seeking opinion on sigma 150mm macro lens

[tcy81]

Hi,

Want to check with anyone of you that has this Sigma AF 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM lens or have use it before.
Can give me some advise or opinion as i considering getting this lens.

Thanks.

[benetay]

I think Billy uses it. From his picture you can tell. It's a quick lens with HSM compare to tamron. Overall i will say that it is a great lens but i've not seen someone using it on a Canon system yet. Does it give compatibility issue ?

Tamron,Canon,Nikon,Sigma Macro lens are great. Sigma 150 is the lightest among all. Weight might be an issue.

What system are you using.

[tcy81]

i using canon 1.6x crop dslr

[Goondoo]

Hi,

Want to check with anyone of you that has this Sigma AF 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM lens or have use it before.
Can give me some advise or opinion as i considering getting this lens.

Thanks.

I think I am probably the only person in AQ using this lens. Quality wise, judge it yourself, some like it, some don't (claiming it has a warm color).
I had some pictures taken using the lens, you may view them at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billycheong/

Personally, I like the lens as it focus a lot faster than the rest I had tried. Many will tell you that you will normally use Manual focus during macro shooting but I must admit that the fast and accurate auto focus help me shoot a lot of fast moving spiders than I would have should I had depend solely on manual focus. The manual over ride during auto focus is a gem. Not to mention f2.8's bokeh I believe you will find a lot more reviews at fredmiranda.com

I have good reach so far with all the macro subjects I need ranging from butterflies to spiders (I added a ET recently).
Hope this helps.

[tcy81]

thanks for sharing the photos, they look excellent.
By the way, any issues with lens coating peeling ?
Do you usually use with or without tripod ?

[Goondoo]

thanks for sharing the photos, they look excellent.
By the way, any issues with lens coating peeling ?

erm... not yet at least (touch wood)

[tcy81]

oh i see, possible to use it handheld (without the tripod collar) ?

[benetay]

As it's one of the lightest among the rest of the brand, it's possible to handhold for macro shots. With practice you will soon learn how to use it perfectly.

You might consider using a monopod for insect macro when the lighting is dim.

Have you considered other alternatives too?


Cheers!

[Goondoo]

oh i see, possible to use it handheld (without the tripod collar) ?

I am using it currently on a D300 with a 20mm extension tube with tripod collar and a manfrotto tripod mount piece. Hand holding 99% of the time and sometimes shooting at shuttle speed of 1/80 or lower, I would say its possible, though I would bring my monopod (as a defense tool against agressive monkeys) during my trips.

[trident]

Billy,
You upgraded to the D300? wow!

[Goondoo]

Billy,
You upgraded to the D300? wow!

Yea, Government gave me about $1.9 from NSS (over the years) and I sold my D70s at near $700

[tcy81]

As it's one of the lightest among the rest of the brand, it's possible to handhold for macro shots. With practice you will soon learn how to use it perfectly.

You might consider using a monopod for insect macro when the lighting is dim.

Have you considered other alternatives too?

Cheers!

Maybe a cheaper alternative would be a tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens
But if can find a good deal for sigma's 150mm , would seriously consider it as i thinking it would work well as a
short telephoto lens also ?

I am using it currently on a D300 with a 20mm extension tube with tripod collar and a manfrotto tripod mount piece. Hand holding 99% of the time and sometimes shooting at shuttle speed of 1/80 or lower, I would say its possible, though I would bring my monopod (as a defense tool against agressive monkeys) during my trips.

Thanks for information. I need to find more vitamin "M". haha

[Goondoo]

Maybe a cheaper alternative would be a tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens
But if can find a good deal for sigma's 150mm , would seriously consider it as i thinking it would work well as a
short telephoto lens also ?

I would strongly discourage a Tamron as the only distributor in Singapore have closed down leaving many Tamron users at a lost. All 100mm range lenses perform about the same with extremely minor differences unless closely compared at 100% or more. Do consider Tokina as well.

[tcy81]

I would strongly discourage a Tamron as the only distributor in Singapore have closed down leaving many Tamron users at a lost. All 100mm range lenses perform about the same with extremely minor differences unless closely compared at 100% or more. Do consider Tokina as well.

I didnt know tamron distributor in singapore has closed down.
I just bought a tamron 17-50mm with my dslr.

[Goondoo]

I didnt know tamron distributor in singapore has closed down.
I just bought a tamron 17-50mm with my dslr.

As I was told by Lords

[benetay]

I've the same question as you 2 months back. In the end i still go for the original makers.

The Canon 100mm macro is great for fish photography & insects. It has USM & it's f/2.8. Build solidly! Sharp & fast. Maybe you will like to tell us what are you planning to shoot. If you are shooting fish i would say the 100mm range. Anything longer(150/180) you will need a tripod for extended shoot. It's great for skittish fishes like apisto, danios, etc.

So maybe by letting us know what's the usage, we can suggest the best value for money .

Billy you mean now all tamron lenses must be imported from overseas? Wonder what will happen if it need cleaning.

Cheers!

[Goondoo]

Billy you mean now all tamron lenses must be imported from overseas? Wonder what will happen if it need cleaning.

IIRC, Tamron's support had been relatively full of complains in recent years. With time taken, shipping to Japan, extra cost despite the warranty etc. You might as well send it to fatigue in CS with very good reputation (though I had not deal with him at all).

[benetay]

Noted, luckily so far i don't have any tamron lens yet. There is another shop near Ruby dealing with cleaning of lens. Heard it's very good too.

So Chee yong, maybe you can update us on what you are interested in shooting before we can comment any further.

Cheers!

[tcy81]

I've the same question as you 2 months back. In the end i still go for the original makers.

The Canon 100mm macro is great for fish photography & insects. It has USM & it's f/2.8. Build solidly! Sharp & fast. Maybe you will like to tell us what are you planning to shoot. If you are shooting fish i would say the 100mm range. Anything longer(150/180) you will need a tripod for extended shoot. It's great for skittish fishes like apisto, danios, etc.

So maybe by letting us know what's the usage, we can suggest the best value for money .

Billy you mean now all tamron lenses must be imported from overseas? Wonder what will happen if it need cleaning.

Cheers!

Primary use will be more for shooting fish i guess.
maybe sometimes will bring it out to take some flowers, insects.

I try using Canon's 100mm to shoot rasboras, hunt quite alot in AF.

[Goondoo]

Primary use will be more for shooting fish i guess.
maybe sometimes will bring it out to take some flowers, insects.

I try using Canon's 100mm to shoot rasboras, hunt quite alot in AF.

*cough cough*
Shooting fish is very different from insects as most of them doesn't stop at all...