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

[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.

[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.

[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.



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



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,

[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 $$$.

[birddog114]

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

[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.

[birddog114]

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.

[dhess]

What if you are not a very good button pusher? Me

Which one is better then?

[birddog114]

What if you are not a very good button pusher? Me

Which one is better then?

Then please read my previously post

[dhess]

Thanks for the nice pics.

I am seriously leaning towards the 150mm now.

[sirhc55]

If you are not a good button pusher - use the IR remote

[dhess]

BUt the remote has a button as well!?!

[xerubus]

i'll throw a spanner in for you.... as i've said previously, you can't go past the tamron 90mm macro.



cheers

[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.

[dhess]

But where can I get the Tamron 90 or 180 for a good price?

[sirhc55]

BUt the remote has a button as well!?!

Whoops! So true

[Glen]

Maybe Birddog?

[xerubus]

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

[dhess]

I have a Manfrotto 055NAT3 tripod with a 486RC2 head.

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

[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

[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

[birddog114]

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.

[gstark]

Bob,

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.

[gstark]

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.

[dhess]

Thanks everyone.

Just ordered the Sigma 150mm.

[Glen]

Let us know what you think of it

[dhess]

Will do.

Can't wait!

[fozzie]

dhess,

Thanks everyone.

Just ordered the Sigma 150mm.

Well done, and enjoy your new glass.

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

Cheers,

[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

[birddog114]

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

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

[the foto fanatic]

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

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

[dhess]

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.

[the foto fanatic]

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.