improvement in detail? The length of the rods allowed captures of up to 6x9 medium format, in which case, the negative was close to the backlight. For 135 film, the distance to the backlight is wider. This means that I got crisper captures for small negatives and less crunchy captures for 6x9. The difference was noticeable, but Lightroom’s structure tool was able to compensate that - in both ways. Now to your question: differences were noticeable as soon as the backlight moved away, but the maximum distance is reached, when the backlight diffusor gets smaller than the negative as seen through the lens. From that distance on, you’d need a larger backlight and the effect of directing light would be partially compensated. Exposure times get longer too and if you keep the light outside of a box, more light means more light in your eyes… ---
**Author:** ![Harry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@Harry](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Harry)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2024, 9:28am UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/36 "2024-08-10T09:28:53Z")
Thanks, I’m careful to mask my panel so that the aperture is only just larger than that ‘seen’ through the lens when capturing a full frame with some rebate. To me that is making the effect of the light source less diffuse than if it was close to the negative so that is I think going to help however far away the panel is, even though it isn’t anything like a collimated light source of course. I haven’t done any comparisons with a greater distance than 28mm or indeed closer but I personally think that moving the panel away from the film is an advantage for a number of reasons, but it does need to be masked off accordingly for each format. The major retail holders from Valoi and NS hold the film very close to the panel of course. ---
**Author:** ![Digitizer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@Digitizer](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/u/Digitizer)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2024, 1:33pm UTC](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875/37 "2024-08-10T13:33:14Z")
> [@Harry](#): > > personally think that moving the panel away from the film is an advantage With vertical setups, a distant light source needs some extra space above or below the table…or a folded lightpath etc. [Previous page](https://forums.negativelabpro.com/t/sigma-105mm-vs-sony-90mm-macro/2875.md?page=1)