Irix 150mm Macro Image Quality Tested - Sharpness, Bokeh & More

Irix 150mm Macro Image Quality Tested – Sharpness, Bokeh & More Macro photography is all about capturing the fine details of tiny subjects, whether it’s the texture of a leaf, the delicate wings of an insect, or the intricate patterns of flowers. To do this, a lens needs to offer superb sharpness, rich bokeh, and minimal optical flaws. The Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro lens, a manual focus lens designed for macro photographers, has been gaining attention for its promise of high image quality, with a wide f/2.8 aperture, 1:1 magnification, and solid build quality. But how well does it live up to these promises when it comes to actual image quality? In this article, we’ll test the Irix 150mm Macro across key performance factors like sharpness, bokeh, chromatic aberration, and more. Key Features of the Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro Before we dive into the tests, let’s quickly recap the main features of the Irix 150mm F2.8 Macro lens: Focal Length: 150mm Aperture: Maximum of f/2.8 Magnification: 1:1 macro ratio (life-size reproduction) Focus: Manual focus only Build: Robust construction with weather sealing Compatibility: Available in Canon, Nikon, and Pentax mounts With a 1:1 magnification ratio, this lens allows you to capture minute details of your subject at life-size scale. The f/2.8 aperture also provides a relatively shallow depth of field, ideal for isolating subjects against blurred backgrounds. Now, let’s test how well the lens performs in various image quality categories. 1. Sharpness – How Detailed Are the Images? When it comes to macro photography, sharpness is one of the most important factors to consider, as you want to capture every tiny detail of your subject. The Irix 150mm F2.8 excels in this area, providing impressively sharp results, even at wide apertures. Center Sharpness: The center of the image is exceptionally sharp at f/2.8. Fine details such as hair, veins on leaves, or insect wings are rendered with clarity and precision, making the Irix 150mm F2.8 a great choice for capturing intricate textures and fine patterns. At f/2.8, the image looks crisp and clear in the center, which is ideal for macro work. Edge Sharpness: Edge sharpness is also strong, particularly for a lens with such a wide aperture. Even at f/2.8, the edges retain a good level of sharpness, though they are slightly softer than the center. As you stop down to f/5.6 and f/8, edge sharpness improves, and the overall image quality becomes more consistent across the frame. This makes the lens quite versatile for different types of macro work, from small subjects to larger, multi-element compositions.