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| 1 | 2 |  » Stats |
Members: 50,145
Threads: 82,320
Posts: 853,076
Top Poster: glsammy (15,069)
| | Welcome to our newest member, sthomas99 | |  | 
04-10-2006, 08:56 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: IVYBRIDGE,
Posts: 402
| | | Sigma 400mm Macro
I have just seen this lens advertised for sale on EBay. The sepcification seems ideal for what I am looking for and would complement the Sigma 150 Macro that I already own. the main dowside of this lens as I see it is the max aparture of F5.6. Sigma no longer make the lens and I was wondering if anyone has any experiance of using one. I have looked on various forums and found only one or two references to it. My other concerns are that the post are all 5 or 6 years old indicating that the lens I am looking to bid on may be 5 or 6 years old
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Trying is the first step towards failure |
04-10-2006, 09:15 PM
|  | Frozen | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.E. Lincolnshire
Posts: 4,126
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
What's the full specs Roger?
I use the Sigma 300mm APO Tele Macro F4, but it's not a dedicated macro, it's just got quite a close minimum focus and has a switch on the side to alter the focus range. A few images in the Gallery taken with this - it's a good lens.
I believe the 400mm had a good reputation, but haven't used it myself.
Alan |
06-10-2006, 07:27 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Posts: 2,581
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
Hi Roger
You need to tread carefully here. Not sure whether you would want it as a prime 400mm or for the macro. As a telephoto it provided very good quality images and a nice lense in its day, with a min. focus distance of 1.6m.A bit heavy at 1.4kg. As a macro it gives 1:3 magnification, this is really just an add on which helps to sell them. It was discontinued as I understand it because of the shift towards the longer zooms (50-500 etc.) and falling demand for primes. For a budget lense at 400mm f5.6 is not bad.
I am assuming you mean the Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 HSM APO macro in which case you would need to be careful, the later models are generally compatable with recent cameras but if it is an older model it can lock up your camera. This is due to the firmware and Sigma dont supply updates for a lot of the older lenses. If its the older non HSM I would steer well clear.
Gerry |
06-10-2006, 08:22 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 29
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
If its the SIGMA APO TELE MACRO or even better the HSM model get it, its a match for the Canon 5.6L in terms of ability. Its not 1:1 macro though, if i remember its 1:2 or 1:3 or something.
If its the older model then dont get it.
Last edited by Ollie; 06-10-2006 at 09:10 PM.
|
06-10-2006, 08:51 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: i'm right here
Posts: 11,154
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
I like them as a prime but as a macro I think they are 1:4 which is skirting on the edge of hardly being worthy of the name "macro" at all.
Also what sort of price is it ? I have just found the non hsm model here Walters Photo-Video Online for all your photographic needs for £149 which seems suspiciously cheap for a 400mm lens
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Some people are like slinkies, good for nowt, but they make you smile when pushed down stairs |
06-10-2006, 09:55 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Basingstoke, Hampshire
Posts: 2,581
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
Quote: |
Originally Posted by RogerTheCat | Looks like one of the old models not the HSM APO, would also say it is well overpriced. Like I said earlier you are taking a big risk beacause of the outdated firmware.
Colleague of mine purchased an older model Sigma telephoto a while ago, locked up his Nikon and cost him dearly to get it repaired.
My advice leave well alone.
Gerry |
07-10-2006, 07:44 AM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: i'm right here
Posts: 11,154
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
Quote: |
Originally Posted by RogerTheCat | I agree with gerry that is seriously over priced , a quick scout round the net shows that the average price for this len is around 600 US$ ie circa 300 sterling.
I also agree with gerry on the firmware/chip angle, older sigma lenses are notoruious for not working on DSLRs and although sigma will rechip lenses that you can prove you bought new for £35 a time the price of rechipping a second hand lens is horrific
__________________
Some people are like slinkies, good for nowt, but they make you smile when pushed down stairs |
07-10-2006, 10:03 AM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 29
| | | Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
Rodger, thats way over the odds, but that model is ok, its the non HSM Model but the last one, i'm not sure if the HSM model even came out on the nikon mount.
Optics are fine, the same infact as the HSM but on the nikon it is screw driver drive so AF is hardly blistering.
In short its ok but slow and that person is asking too much. |
06-01-2011, 05:16 AM
| | New Member | | Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
| |  Re: Sigma 400mm Macro
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerTheCat  I have just seen this lens advertised for sale on EBay. The sepcification seems ideal for what I am looking for and would complement the Sigma 150 Macro that I already own. the main dowside of this lens as I see it is the max aparture of F5.6. Sigma no longer make the lens and I was wondering if anyone has any experiance of using one. I have looked on various forums and found only one or two references to it. My other concerns are that the post are all 5 or 6 years old indicating that the lens I am looking to bid on may be 5 or 6 years old | I have one and mine too is going for sale shortly on Ebay. It jammed up my K10D, which is away for repair at present still, and like a fool, I tried it on my K20D.
You do not want to know what happened.
The K20D is boxed up, and being sent for repair to Pentax.
I could not believe I did it once, let alone TWICE ! Arggggggggggggh
No fool like an old fool I guess.
It turns out the lens has a firmware incompatibility with *some* cameras, even although both of mine are sporting the latest updates. I dare not try it on my K-m.
It is Sigma at fault, as they have no firmware update on what is now a 5 or 6 year old discontinues lens.
If you do buy it, please be aware it could get VERY expensive indeed with repair costs on your Camera. Maybe it is just with Pentax's, but would you wish to take the risk to find out ? LOL
On the other hand, great joy. I have just purchased the Pentax 10 - 17mm lens.
So changing my name to Right In Your Face Birdy.
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