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Confused!?! Which macro Sigma 105mm macro or 150mm macro?

PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 11:43 pm
by dhess
Its shopping time and I am having trouble deciding which lense to get.

Sigma 105 macro or 150 macro.

Am keen on the extra reach of the 150mm and extra working distance and tighter angle. But not sure if I can justify paying nearly double the price.

Would love to hear from people who have used either of these lenses.

Would also be interedted to learn how well they perform as telephoto lenses.

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 12:52 pm
by petal666
I have the 180mm Sigma macro and I am really glad of the extra working distance. the macro lenses are really sharp and so some people use the 100mm macros for portraits. I have used the 180mm for this as well but you do have to stand a long way back. This actually came in handy when taking photos of my 3 month old son as he just stares at the camera when I am close.

The lens can actually focus pretty quickly when not doing macro shots but I have not tried it for fast action sports as I use my 120-300f2.8 for that.

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 4:38 pm
by fozzie
dhess,

Here are some websites containing reviews:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show ... &thecat=13

http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforu ... ewmode=all

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show ... roduct=280

I will add to this thread tonight, with some macro shots from my Sigma 150mm f/2.8.

Image

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 1/250sec f/6.3 ISO200

Image

Sigma 150mm f/2.8 1/60sec f/11 ISO200

Footnote: with the Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM at a later stage you could add:

APO Tele-Converter EX (optional)

It is also possible to use this lens with Sigma 1.4x EX and 2x EX APO Tele-Converter. When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 210mm F4 AF tele-macro lens or a 300mm F5.6 MF tele-macro lens respectively.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses ... avigator=5


Have a great day,

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:10 pm
by dhess
Thanks for the replies.

I have considered both sigma and tamron 180's but like te extra speed of the 150.

Thanks for the links Fozzie. Have read heaps of reviews of the sigmas but had not seen the ones on fredmiranda.

I guess what I am really trying to work out is if:

As a beginner will I bew able to utilise the 150mm lense?

and

Maybe the 105mm will do all I want it to do for a whole lot less $$$.

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:13 pm
by birddog114
dhess wrote:Thanks for the replies.

I have considered both sigma and tamron 180's but like te extra speed of the 150.

Thanks for the links Fozzie. Have read heaps of reviews of the sigmas but had not seen the ones on fredmiranda.

I guess what I am really trying to work out is if:

As a beginner will I bew able to utilise the 150mm lense?

and

Maybe the 105mm will do all I want it to do for a whole lot less $$$.


dhess,
It's easy solution, get one of each and try then sell or ebay whatever you don't need later :roll: :wink:

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:16 pm
by sirhc55
It’s not the lens but the button pusher who is important. I have a 105 and I am very happy with it - others have the 150 and are happy.

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:19 pm
by birddog114
sirhc55 wrote:It’s not the lens but the button pusher who is important. I have a 105 and I am very happy with it - others have the 150 and are happy.


Yeah! the button pusher is the ones! and the decision maker.

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:24 pm
by dhess
What if you are not a very good button pusher? :lol: Me :oops:

Which one is better then?

PostPosted: Tue May 17, 2005 6:25 pm
by birddog114
dhess wrote:What if you are not a very good button pusher? :lol: Me :oops:

Which one is better then?


Then please read my previously post 8)

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 11:54 am
by dhess
Thanks for the nice pics.

I am seriously leaning towards the 150mm now.

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:11 pm
by sirhc55
If you are not a good button pusher - use the IR remote :lol:

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:13 pm
by dhess
BUt the remote has a button as well!?! :?

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:16 pm
by xerubus
i'll throw a spanner in for you.... as i've said previously, you can't go past the tamron 90mm macro.

:D

cheers

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:23 pm
by Glen
Dhess, my question is do you have a good tripod? I have the sigma 105, which can easily be handheld. I recently tried Birddy's 200mm, which can also be handheld but in most situations demands a tripod. I have not used the 150mm.

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:23 pm
by dhess
But where can I get the Tamron 90 or 180 for a good price? :?:

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:31 pm
by sirhc55
dhess wrote:BUt the remote has a button as well!?! :?


Whoops! So true :oops:

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:31 pm
by Glen
Maybe Birddog?

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:32 pm
by xerubus
dhess wrote:But where can I get the Tamron 90 or 180 for a good price? :?:


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... 643&is=USA

bhphotovideo nyc $480US

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:33 pm
by dhess
I have a Manfrotto 055NAT3 tripod with a 486RC2 head.

