Sigma 105mm & 150mm Macro lenses

Asha

Asha

Blithering Idiot
Messages
11,274
Name
Asha
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm seriously considering treating myself (birthday this week!! lol) to a second hand dedicated 1:1 macro lens (Nikon fit)

I've yet to do more research but I understand the Sigma 105mm and 150mm offer outstanding results.

I think the 150mm is likely going to be beyond my budget, however I'm aware that the extra length may prove a cosiderable advantage particularly for insects.

Who has got/owned these and what are/were your own experiences/views?
 
I owned the canon fit version of the 150mm sigma (none os) version and it was by far my most used and favourite lens. They can hunt to AF in very low light, but thats what macro flashes are for! However both lenses are razor sharp wide open and give cracking results.

As a new nikon user though, I'd be more tempted to save and pickup the nikon 105mm VR which is more expensive, but its supposedly one of the best macro lenses that money can buy.
 
Owned both and much preferred the 150mm..its a fantastic lens.The 105 used to hunt like mad but still produced great images.You will welcome the extra reach to for insects etc.:thumbs:
 
I have a 150mm f2.8.

I can't really say anything against it. It's big and heavy but it is FF and f2.8 so what can I expect :thinking: :D Focus is a little slow but such is the case with macro lenses and you'll be using manual focus anyway, however, it does have one of those focus range limit thingies. I never use it myself but I imagine it's useful.
 
Ive had a couple of sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro's in my time- used correctley they are a very capable lens- shooting in manual for me is always better when shooting Macro :thumbs:



Auto Focus is for girls :D:D:D


Les :lol:
 
had the canon 105mm a few years ago
liked it but mainly used it for portraits at gigs, got some good pics of paulo nutuni! but only limited experience of proper macro use I'm afraid
nice lens to handle though. I only replaced it because I wanted a f2.8 that zoomed and macro wasn't my main thing
 
Owned them both and the 150 is a lot better for bugs. Just sold it on eBay, as I need the money, but will no doubt buy another at some point.
In fact I've owned almost all the macro lenses from canon, Nikon and sigma, and the 150 is second only to the canon 100L IS.
 
I've got the 105 Canon fit. Superbly sharp lens, but as others have said it does hunt on AF....but I'm another who use it in MF for macro work, so never have that problem ;)
 
Lez325 said:
Auto Focus is for girls :D:D:D


Les :lol:
Click to expand...

Excuse me :bat:

AF is one things that helps keeping the tiny subject in focus when you both move in and out - just a tiny bit but that's enough to kill the macro shot. It is like an additional image stabiliser if you like
 
Many thanks for all your replies....I am definetly swung more to the 150mm....I feel if I go for the 105mm, i will end up regretting not pushing the finances a little further for the extra reach....I think there's a fair price difference even second hand iirc.

Now the dilema, can i raise enough funds without having to wait for next years birthday cash!!:D
 
The 150mm would be a good choice. I have actually been using mine for the first time in ages today and I took the following.
This has only had some slight exposure adjustment but no sharpening so you can see from the 100% crop that it is a great lens.
I should add I am by no means a macro photographer I have a go 3 or 4 times a year so I would imagine in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing this lens would produce some great images.

Lc7vd.jpg


ILxia.jpg
 
stormcrow said:
The 150mm would be a good choice. I have actually been using mine for the first time in ages today and I took the following.
This has only had some slight exposure adjustment but no sharpening so you can see from the 100% crop that it is a great lens.
I should add I am by no means a macro photographer I have a go 3 or 4 times a year so I would imagine in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing this lens would produce some great images.

Lc7vd.jpg


ILxia.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow they are darned good quality....thanks for posting them!.....just out of interest what aperture/shutter /iso did you shoot at?
 
Asha said:
Wow they are darned good quality....thanks for posting them!.....just out of interest what aperture/shutter /iso did you shoot at?
Click to expand...

Thanks glad you like it.
This one was taken at ISO250 f/9.0 1/250
The photos today were my first go with a Nikon R1C1 flash which has certainly helped as it was taken hand held.
 
stormcrow said:
Thanks glad you like it.
This one was taken at ISO250 f/9.0 1/250
The photos today were my first go with a Nikon R1C1 flash which has certainly helped as it was taken hand held.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Dale ....Would it be necessary to buy dedicated flash specific for macro then?...the reason i ask is i have an SB800 which can be used on or off camera...I was hoping that would suffice :shrug:

Last thing i want is to spend all I have on a good lens then be fighting with illumination with no other funds to upgrade!
 
All my macro taken before today have been with either no flash or with my sb600 or sb900 so you will be okay with what you have if you have only the 1 flash a reflector of some description can be very useful.
 
stormcrow said:
All my macro taken before today have been with either no flash or with my sb600 or sb900 so you will be okay with what you have if you have only the 1 flash a reflector of some description can be very useful.
Click to expand...

OK that's cool...reflectors I have so on to a good start already:thumbs:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top