Any difference DG/non-DG version in Sigma 105mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro EX

[hinioman]

I have been sort of mislead into buying a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 and the owner do not specify it is a 1:1 Macro lens and he falls short in clarifying the models specific. And I then follow up with question if it is EX DG version, the latest of the lens. I am newbie to lens signature in Sigma and he assured me of EX version and not mention anything on DG. I did not bargain on the price as I thought it was a good price listed at $250. Now I found out it was the non-DG version, not specifically designed for dSLR. While it is full frame compatible, I don't know if you can offer me your experience with non-DG version of the lens.

I sold my Lester A Dine f/2.8 1:1 Macro as I find myself having problems close to 1:1 in manual focusing. And I find the need for AF in shooting bugs that move such as bees moving around flowers. I find MF very difficult to catch up with bees. And hence I go for the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 1:1 and painfully get mislead into the non-DG version of the lens.

I have 2 macro lens with 1:2 macro ratio and Frank has been asking me to sell him my Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro in my camera gear. If I ever save up enough to be able to afford to get DA 35mm limited 1:1 Macro, I would think about selling the Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro to cover cost.

Thank you for your inputs.

[longko]

Sorry about your lost. Think your current Sigma model is SIG105MNIKLS. It's NOT a macro lens as specified in many website (even on FF). Some seller will tend not to give a full facts so that they can sell off their lens. It common I guess.

It's a real pity that u sold ur Lester Dine, hope u at least got a good price out of it. My advise is, if u find a good sharp vintage lens, don't sell off. Edit: Think about it even if u sold off at a high price, later regret, you'll be taking another risk buying off someone u don't know. Then you found urself in a situation like worst than non-DG Sigma (like sticky blade, elements tempted with, etc), then what are u going to do? Be like the non-DG seller or fork out extra to buy another? From what I see on ur flickr photos, ur Pentax A 50mm 1:2 is a lovely copy, if I'm u I won't risk it.

You can take flying bee shots with trap focus. Most ppl don't use AF to take flying bee shots. Some ppl invest on a sensor system than AF macro lens for flying shots.

[hinioman]

Originally Posted by longko Sorry about your lost. Think your current Sigma model is SIG105MNIKLS. It's NOT a macro lens as specified in many website (even on FF). Some seller will tend not to give a full facts so that they can sell off their lens. It common I guess. It's a real pity that u sold ur Lester Dine, hope u at least got a good price out of it. My advise is, if u find a good sharp vintage lens, don't sell off. Edit: Think about it even if u sold off at a high price, later regret, you'll be taking another risk buying off someone u don't know. Then you found urself in a situation like worst than non-DG Sigma (like sticky blade, elements tempted with, etc), then what are u going to do? Be like the non-DG seller or fork out extra to buy another? From what I see on ur flickr photos, ur Pentax A 50mm 1:2 is a lovely copy, if I'm u I won't risk it. You can take flying bee shots with trap focus. Most ppl don't use AF to take flying bee shots. Some ppl invest on a sensor system than AF macro lens for flying shots.

Thanks for the input. My lens has not arrived. The seller confirms with me and I saw the picture with 1:1 Macro wording on the lens barrel. I was not careful in checking on DG and his lens is the previous version without the DG signature. From my understanding the DG version is specifically designed for dSLR to guard against ghosting, flare and others. The DG is likely incompatible to FF camera.

About the Lester A Dine, it is a vintage lens, I bought the whole thing with a Dine Macro Ringlight along with a zx-5 body, and a M 50mm f/1.7 for about $430.00 and I sold it about the same price later to another Pentax forum member who actually bid the lens up and later get acquainted with me with Private Message asking each other "Was that you in the bidding". It is a small world. The Lester A Dine is sold and discussed in these two thread with bunch of test photos and my assessment in my blog page. The focusing ring is way too stiff to use in trap focusing, I think. That lens work better with flowers than bugs in terms of the stiffness in the focusing ring design. Some people love it, but I can't use it to go close to 1:1, I can only manage to go 1:2 in macro with that lens. My skills are obviously not there to appreciate the greatness of that lens.

Sale thread:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/s...ax-zx-5-a.html

Discussion thread:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...l-macro-3.html

Thanks,
Hin

[longko]

Originally Posted by hinioman Thanks for the input. My lens has not arrived. The seller confirms with me and I saw the picture with 1:1 Macro wording on the lens barrel. I was not careful in checking on DG and his lens is the previous version without the DG signature. From my understanding the DG version is specifically designed for dSLR to guard against ghosting, flare and others. The DG is likely incompatible to FF camera. About the Lester A Dine, it is a vintage lens, I bought the whole thing with a Dine Macro Righlight along with a zx-5 body, and a M 50mm f/1.7 for about $430.00 and I sold it about the same price later to another Pentax forum member who actually bid the lens up and later get acquainted with me with Private Message asking each other "Was that you in the bidding". It is a small world. The Lester A Dine is sold in this thread with bunch of test photos and my assessment in my blog page. The focusing ring is way too stiff to use trap focusing, I think. That lens work better with flowers than bugs in terms of the stiffness in the focusing ring design. Some people love it, but I can't use it to go close to 1:1, I can only manage to go 1:2 in macro with that lens. My skills are obviously not there to appreciate the greatness of that lens. Sale thread: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/s...ax-zx-5-a.html Discussion thread: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/p...l-macro-3.html Thanks, Hin

But at true 1:1 macro, you don't use the focusing ring^^; You move the lens forward and back to focus. Ya DG helps improved IQ on digital bodies^^

Edit: BTW I tend to use macro lens at 1:1 cause I find even at 1:1 the magnification is too little. Could it be that particular Lester Dine lens? Cause you are someone who can do macro. My Vivitar 105mm does not have a sticker/label on the barrel of the lens, it moves smoothly.

