My name is Kyle van Bavel, and I like to describe myself as a nature photographer with a deep appreciation for the small-scale beauty in our vast, beautiful world. My mission is to uncover and capture the often-overlooked details of nature, the hidden worlds we tend to pass by unnoticed in our busy lives. Through my macro photography, I aim to show the intricate beauty of even the tiniest subjects, bringing them to life in ways that might surprise you. Whether it’s in a local park, the quiet woods, wild gardens, or even my own garden, I find inspiration everywhere around me. My goal is to highlight the extraordinary in the ordinary and to inspire others to pause and appreciate the small wonders of nature.

I’ve had the new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS for a few weeks now, and I can honestly say I’m absolutely in love with this latest edition to the macro lens lineup. Every time I take it out, I discover something new that makes shooting even more enjoyable. It comes with several really good and helpful upgrades, such as improved focusing speed, sharper edge-to-edge detail. These changes make it so much easier to capture those tiny worlds I love to shoot and show.

The previous Sony 90mm macro lens offered a solid 1:1 magnification ratio, perfect for capturing life-size details. But the new FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS takes things to the next level with an impressive 1.4:1 ratio, letting you get even closer and reveal details that were previously out of reach. This means more texture, more depth, and an even bigger look into the tiny worlds we love to explore.

I use the Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS in combination with my Sony Alpha 7R V body, and as a macro lover, this setup is simply a dream! The Alpha 7R V’s incredible 61 megapixels and lightning-fast processing power make every tiny detail pop with stunning clarity. Paired with the lens’ exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and fast, accurate autofocus, this combination becomes a true powerhouse for capturing the hidden world of flowers, insects, and other tiny subjects. Whether I’m photographing a dewdrop on a petal or the intricate pattern of a butterfly’s wings, this gear allows me to reveal textures and details that are often invisible to the naked eye.

Curious about what’s new from the FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS and how it can make a real difference for macro photographers? Sony has packed some amazing upgrades into their latest gear, and these aren’t just small tweaks, they can truly transform the way you shoot. From smarter autofocus to better image quality and more control over fine details, these improvements are designed to take your macro photography to the next level. Here are a few of the biggest updates you’ll want to know about.

The 100mm lens offers a slightly longer focal length, providing a narrower field of view compared to shorter lenses. This becomes a huge advantage in macro photography, as it allows you to maintain a greater working distance between yourself and the subject. This extra distance is particularly helpful when photographing subjects that are easily disturbed, like insects. With a 100mm lens, you can comfortably shoot without having to get too close, minimising the risk of startling your subject. This is especially beneficial for capturing skittish creatures, allowing you to work without causing unnecessary disruption. Additionally, the increased focal length can provide even more detail and compression, helping to isolate your subject against a beautifully blurred background.

The aperture ring is built right onto the lens, giving you full control at your fingertips. With just a quick twist, you can easily switch your aperture to get more depth of field for extra focus, or open it up for that dreamy, blurred background. This makes it super convenient when you’re out in the field, especially if you need to make quick adjustments while photographing fast-moving subjects like insects. It’s a small feature, but it can make a big difference in capturing the shot exactly the way you want it.

It also has a full time DMF button (Direct Manual Focus) which allows you to engage manual focusing at any time, even when in autofocus (AF) modes like AF-C. This enables quick manual adjustments to focus to correct errors, shift to a new subject, or fine-tune focus after the autofocus has acquired a target. Switching between manual focus and autofocus is a breeze thanks to the sliding focus ring that engages/disengages the manual focus option.

The lens itself is also much lighter to hold, which makes a big difference during long shooting sessions. This is especially nice because I shoot handheld most of the time, giving me the freedom to move around and quickly adjust my position while searching for the perfect angle. The lighter weight makes it easier to stay steady and comfortable, so I can focus on creativity instead of getting tired too quickly.

Sadly, I faced a bit of a challenge while trying to capture the stunning light in my shots, as the wind was incredibly strong here in the Netherlands. The gusts made it tricky to maintain stability, and I had to adapt quickly. However, thanks to the impressive Optical SteadyShot technology in my gear, I was still able to achieve sharp and detailed shots despite the conditions. The combination of perseverance and great tech helped me capture some truly beautiful moments, even when the elements were working against me.