Sigma 150mm - taken the plunge

[matt_xyz]

well I've taken the plunge and ordered a Sigma 150mm macro lens to go with my Canon 400D body. I went with URGalaxy and got a price that seems very competitive (£273 + £40 postage), I just hope it arrives OK. It's always a slight gamble going with an overseas company like this, but I've used URGalaxy before and they were very good.

I'll be interested to see how it compares to my macro set up from last year (Panasonic FZ30 and close-up lenses). I was very pleased with the results from that set up and will no doubt still use it in certain situations.

Matt

[colincurry]

Hi Matt

Please keep us (me) posted - particularly on whether or not you are able to hand hold the beast.

Best

Colin

[rlchew]

Hi Matt

Good to hear you have joined the Siggy 150 club.

I bought mine around the same time last year and it really did open up my interest in butterflies, dragonflies ans damselflies.

It is an excellent lens although I think my technique using it can still improve.

I can't wait for spring to advance so the lens comes out again!

Good luck .... I am sure you will soon be posting some excellent macro photos.

Richard

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by colincurry

Hi Matt

Please keep us (me) posted - particularly on whether or not you are able to hand hold the beast.

Best

Colin

I'm not optimistic in that regard Colin. I'm pretty much resigned to using a tripod and will probably use the FZ30 (which obviously benefits from IS) in situations where a tripod isn't practical. We'll see though.

Matt

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by rlchew

Hi Matt

Good to hear you have joined the Siggy 150 club.

I bought mine around the same time last year and it really did open up my interest in butterflies, dragonflies ans damselflies.

It is an excellent lens although I think my technique using it can still improve.

I can't wait for spring to advance so the lens comes out again!

Good luck .... I am sure you will soon be posting some excellent macro photos.

Richard

thanks Richard, I'm also now looking forward to Spring

Matt

[Ollie]

Look forward to seeing your photos from it Matt, mines gathering dust in the camera cupboard as I aren't mobile enough to use it yet.
Roger

[Fourwings]

Thats one purchase you will never regret Matt, I wouldn't part with my Siggy 150 for anything.
You will definately see a huge advantage in the distance at which you can achieve great macro images of insects, infact, I'll have a bet with you that you will end up having to back off to fit Dragonflies into the frame, I know I did, it's a legacy of using DSLR style compacts for macro work, you are just so used to having to get really close up to them, but not anymore

As for camera support, this lens is best used with a tripod, it can be handheld but in my opinion the supported shots are always just that bit sharper plus you can take images in poor light conditions/areas, some people may tell you different but I have taken over 5,000 shots with this lens now so feel that I'm qualified to say this.

I'm looking forward to seeing some images from you and the 150 shortly, if you want any advice on best settings for this lens etc.. just give me a shout.

Steve.

[matt_xyz]

thanks Roger and Steve. Roger, you've still got a few weeks to recover before the insects are out in large numbers.

Steve, I'm sure you're right regarding the tripod. And I do recall being slightly amazed last summer when I saw you backing off from a dragonfly when you were already several feet away from it That does seem to be the main benefit I can expect compared to my FZ30 set-up, which required me to be around 8 inches from the subject. The other problem was that I couldn't always fit the whole dragonfly in frame with the close-up lenses.

Matt

[Boddie]

Does that mean we'll actually see some decent macro shots from you for a change?

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Does that mean we'll actually see some decent macro shots from you for a change?

I suspect they will get worse before they get better

Matt