Sigma 180mm macro help

[looneytunez1024]

I have this lens and I'm having trouble getting really close shots of anything I've faffed about and still nothing. I am still an amateur with photography but I had better luck with the sigma 105mm macro but wanted a longer working distance as i kept scaring the subject away or had to get too close to spiders which is a no go area for me.

It is quite heavy and I do struggle with the weight but have tried with a tripod.

Can anyone help?

Or am I best getting a new lens

 

[Mike Jackson]

How are you trying to use it? It should be easier to get a 1:1 image with a 180 than a 105.

 

[looneytunez1024]

Mainly the weight and holding it still plus my images don't come out as sharp as the ones I've seen this same lens take

 

[squishy]

Being a longer focal length, it'll require a fast shutter speed for handholding.

 

[mark richards]

I use this lens...its so sharp you would cut yourself ..I have hand held this lens ,but get much more better results with a monopod...also works very well with 1x4 converter...mark

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

You need loads of light (diffused flash) to get a high shutter speed, with a small aperture to maximize DOF, shoot manual exposure 1/320 min f16 ISO200/400 and manually focus by rocking the camera - post some examples

 

[RJL2005]

Using diffused flash is a good idea. Keep the shutter speed to 1/200, the sync speed for your camera though. With a small aperture the flash will be the main light source and its short duration will freeze alot of camera shake.

 

[LCPete]

I have the sigma 150 and found that it was a lot easier to get consistent shots with a tripod and the 180 will be even harder to handhold at macro distances
I would start using a tripod or at least a monopod while you get used to the lens
Pete