Need advise on Sigma MACRO 150mm

[saymell]

I wanted this lens - Sigma MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM but was informed that it isn't good at focusing, especially for the 4/3rds system. Is this true? That some owners have in fact sent theirs back to Sigma for some service for it to work better with their respective Olympus camera, any one experienced this?

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...83&navigator=5

If isn't good whats the alternative? Thanks in advance for your valuable feedback.

[diCam]

This lens perform well but as a macro lens it's AF speed is not as fast, even though there is a HSM in it. Sigma lens with 4/3 mount is known to have back-focus issue. It is not a big problem per se. You can sent it back to Sigma SG for calibration. It takes less than 45 minutes if you fixed an appointment with them. This service is FOC if you buy it from a local authorised dealer, eg CP, TK, AP, MS.

[holidaydom]

I constantly hear people comment that MACRO lenses "focus poorly" or "focus slowly"... this is a common characteristic of ALL Macro lenses as they focus extremely precisely due to the lens design and of course their intended purpose - MACRO - where a slight mis-step in focusing can throw the subject out of focus because your shooting in such close range.

ALL Macro lenses focus slowly, relative to normal (general) lenses of a similar focal length that is.

HSM speeds things up a bit but you will still find it slow in comparasion to even your kit lens. Again - this is common with Macro Lenses, understand and come to terms with it.

Sharpness wise it is really good. The Sigma 150 was "modified" for 4/3rds as it's practally identical to Sigma's 150 for Nikon and Canon. Bearing in mind that with the 4/3rds format, you're using the best (center) most of the lens and so sharpness is good.

I personally have the SIGMA 105mm f2.8 and love it to death. It's much lighter and more compact than the 150 and I find the manual focusing easier to use as well.

In general you should not need to calibrate your lenses if you check it carefully at the shop.

But again, understand that it's a Macro so support your camera very well when testing so you don't end up assuming the lens is not focusing properly cos you caught a particular focus pont and then moved, twitched, breathed ever so slightly before pressing the shutter.

You can also do a serach for pics from NatureTTL - he uses the SIGMA 150 and is VERY good at milking lovely pics from it.

As far as 1:1 Macro Lenses foes for 4/3rds, I feel the 105 is the best all-rounder in terms of sharmness and handling but the 150 is just very slightly sharper.

[bernards]

I have a 150mm. I can manual focus faster than it can autofocus. It'll hunt even in the most optimal conditions, maybe it's because my copy front focuses badly. Since it's only used manually, there is no hurry for me to get it fixed.

You can couple quite a few different brands using adaptors and stop down metering. But it's more trouble and can slow you down due to the extra step. IMHO. There is no point going this route unless you intend to pay good money for first rate lenses.

[spidey89]

as posted by holidaydom,most,if not all macro lens autofocus rather slow,naturally manual focusing is faster,I don't have a sigma 150,so I can't give my inputs but i'm considering this as well as the 105,150 has more reach,but I think personally,both should be quite good

[headfonz]

dedicated macro lenses are built for precise focusing, not speed. so its unlikely anyone will be trying to AF on say a spider among some leaves and expect to machine gun their way to getting great macro shots.

but front or back focusing issues is still a problem of QC standards and it should still be fixed by the manufacturer, regardless if the user actually uses it. besides, if you decide to sell your lens in the future, a properly laser-calibrated lens will probably get you more potential buyers.

to answer your question on alternatives, in 4/3s, there really isn't much choices. you already own the ZD50 f2 so its unlikely for you to move to the ZD35 f3.5, until the ZD100 macro is annouced, that leaves you with the 2 sigmas.

the Sigma 105 f2.8 is compact and light for its reach and brightness whereas the Sigma 150 f2.8 will give you more room to work which can be priceless. also, the 150 has HSM which gives you quieter AF operations, but if you are using MF, the 105 is silent in MF just like the 150.

you should read up on Olyflyer's post (in the stickies) on bellows or ask NatureTTL on reversing legacy lenses for alternatives beyond the 4/3 macro lenses. also, it would help if you roughly have an idea what kind of macro or close-up work you would like to do, as working distance plays a big part in achieving what you want.

[spidey89]

Originally Posted by headfonz dedicated macro lenses are built for precise focusing, not speed. so its unlikely anyone will be trying to AF on say a spider among some leaves and expect to machine gun their way to getting great macro shots. but front or back focusing issues is still a problem of QC standards and it should still be fixed by the manufacturer, regardless if the user actually uses it. besides, if you decide to sell your lens in the future, a properly laser-calibrated lens will probably get you more potential buyers. to answer your question on alternatives, in 4/3s, there really isn't much choices. you already own the ZD50 f2 so its unlikely for you to move to the ZD35 f3.5, until the ZD100 macro is annouced, that leaves you with the 2 sigmas. the Sigma 105 f2.8 is compact and light for its reach and brightness whereas the Sigma 150 f2.8 will give you more room to work which can be priceless. also, the 150 has HSM which gives you quieter AF operations, but if you are using MF, the 105 is silent in MF just like the 150. you should read up on Olyflyer's post (in the stickies) on bellows or ask NatureTTL on reversing legacy lenses for alternatives beyond the 4/3 macro lenses. also, it would help if you roughly have an idea what kind of macro or close-up work you would like to do, as working distance plays a big part in achieving what you want.

