Sigma 150mm or Nikon 105 VR. Any thoughts?

[Flash In The Pan]

Anyone offer advice in a straight choice between these two? I realise the focal lengths are different, I'm more concerned with iq and build quality.....

 

[puddleduck]

I've used both extensively. Image quality is about equal.

-VR is useless for macro.
-The tripod collar on the 150mm is excellent and superb for reframing between portrait and landscape.
-If you shoot handheld macro, 150mm is much harder to handhold than 105mm (even without VR)
-Build quality? - Neither will fall apart. Without taking the lenses apart, can't say how they on the inside. Externally both are solid. I find the Sigma EX coating can look tatty after a while.

I shot this with a 105mm VR on a D200:

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And this with a 150mm more recently on a D60:

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If you ask which one I prefer, a lot would depend on the wind direction, as both are capable lenses.

 

[ricky1981]

I have both and they are both very good, I'd probably give the slight edge to the Sigma but that's personal preference in terms of liking the extra length.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Thanks for that chaps, I'm leaning towards the Sigma from the images I've seen so far. I can also see it being useful for interesting portrait work.