Edit 2: If the EX Sigma really can't do 1:1, you can try adding ur Tamron 1.4x to it. It should help.

[fengwei]

The A50/2.8 macro is a great little lens, which I sold but missed so much, had to buy it back, that's why I asked you And luckily the one I sold circled around and ended up in my hand after being away for 2 months. I won't make the same mistake again

As to the DG non-DG or DI (from Tamron) non-DI debating, I don't think the difference is too much to be bothered. And besides, there is no bad macro lens anyway.

[longko]

Originally Posted by fengwei As to the DG non-DG or DI (from Tamron) non-DI debating, I don't think the difference is too much to be bothered. And besides, there is no bad macro lens anyway.

As for Tamron 90mm Di and non-Di goes, you can tell the diff especially in Sunlight. The build is also slightly diff. Tamron not only improved the coating, but also the build. Having owned a Di and tested seefei non-Di I can see and feel the diff.

Ya no real bad macro lens, just some give better result than others. Of cos the human behind plays the most impt part.

[otc]

I must admit that moving insects/bess are very difficult to capture in macro mode especially in 1:1 magnification, reasons being the DOF is extremely thin at the point of focus. I do not think auto focus helps in macro. Focus trap may be the answer though I have not try yet.
By the way, I have never own a AF macro lens, so far. ha ha..

For 1: 1 magnification. I set the lens to max ie barrel of lens extending to the maximum and focus is done thru inching my body forward and backward. At maximum magnificaton, the DOF will be extememly thin whether f2.5 or f9 is used.

Moving insect, probably capturing at 1:2 magnification and have the image cropped. You may want to consider the use of flash lights which allow higher shutter speed to freeze moving insect. Low shutter often result in blur image, even breathing in cause camera shake.. its that sensitive for macro shooters.

otc

[hinioman]

Originally Posted by fengwei The A50/2.8 macro is a great little lens, which I sold but missed so much, had to buy it back, that's why I asked you And luckily the one I sold circled around and ended up in my hand after being away for 2 months. I won't make the same mistake again As to the DG non-DG or DI (from Tamron) non-DI debating, I don't think the difference is too much to be bothered. And besides, there is no bad macro lens anyway.

Frank, thanks for the needed comment and reminder about the Pentax A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro. I am glad you found your original copy. It is a small world.

A side question to Frank, if I save enough to get the DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro limited, would the 35mm do a better job than the 50mm. I already have Pentax FA 50 f/1.4, which I love dearly as my Sushi Lens and Pizza lens and in my planning, I plan to add either the DA 35mm f/2.8 as a normal walkaround prime with good macro capability for those close up shots. I am trying hard not to have duplicate lens with similar characteristics. Would you advice if the DA 35mm can safely replace the A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro? Or you see them as two very different lens worth keeping. I find the A 50mm f/2.8 1:2 Macro very sharp and it has quite a strong point in its bokeh and it works well in manual focusing with almost a full turn for those fine tuning in focus precision. It is one of those charming lens that I may regret letting go.

It is a balancing act not to rush into selling but I want to have the minimalist approach to lens. If one lens can replace 70% in the functionality of an existing lens and does better in some other aspects, I will let the exiisting gear to go to someone's else home. And remember my PM to you: when I buy the DA 35, my A 50mm f/2.8 may go.

Thanks,
Hin

[fengwei]

A50/2.8 vs DA35/2.8? Hard to choose. But if I were the one to make the decision, I'd stick w/ the A50/2.8 It's by far one of my favorite lenses. I had the DA35 macro for a very short while, great little lens. I'm sure you'd love it, and make some great shots with it too. I can't say one can replace the other, it's your own choice. My suggestion is to buy or borrow one to try and see how you like it.

I myself also don't want to keep so many lenses, that's why I had to let the DA35 go. If I had the time to shoot as I wanted, I'd keep the DA35 as well.

My goal is to keep not more than 10 lenses. But now I'm still 2 over the limit

[hinioman]

I bought this lens used from PentaxForums MarketPlace thinking that it is the EX-DG version, not that the seller intentionally misled me, but I was naive in not knowing what DG is special for. I only confirmed that my version is EX and that it is a 1:1 macro.

Even with the non-DG version, I kind of like it after taking few test shots. Frank's words is encouraging, there is usually no crappy macro lens. He means that Macro lens are special in the area of sharpness.

And so far I find the test images to be good to outstanding and concur with Peter and Frank's valuable inputs . Others, please comment what you know about DG and non-DG version of the Sigma macro.


1. MF/AF switch on lens barrel

I find the MF switch on lens barrel somewhat a strange beast to me. Upon toggling from AF to MF, the focusing ring can't be used for MF until I also switch to MF on body. Without switching to MF on body, the ring is difficult to turn as the AF is still engaged

And here comes the caveat that I have the biggest problem with. With MF is switched on camera body as well as the lens barrel, I lose focus trap that I usually rely on in AF mode where shutter is disabled until focus lock is obtained. I can only rely on the focus beep confirmation to hit the focus lock. And my previous dependency on the focus trap locking get me trained to hit the shutter fully pressed while aiming at the subject. And that practice get me into troubles into shooting many out-of-focus shots. With this lens, I need to re-train my shutter practice.

2. Some test pictures

Various mistakes happen on my part with some soft images. What do you all think? Is the lens a keeper?

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro Ex (non-DG) -- Hin's Tech Corner

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[hinioman]

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