Sony DT 30mm F/2.8 SAM Macro

The Sony DT 30mm F/2.8 SAM Macro offers a film-equivalent focal length of 45mm on an APS-C format D-SLR

The Sony DT 30mm F/2.8 SAM Macro is a DT model, so isn’t suitable for Sony’s full-frame cameras. SAM indicates that the lens uses Sony’s Smooth Autofocus Motor so, as the name suggests, this should result in smooth AF operation. The lens features a fairly fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, but this slight compromise is compensated for by its macro capabilities, as it offers a true and very handy reproduction ratio of 1:1, so subjects can be recorded at life-size. The lens itself sports a pretty clean design, but with a predominantly plastic construction that includes the lens mount, it nudges the scales at just 150g.
For general shooting, AF is quick and locks on with ease, but though it uses SAM, it’s not as smooth as it could be in operation. With the added benefit of macro shooting, the lens copes very well at close distances and though there’s a noticeable fall-off in AF speed, it rarely hunts. The downside is the noise during close focus, with some very audible mechanical sounds, and the other issue is the Manual Focus ring which is a bit too lightly weighted.

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