Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Already in my possession is the older version of Nikon 105mm micro lens, I would like to explore a macro lens of a longer focal length. This lens is reasonably priced (I got it during promotion with the price just slightly higher than the sigma 150mm macro lens) and I have seen breathtaking photos taken by this lens on the internet.
The photo quality of the images I have taken so far is excellent; the contrast and colour very close to Nikon lens. In addition, the lens has a good balance when handheld (I don't use a tripod and so I remove the tripod collar) with the hood. The advantage over macro lens of shorter focal length is the flexibility to work from a longer distance. Gone are the days when the butterfly, bees and moths would flee from the scenes when I tried to approach them. In addition, when I took this lens only on a trip, I can switch comfortably between taking small objects and birds from a distance. Today a black crowned egret flew past and I could take a reasonbly sharp photo of it. (Focus with HSM at a distant object is fast.)
The disadvantages (which I can settle) are
(a) its weight when compared with 105mm lens
(b) the relative shallow depth of field when compared with 105mm lens and 150mm lens
(c) the slightly greater challenge to ensure the entire object lies on the focal plane so that it is sharp all across
(d) coating of the barrel of the lens (not as good as the Nikon lenses)
However, since I can always increase the ISO by 1-2 steps and work with a smaller aperture, the resulting images can be as good as the other shorter lenes. Also, imagine taking just one lens instead of two when taking photos in the field is already a big incentive to give this lens a very serious thought.
To summarise, both the Sigma 150mm and Sigma 180mm are very strong contenders in the macro photography. In my case, since the prices of the lens during promotion are insignificant, I have no problem taking the longer lens. But if the prices resume to normal and the difference is big, I will have a bigger problem deciding which lens I should pick. For this 180mm lens, I have taking photos of jumping spiders, tiny bees, butterflies, small flowers,... and the images are crisp, sharp, colourful and better than I've ever dreamed.
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Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Canon SLR CamerasTaking picture of small animals and insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera and such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects. The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography, without disturbing the subjects. The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO lens has a very narrow field of view, and can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography. Floating Inner Focusing System The Floating Inner Focus System of the APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX HSM provides high quality optical performance and superior handling and stability. This system moves two lens groups within the lens, so the lens\' physical length remains unchanged. This technique also maintains good correction for Spherical Aberration and Astigmatism, and provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro. Full-time Manual Focus with HSM Macro photography requires precise focus adjustment. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) feature is ideal for this purpose as it allows quick and precise manual focus, even in auto focus mode. Simply focus with HSM auto focus, then while partially depressing the shutter release, turn the manual focus ring until any desired focus adjustment is made. Then depress the shutter release fully to take the picture. It is not necessary to switch from AF to MF. When the shutter release is next depressed, the AF function will resume
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