Tokina Firin 100mm F2.8 FE Macro

Sony E

Review

The Tokina Firin 100mm F2.8 FE Macro is an impressive addition to the lineup of macro lenses available for the Sony E mount. With its elegant design and robust build quality, it’s geared towards both amateur photographers and professionals who want to capture intricate details in their subjects. This lens excels in macro photography but also adapts well to portraiture, making it versatile for a variety of shooting scenarios.

Build Quality and Design

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Tokina Firin 100mm is its solid construction. The lens boasts a metal body that feels sturdy in hand, and the lens hood also adds to its overall practicality. It features a weather-sealed design which is a huge plus for photographers who often shoot in varying weather conditions. The 100mm focal length makes it an excellent choice for capturing small subjects up close while providing a pleasing working distance that won’t disturb your subject.

Optical Performance

In terms of optics, the Firin 100mm F2.8 is sharp across the frame, even when wide open at f/2.8. It performs exceptionally well in macro focusing situations, rendering fine details beautifully. The lens boasts a 1:1 magnification ratio, allowing you to fill your frame with your tiny subjects, while the creamy bokeh produced at wider apertures can make your portraits stand out. Chromatic aberrations and distortion are minimal, which is something frequently praised in Tokina's engineered lenses.

Autofocus and Manual Focus

The autofocus system is fast and quiet, making it suitable for both stills and video. This is especially beneficial for macro photography, where you often need quick adjustments to capture the right moment without disturbing your subject. The manual focus ring is smooth and well-dampened, providing great control for those moments when you want to take full creative reins over your imagery.

Compatibility and Versatility

As a native Sony E mount lens, the Firin 100mm fits seamlessly on both full-frame and APS-C cameras. On APS-C models, this lens effectively provides a longer reach, translating to a 150mm equivalent, which is an added advantage for wildlife and portrait photography. This level of versatility makes the Tokina an attractive option for those owning multiple types of Sony cameras.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent build quality with weather sealing
• Sharp optics with minimal distortion
• Fast and quiet autofocus
• Versatile for both macro and portrait photography
• Smooth manual focus control

Cons

• Some may find it slightly heavier compared to similar lenses
• Limited aperture range may not satisfy all photographers
• A bit pricier than some comparable options

Verdict

The Tokina Firin 100mm F2.8 FE Macro lens is a well-rounded offering that excels in macro photography while providing versatility for portraiture, thanks to its sharp optics and solid build quality. While it may not be the lightest option on the market, its performance and durability make it a worthy investment for photographers looking to explore the intricate world of macro photography or enhance their portrait work. If you're considering a macro lens for your Sony E system, this Tokina lens is certainly worth a closer look.