The SAL-100M28, also known as Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro, is the best lens in Sony Alpha Macro lens’ lineup.
You can get this lens from Amazon
It has superb optical quality compared to its peers. It is very sharp, and have excellent control over all the optical variables in a lens.
Vignetting, chromatic aberration and distortion is non-existent on this lens.
It is quite surprising as well because this lens is an old lens that comes from the Minolta era. Sony basically just redesign this lens’ appearance to blend with the current Sony alpha lenses lineup.
This is a full frame format lens so it can be used with both cropped sensor DSLR and full frame DSLR camera.
If I have to name some downsides for this lens it would be the sub-par professional build quality due to the excessive use of plastics as well as the expensive price.
However, I really think you get superior optical quality for the price.
If you are a macro shooter that loves to take great portrait shots, then this is the lens to get.
Also, if you LOVE sharp lens, then you’ll LOVE this lens as well 
See my full SAL-100M28 review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
SAL-100M28 Specs
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Official Name:
Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro SAL-100M28
Focal Length Markings:
100mm
Features:
Macro – Special lens for close up shooting. This lens is a true macro lens with 1:1 magnification ratio.
Full Technical Specs (from Sony’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 8 / 8 |
| Angle of View | 24 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 1′ 2.4″ (35cm) |
| Filter Thread | 55mm |
| Weight | 1lb. 2oz. (505g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3 X 4″ (75 X 98.5mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:1 |
| Available at | Amazon, B&H Photo Video or Adorama |
Optical Performance
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SAL-100M28 Sharpness
This lens is extremely sharp on the center, even at the maximum aperture of f/2.8.
On the border, this lens is extremely sharp as well, including at the maximum aperture of f/2.8.
Overall, this lens is probably the sharpest of all Sony Macro lenses. To get the maximum sharpness, shoot at f/4.
See the sharpness table test below to see the test result.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro SAL-100M28 Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
| 100mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great |
Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro SAL-100M28 Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
| 100mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Great |
Distortion
Distortion does not exist on this lens.
See the distortion test image grid below.
SAL-100M28 Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is extremely well controlled. Even at f/2.8, you won’t be able to see it.
This lens have the best vignetting control among Sony macro lenses.
See my vignetting test chart below.
SAL-100M28 Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
I think Sony really nails it in terms of optical performance on this lens.
Chromatic aberration is negligible at any aperture on this lens. This includes the maximum aperture of f/2.8.
See my Chromatic Aberration test result below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro SAL-100M28 Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
| 100mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
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Materials
High quality plastic with metal mounts. I wish Sony had make a metal one.
Focusing
The focus ring operates smoothly on this lens. The lens extends when focusing on closer distance which is quite common for a macro lens.
The autofocus system is still an old one. However, it is fairly fast and accurate compared to today’s standard.
There is a focus limiter function which you should use to prevent focus hunting when you are not shooting macro. In addition, it also feature a focus stop button which might be handy at times.
Image Stabilization
In the Sony DSLR world, the Image Stabilization is built into the camera sensor, not on the lenses. Check your camera body to see if it has the Image Stabilization feature.
Compatibility
This lens is compatible with both cropped sensor and full frame DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are some sample images taken with this lens. Click on any thumbnail to open the image.
Get the best price online from these sites: Amazon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
This will be a quick summary on the SAL-100M28 lens review.
Drawbacks
- A bit too much plastic on the materials side for the price
- Fairly expensive
Positives
- Very sharp at any aperture, both on the center and borders
- Distortion does not exist
- Vignetting also does not exist
- Chromatic aberration is extremely well controlled
- The best macro lens in terms of optical performance compared to other Sony Alpha lenses
- Good autofocus speed and accuracy
Good For
- Advanced amateur, enthusiast or professional macro photography lens
- Portrait lens
Not So Good For
- Photographers who likes to abuse their equipment due to the sub-professional build quality
What Others Are Saying…
by “Paul J. Adams”
I love this lens! It hasn’t come off my A100 DSLR since it arrived. I have had it about a month and shot over 3000 images learning all aspects of this superb optic. It is sharp, shockingly sharp! Until now I was using my 18-70 mm and 75-300 zooms…
Click here to see the full review
by “Rafael Rodriguez”
I dont like to do review but in this case I have to do it, this lens is just amaizing you will discover another world…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the SAL-100M28 from these sites (best price online):
Amazon (Best Price + FREE Shipping)
Do check out the related lens review post below if you want to explore your options further.
Thanks for reading my SAL-100M28 review, hope you’ve enjoyed it and I will catch you in the next one!
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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