I'll prefer manual focusing

[saymell]

Originally Posted by headfonz to answer your question on alternatives, in 4/3s, there really isn't much choices. you already own the ZD50 f2 so its unlikely for you to move to the ZD35 f3.5, until the ZD100 macro is annouced, that leaves you with the 2 sigmas. the Sigma 105 f2.8 is compact and light for its reach and brightness whereas the Sigma 150 f2.8 will give you more room to work which can be priceless. also, the 150 has HSM which gives you quieter AF operations, but if you are using MF, the 105 is silent in MF just like the 150.

I saw Allan's 150 Sigma lens and your 105 too and then decided to get the 150 after testing it on my e-510, that day @ TCC. The images were sharp. I like to shoot insects.

If you were me would you wait for the ZD100 or get the Sigma 150 now?

And I don't know why 'OP' is asking me for a deposit to order the Sigma 150.

[Blu-By-U]

What's the piece of the Sigma 150?

[onedollar]

Originally Posted by Blu-By-U What's the piece of the Sigma 150?

Y? U want to buy? I tot u already got 105? I check for u later when I go to office.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by saymell I saw Allan's 150 Sigma lens and your 105 too and then decided to get the 150 after testing it on my e-510, that day @ TCC. The images were sharp. I like to shoot insects. If you were me would you wait for the ZD100 or get the Sigma 150 now? And I don't know why 'OP' is asking me for a deposit to order the Sigma 150.

eh? i didn't bring the 105 to the kopi session leh.

anyway, i have no doubts about the ZD100's quality, judging by the recent batch of lenses like the ZD12-60, the ZD100 will likely to have stellar performance.

just guessing here, it will likely to be a f2, with a tripod collar, weather-sealed with image quality like the ZD50. I don't see how SWD will be useful on a macro lens, but who knows what surprises Oly will have up their sleeves. with all that, i doubt it would be affordable.

i'm not sure that olympus will pull to differeniate the ZD100 from the Sigma 105 or compete with the Sigma 105, but if its going to be 2x the price of the ZD50, i will probably give it a pass.

[dorts]

Originally Posted by headfonz eh? i didn't bring the 105 to the kopi session leh. anyway, i have no doubts about the ZD100's quality, judging by the recent batch of lenses like the ZD12-60, the ZD100 will likely to have stellar performance. just guessing here, it will likely to be a f2, with a tripod collar, weather-sealed with image quality like the ZD50. I don't see how SWD will be useful on a macro lens, but who knows what surprises Oly will have up their sleeves. with all that, i doubt it would be affordable. i'm not sure that olympus will pull to differeniate the ZD100 from the Sigma 105 or compete with the Sigma 105, but if its going to be 2x the price of the ZD50, i will probably give it a pass.

But who knows when it will be released.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by dorts But who knows when it will be released.

heh, the roadmap lists as 2008... (if olympus actually remembers that they have such a roadmap)

[saymell]

Originally Posted by Blu-By-U What's the piece of the Sigma 150?

They quoted 930 bucks with gst.

[holidaydom]

I'm personally keeping my SIGMA 105mm f2.8 until the OLY Macro is released.

I got mine with 2 years warranty from Sigma S'pore so it'll (hopefully) still fetch a good 2nd price...

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by holidaydom I'm personally keeping my SIGMA 105mm f2.8 until the OLY Macro is released. I got mine with 2 years warranty from Sigma S'pore so it'll (hopefully) still fetch a good 2nd price...

eh? 2 years warranty by Sigma? was there any charge for that?

[bernards]

Originally Posted by saymell They quoted 930 bucks with gst.

That is very cheap. I paid over a 100 more about 2 months ago.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by bernards That is very cheap. I paid more than a 100 more about 2 months ago.

OP should be carrying grey sets, so it can be cheaper.

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by headfonz eh? 2 years warranty by Sigma? was there any charge for that?

Nope, got the lens during a promotion by Sigma, didn't have to pay extra but the price was slightly higher than the general "shop price".

The 105 is really nice, manual focus is very quick and light as the focus ring mechanically connects to the lens elements.

I tend to use it on manual for Macro work and on AF for everything else (general shooting)

Despite being a 105mm focal length, I feel it makes a very nice portrait lens as well.

[headfonz]

Originally Posted by holidaydom Nope, got the lens during a promotion by Sigma, didn't have to pay extra but the price was slightly higher than the general "shop price". The 105 is really nice, manual focus is very quick and light as the focus ring mechanically connects to the lens elements. I tend to use it on manual for Macro work and on AF for everything else (general shooting) Despite being a 105mm focal length, I feel it makes a very nice portrait lens as well.

yeah, i have the 105 too, very nice lens. its a keeper