Sigma 150mm Macro Lens

david156 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-07-2010, 07:51 PM

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a macro lens of 100mm plus and am looking for a bit of user information with regards to the "Sigma 150mm f2.8 EX DG Macro Lens"

Has anyone used this and how does it compare to canon own brand. Would love the canon 180mm L series macro lens but can't justify the £1200+ price ticket when the sigma is less than half that price.

I have read in the sigma literature that it can be used with teleconvertors of both 1.4x and 2x all although I believe it is only MF with the 2x. Does it also work with the canon teleconvertors or just the sigma ones?

Will be used mainly on a 50d body.

Any info would help.

Cheers David

glsammy · #2 (**permalink**) 19-07-2010, 08:17 PM

The Sigma 150mm is just about the most popular lens used by members on this site, with good reason. The lens is superb. I use it pretty well all the time with a Kenko Pro 300mm 1.4 X TC. It does retain auto focus, although for some weird macro reason not when it's at the maximum magnification.
Don't let that worry you. Using a macro lens is unlike using any other, I hardly ever use AF. You often need to focus on areas that are not directly in the centre of an image, and your often taking shots of subjects that move quickly, so manual focus is my preferred method.
I also use diffused flash for the majority of my shots, as to give your subject decent DOF, I shoot mainly at around F16.0. There's rarely enough natural light to shoot at that setting, plus you often get a lot of shadowy areas that the flash helps retain image detail.

I'm not sure about the compatibility of the Canon 1.4X TC.

Ollie · #3 (**permalink**) 19-07-2010, 08:20 PM

Hi David I use the Sigma 150mm and I wouldn't use any other. I rate it very highly. The new canon 100mm is reputed to be very good as it has image stabilisation but then again I believe it's more costly than the Sigma 150mm.

The Sigma 150mm can be used with a teleconvertor. I have a 1.4X Kenko Pro 300 converter and it works fine with the lens. Can't say if it would work with the Canon converter.

The Sigma 150mm is a sturdy well built lens and as such is slightly on the heavy side and I find a tripod is the key to getting good images with it or a monopod at least.

Naturenutz · #4 (**permalink**) 19-07-2010, 08:22 PM

I have this lens after asking on here.The lens weigh's in at just under 900grams and i find that i can walk long periods with it hanging around my neck so i am ready for those fleeting shots,i wouldnt want anything heavier though as it weighs the same as my camera nikon d300s and together they are approx 1800grams .It has taken me a while to get to grips with the new camera i have, but the results are now very sharp images.I went for this lens after much research .The other option i looked at was the sigma 105mm also very good.The big brand names may have a very slight edge from what i have read but the quality of this lens is still top class in my and many others opinions. its down to me to get the shots and the lens will do the rest and not dissapoint.

squishy · #5 (**permalink**) 19-07-2010, 09:18 PM

I'm quite interested in this thread, as I also plan to buy a 150 soon.

It doesn't work with Canon converters though.

As far as I have heard, the optics and build quality are definitely up there with L series lenses. It may be slightly softer than the 180L wide open, but that's f/2.8 compared to f/3.5, and apparently it sharpens up at f/3.5. But there does seem to be a bit of copy variation. Some people report it being softer wide open, whereas other people report that there is no sharpness increase as you stop down (but that could just be varying standards) (also, wide open sharpness isn't important for macro). Also, the auto focus is variably described as 'Very good for a macro' to 'not very good, even for a macro'. Anyhoo, sigma seems to have a great customer service reputation, so I'm not worrying too much about that (especially since AF won't often be used).

DaiTheDragon · #6 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 05:27 AM

If you want to use the Canon 1.4TC with the, Canon 100, Sigma 100, 150 ,180 Macro lenses just put the Canon TC on first then the smallest 12mm I think, Kenko tube and then the lens. Works perfect.

Dai

scottwild · #7 (**permalink**) 20-07-2010, 07:41 AM

I use the sigma 150 macro with a 1.4x sigma converter (Nikon fit). This is an excellent lens. I paid £650 new a few years ago. You can now get these for nearly half that, new, on ebay.

skywatcher · #8 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 03:56 PM

The other thing to consider is the lack of tripod collar and lens hood on the Canon 100. I sold mine on and bought the Sigma 150. It's a super lens and you can easily turn it for a portrait shot if you have it on a tripod. There are an awful lot of macro subjects that require portrait...dragonflies and fungi for starters!
Rosie

Lancashire Lad · #9 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 04:37 PM

I use a Sigma 180mm, which now has a Sigma 1.4x converter more or less permanently attached. The combo offers a good working distance, with just a tad more than 2x life size macro on my Nikon D80, (at closest focus, full frame = 16mm x 11mm), without any discernible loss of image quality.

Admittedly, the weight might be a problem for some, and certainly this combo would be less than perfect for hand holding. But all my photography is tripod based, and the extra weight (for me) is more than compensated for by the increased flexibility that the longer working distance offers. (For example, the extra distance allows shallower shooting angle when used at low level on tripod for photographing fungi).

Completely agree with the comments regarding the tripod collar. Having such a collar significantly speeds up changes between landscape & portrait framing.

I've had the opportunity to compare the Sigma 150 with the 180, and quality wise, there's nothing in it. I'd thoroughly recommend either one.

EDIT - Also agree regarding macro being primarily a manual focus pastime. I've had my 180 for just about two years - and it's never been used in autofocus mode yet!

Regards,
Mike.

Geoff F · #10 (**permalink**) 26-07-2010, 08:04 PM

If you have never tried it in autofocus, Mike, you must be a lot quicker than me on bumblebees! But that is the only time I ever use auto.

Like Mike, I preferred the Sigma 180 mm for the extra reach; but this is a heavy tripod only lens.

I have tried a Canon 1.4x converter plus a 12 mm extension tube and although it does work, I rarely use it. You do lose quite a bit of light and when working around F14 most of the time, every bit of light is needed unless you are in full sunshine.

But the first question is exactly what do you intend to photograph? Something around 100 mm, or less, is ideal for flowers etc, but for small flighty insects I really appreciate the 180. Although the 150 is a good compromise.

With regard to Canon v. Sigma. When I was reading up on this, prior to purchase, the reviews all said that Canon was slightly superior but at twice the cost, approx. So I went for Sigma. However, if money is no problem, you might as well get the best!