My sigma 70-300 mm lens

philcara

philcara

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So I bought this because I thought it would be a good macro lens to start out with and know I don't really know how to use it. It has a switch for normal to macro but when I zoom in with macro its not up close or it can't focus. How do I use this lens? Is this the wrong lens for I'm trying to do? Just to clarify I have a d40 and I'm trying to do things like this

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=164604


I think this is my lens...

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3346&navigator=3

When I found it, it was under the telephoto category so I guess that might be the problem. Why would it say macro if it was under telephoto?
 
It does have a macro capability but to be honest it's prity dire to be honest .Zoom lens full out flick switch to macro setting ,can't remember off hand ,but i think you've to be about 1/2 a mtr away i think :thinking:.
 
It wont do 'macro' under 200mm and min focus is 95-150cm / 37.4-59.1 in. as in the spec on the link. I had one of these and found it to be a good lens for the price. However it is NOT true macro, more close up. OK for flowers, insects etc, however NOT good enough for what you show on the other link!
 
Min focus distance for this lens is 95cm when in macro mode.

Yes, to set the macro you have to zoom to between 200-300mm and then flick the switch. The lens will then only zoom between 200-300mm.

To dissengage macro you have to lock focus on something in the distance (not a close up subject) and the flick the switch back, don't try and force the switch!

Do you have the instruction sheet that came with your lens? If you don't drop me a PM and I'll photocopy mine for you.

For the money, its quite an impressive lens :thumbs:
 
philcara said:
ok, thanks for the help guys. I guess this wasn't wasn't the lens I was looking for but I still love the lens for regular shots. I have my manual also.
Click to expand...

if you like it keep it ,it's not all about ... look how big and expensive my lens is !!!! .Your enjoying the lens ,to me thats more important :thumbs:
 
You can get some decent shots with the Sigma 70-300mm in its "macro" mode. It is not a true macro lens, more of a close up and will never be as sharp as a true 1:1 macro lens, but for larger insects its longer working distance is handy.

These were taken with my Sigma 70-300mm APO in its macro mode.

1.


Camera: Nikon D50
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/14
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 200

2.


Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400

3.


Camera: Nikon D50
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/13
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 400

4.


Camera: Nikon D90
Exposure: 0.001 sec (1/1250)
Aperture: f/9.0
Focal Length: 270 mm
ISO Speed: 400
 
You'll only get 1:2 macro (half life size ) with this lens, and to get that switch to manual focus, zoom to 300mm, set the focus to the closest setting and point at your subject (which should be about 95mm away according to other posts) then move the camera back-wards / for-wards until you get the shot in focus. you'll need a small aperture and a high shutter speed to get a sharp shot with good DOF. When using macro adjusting the lens focus using the lens focus ring actually changes the magnification.
 
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