Sigma 150mmF2.8 HSM macro

[La Fontaine]

I am seriously considering this lens.

Based on reviews, this seems to be a fabulous lens to get. Apart from great optical performance, it has got HSM, tripod collar, longer subject distance compared with the common 90/100/105mm macro. Another great attribute is that it is a constant length lens, as compared with the others, with long extension as you focus nearer.

Uses - nature like insects, flowers; ocasionally portraits, document copying.

Going to get it in HK, at $8++. Locally it is $10++.

Anyone using? Feedback?

[Headshotzx]

Document copying? You'd probably need to stand about 5 meters back or more to have a whole A4 paper framed.

I'm interested in this lens too. S$800 sounds like a good deal. Check for warranty!

I know there's one nikon user who bought his and is in love with it. Forgot who.. the guy with the picture of him with a helicopter behind for an avatar pic.

One thing you'd need to take note of is that it's quite heavy, so a tripod will be good for macro.

[Daedalus Trent]

hmm...i wonder who...
yea, love that lens (my copy's sharp at f2.8!) But its kinda heavy


sorry no time to post pictures, i'll do that when i'm free

[KY1977]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent hmm...i wonder who... yea, love that lens (my copy's sharp at f2.8!) But its kinda heavy sorry no time to post pictures, i'll do that when i'm free

Haha.. heng you have not change you avatar.

[Daedalus Trent]

ok...finally got my flickr acct

here are some shots i took with the Sigma

a little kerangga ant...


a little spider...


and a little grasshopper!

[wuyongzheng]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent

Nice shot. I can even feel its emotion. May I know what is the aperture used?

[Daedalus Trent]

Originally Posted by wuyongzheng Nice shot. I can even feel its emotion. May I know what is the aperture used?

thanks!
the aperture was set at f11 if you check the exif data

[wuyongzheng]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent the aperture was set at f11 if you check the exif data

I see. Thanks. I've checked but it seems there's no exif data embedded.

[Headshotzx]

Ah hah. There you are.. soz I forgot your nick

I'm super interested in this lens too... but I just have too many purchases to commit to before this.. Have tripod.. 70-200.. 50D.. ughh =/

Nice shot of the ant though.

Cheers
Zexun

[psychobiologist]

Originally Posted by La Fontaine I am seriously considering this lens. Based on reviews, this seems to be a fabulous lens to get. Apart from great optical performance, it has got HSM, tripod collar, longer subject distance compared with the common 90/100/105mm macro. Another great attribute is that it is a constant length lens, as compared with the others, with long extension as you focus nearer. Uses - nature like insects, flowers; ocasionally portraits, document copying. Going to get it in HK, at $8++. Locally it is $10++. Anyone using? Feedback?

i do tons of document copying... at least 10k pages done so far.. (usually books)...

a 50mm prime or a 35mm prime suffice most of the time. with a 50mm, at a5 size you need working distance of abt 0.6-0.7m.. at 105mm.. you'll probably be on the ceiling.

[La Fontaine]

Originally Posted by psychobiologist i do tons of document copying... at least 10k pages done so far.. (usually books)... a 50mm prime or a 35mm prime suffice most of the time. with a 50mm, at a5 size you need working distance of abt 0.6-0.7m.. at 105mm.. you'll probably be on the ceiling.

Many thanks to all those who gave your feedback.

10k pages - that is helluva lot. Dunno if there is other better way to digitise documents. The Canon copier/scanner in my office is very, very fast and has got a doc feeder - I guess that is about the best way.

When I said doc copying, I was thinking just copying a few sheet, which is much faster than using a home scanner that takes an eternity to do a page.

Working distance - I believe that there is a formula that relates the size of document in relation to the focal length of the lens, given the sensor size.

I guess for copying work, a 50mmF1.8 would be great, even though I only need to do it ocasionally. This lens is cheap and good.

[Daedalus Trent]

yea, a 50mm will do a pretty decent job

The Sigma 150mm'll do a great job too though...3-5 words at a time

[ianwurn]

Originally Posted by La Fontaine I am seriously considering this lens. Based on reviews, this seems to be a fabulous lens to get. Apart from great optical performance, it has got HSM, tripod collar, longer subject distance compared with the common 90/100/105mm macro. Another great attribute is that it is a constant length lens, as compared with the others, with long extension as you focus nearer. Uses - nature like insects, flowers; ocasionally portraits, document copying. Going to get it in HK, at $8++. Locally it is $10++. Anyone using? Feedback?

Yeah, these are great lens. Daedulus has great pixs !

Got it for slightly less than S$800 but that's from US....... so warranty is in doubt. Same if you get it in HK tho.....

Great lens, gotta take note that I hear that the finishing peels in humid weather tho. A tad heavy at 895g but that doesnt bother me.

[La Fontaine]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent ok...finally got my flickr acct here are some shots i took with the Sigma a little kerangga ant... ]

Wow, great pic! Thanks for sharing.

[La Fontaine]

Originally Posted by ianwurn Yeah, these are great lens. Daedulus has great pixs ! Got it for slightly less than S$800 but that's from US....... so warranty is in doubt. Same if you get it in HK tho..... Great lens, gotta take note that I hear that the finishing peels in humid weather tho. A tad heavy at 895g but that doesnt bother me.

Warranty in doubt? Just take the risk la.

Paint peeling - no big issue for me, just gaffer it lor. Come to think of it, for amateur use, say at most 5hr of use per week, the rest of the time kept in a low humidity drybox. It is like 5hr of high humidy exposure out of 168hr/week.

At 895gm, I guess it balances well with my D200.

BTW, the bokeh looks smooth, pleasant and creamy in Daedulus' pic - I love it.

[ianwurn]

Originally Posted by La Fontaine Warranty in doubt? Just take the risk la. Paint peeling - no big issue for me, just gaffer it lor. Come to think of it, for amateur use, say at most 5hr of use per week, the rest of the time kept in a low humidity drybox. It is like 5hr of high humidy exposure out of 168hr/week. At 895gm, I guess it balances well with my D200. BTW, the bokeh looks smooth, pleasant and creamy in Daedulus' pic - I love it.

Yep, I figured the same. Don't think Sigma's QC is that bad..... ha...... So far, mine's been great !

[Daedalus Trent]

haha, thx!

and yea, if you remove the tripod collar..it does balance quite nicely with a D200.
(note: 'balance nicely' does not mean it isn't bloody heavy )

[egnaro]

what about comparison on Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro and Sigma 150 macro?

in term of weight, price and IQ, I think it is still worth to get 105mm. it just me and personal preference.

[Daedalus Trent]

Originally Posted by egnaro what about comparison on Sigma 105mm F2.8 macro and Sigma 150 macro? in term of weight, price and IQ, I think it is still worth to get 105mm. it just me and personal preference.

yea, I agree. Seen some really good shots taken with a 105 (with is a lot lighter, mind you ) Unless the extra 45mm is really crucial, the 105mm isn't a half-bad choice

[egnaro]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Trent yea, I agree. Seen some really good shots taken with a 105 (with is a lot lighter, mind you ) Unless the extra 45mm is really crucial, the 105mm isn't a half-bad choice

I am using four-thirds system and you are using nikon system, so our FOV is pretty much close.

four thirds 105mm 2x equiv to 210mm
nikon 150mm 1.6x (am I right) equiv to 240mm

so no much diff on mine and your.

but I must say, 105 and 150, these are great lens at its price.