Don't know it is considered good or not but it shuld do.

PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:38 pm
by dhess
Birddog doesn't do Tamron gear.

Thanks for the link Xerubus. I know the Tamron 90 is a great lense but it seems kind of pricey compared to the Sigma 105 which is supposedly in the sam league optically. Is it :? :?:

Prime lenses generally

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 12:54 am
by rjlhughes
I've searched a bit but can't see if there's been much discussion on the site about using primes vs zoom lenses.

Does anyone use only primes? (I do like Jamesm's images).

Or do sensor hygiene issues limit the amount of lens changing people are happy with?

And do the primes out resolve the capacity of censor anyway?

Bob

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 7:39 am
by birddog114
dhess wrote:Birddog doesn't do Tamron gear.

Thanks for the link Xerubus. I know the Tamron 90 is a great lense but it seems kind of pricey compared to the Sigma 105 which is supposedly in the sam league optically. Is it :? :?:


I have coupe Tamron lenses but not keen in selling them, cos prices wise.
In comparision with the Tamron & Sigma, Sigma has more values and qualities than Tamron.

Re: Prime lenses generally

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 8:08 am
by gstark
Bob,

rjlhughes wrote:I've searched a bit but can't see if there's been much discussion on the site about using primes vs zoom lenses.

Does anyone use only primes? (I do like Jamesm's images).

Or do sensor hygiene issues limit the amount of lens changing people are happy with?

And do the primes out resolve the capacity of censor anyway?

Bob


Might I be so bold as to ask you to repost your questions into two new threads? You're posting these questions here, within the context of a different question, and it's quite likely that your questions - or any answers - may well be passed over.

By posing each question within its own thread, you'll be able to get the members' focus directly on each question, ant the likelihood of a meaningful response will greatly increase, I expect.

Thanx.

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 8:09 am
by gstark
Birddog114 wrote:In comparision with the Tamron & Sigma, Sigma has more values and qualities than Tamron.


My experience is quite the reverse.

I can see myself using Tamron on occassions.

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 2:38 pm
by dhess
Thanks everyone.

Just ordered the Sigma 150mm. :D

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 3:02 pm
by Glen
Let us know what you think of it

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 3:06 pm
by dhess
Will do.

Can't wait!

PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 3:09 pm
by fozzie
dhess,

dhess wrote:Thanks everyone.

Just ordered the Sigma 150mm. :D


Well done, and enjoy your new glass.

sirhc55 will be along soon as the Sigma Chairman, offering free admission to Sigma Club meets.

Cheers,

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 5:34 pm
by dhess
Got the 150mm Sigma today. Thanks again to Birddog and Mr. Poon for excellent service.

First impressions:

Sharp as hell
Great build quality
Nice padded bag

Shots to follow as soon as I can take some macro pics that I am not ashamed of sharing :oops:

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 5:37 pm
by birddog114
dhess wrote:Got the 150mm Sigma today. Thanks again to Birddog and Mr. Poon for excellent service.

First impressions:

Sharp as hell
Great build quality
Nice padded bag

Shots to follow as soon as I can take some macro pics that I am not ashamed of sharing :oops:


You finally got the lens you want! 8) another new Sigma fan and member! where's the Chairman? No welcome sign :lol:

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 5:50 pm
by the foto fanatic
dhess wrote:Got the 150mm Sigma today. Thanks again to Birddog and Mr. Poon for excellent service.

First impressions:

Sharp as hell
Great build quality
Nice padded bag

Shots to follow as soon as I can take some macro pics that I am not ashamed of sharing :oops:


Look forward to seeing some nice images from down Teneriffe way! Good shooting!

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:03 pm
by dhess
cricketfan wrote:Look forward to seeing some nice images from down Teneriffe way! Good shooting!


I wouldn't mind having a go at one of the numerous geckos crawling all over the buildings.

Any other suggestions? PS We'll have to catch up for that coffee sometime or a beer perhaps.

PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2005 6:14 pm
by the foto fanatic
dhess wrote:
cricketfan wrote:Look forward to seeing some nice images from down Teneriffe way! Good shooting!


I wouldn't mind having a go at one of the numerous geckos crawling all over the buildings.

Any other suggestions? PS We'll have to catch up for that coffee sometime or a beer perhaps.


Try a walk around New Farm Park and the Powerhouse, I'm fairly sure you'll find some interesting subjects, and yes, we should arrange to meet. I'll PM you.