Sigma 150mm macro

Trex500 · 12 Oct 2011

Hi

Thinking of buying the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM Macro Lens
Has anyone got one and if so any problems, if you have a sample shot I would be grateful. I know they haven't been out too long so finding one second hand is going to be tough.So will have to buy new.

I take it I can use the 1.4x converter with this lens also to give extra reach for general togging.??

Thank you.

eccles · 12 Oct 2011

I take it I can use the 1.4x converter with this lens also to give extra reach for general togging.??

Probably not unless you use a generic TC such as Teleplus. The Sigma EX TC front element protrudes into the rear of the lens so you need that clearance in the lens for it to fit.

Trex500 · 12 Oct 2011

eccles said:
Probably not unless you use a generic TC such as Teleplus. The Sigma EX TC front element protrudes into the rear of the lens so you need that clearance in the lens for it to fit.

Thanks I will check that out.

Spoken to sigma Uk it will be ok on this lens, its only on a few sigma lens that there is a problem.

Thanks again for pointing out possible problem

Mike.P · 12 Oct 2011

Trex500 said:
Spoken to sigma Uk it will be ok on this lens, its only on a few sigma lens that there is a problem. 70-200 zoom lens it has a problem with colliding when pulled back.

Not on my 70-200mm f2.8 it doesn't.

Maybe you mean 70-300mm?

Dogfish_magnet · 12 Oct 2011

I've got one

- not had much chance to use it but its very sharp and has good colour rendition, and yes its compatible with the 1.4 & 2x extenders

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-apo-macro-sigma but I've not tried them yet.

Here's a link to the converter compatibility matrix

Trex500 · 12 Oct 2011

Mike.P said:
Not on my 70-200mm f2.8 it doesn't.

Maybe you mean 70-300mm?

Edited post. dont want to post incorrect info supplied by others. Thanks for pointing out.

Trex500 · 12 Oct 2011

Dogfish_magnet said:
I've got one - not had much chance to use it but its very sharp and has good colour rendition, and yes its compatible with the 1.4 & 2x extenders

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/150mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm-apo-macro-sigma but I've not tried them yet.

Thanks, is auto focus ok on 2x. or is it manual only.

Dogfish_magnet · 12 Oct 2011

Trex500 said:
Thanks, is auto focus ok on 2x. or is it manual only.

~~It should do - 300mm at f5.6~~ - I'll check later and post some shots with & without the converters - i checked and its manual focus only - should have just read the sigma doc:bang:

Trex500 · 12 Oct 2011

Dogfish_magnet said:
It should do - 300mm at f5.6 - I'll check later and post some shots with & without the converters

Thank you, if you have time to do that I would be very grateful, wont be back till late evening possibly, so cant reply until then if you should post any, So again thanks in-advance.

eccles · 12 Oct 2011

Trex500 said:
Thanks I will check that out.

Spoken to sigma Uk it will be ok on this lens, its only on a few sigma lens that there is a problem.

Thanks again for pointing out possible problem

Ah, glad you're ok. The 105mm macro is incompatible and I assumed the 150mm would be the same.

Dogfish_magnet · 15 Oct 2011

Trex500 said:
Thank you, if you have time to do that I would be very grateful, wont be back till late evening possibly, so cant reply until then if you should post any, So again thanks in-advance.

Unfortunately the Lens has died - OS just spins up when attached to the body even if the body is switched off and wont settle (even with the OS turned of on the Lens)...........

Trex500 · 15 Oct 2011

Dogfish_magnet said:
Unfortunately the Lens has died - OS just spins up when attached to the body even if the body is switched off and wont settle (even with the OS turned of on the Lens)...........

Oh no.!

how old is it.

Dogfish_magnet · 15 Oct 2011

This was on of the first shots with it on Aug the 25th - so not long its probably taken less that 30 images

Female Emerald Damselfly_MG_4364 by HiddenNature, on Flickr

Trex500 · 15 Oct 2011

Thanks for posting the photo, looks very sharp.

Dogfish_magnet · 15 Oct 2011

It was -

Harvestman_MG_4461 by HiddenNature, on Flickr

Trex500 · 15 Oct 2011

Wow that is sharp, such a shame that its failed. I was wondering if to have the OS or not, as maybe be better on mono or tripod. Perhaps I should think about it more.
Many thanks for taking the time in posting up the pics for me.

AndyJC · 15 Oct 2011

if it helps i have the original 150mm from sigma and it has been a very good lens. The AF was quite slow though (compared to the 100mm F2.8 IS L from Canon). As I understand it, the OS version is exactly the same lens just with OS added.. not sure if they've corrected the AF speed though.

Dogfish_magnet · 15 Oct 2011

AndyJC said:
if it helps i have the original 150mm from sigma and it has been a very good lens. The AF was quite slow though (compared to the 100mm F2.8 IS L from Canon). As I understand it, the OS version is exactly the same lens just with OS added.. not sure if they've corrected the AF speed though.

The only thing they share is the name - the new lens is a totally new design

Trex500 · 15 Oct 2011

AndyJC said:
if it helps i have the original 150mm from sigma and it has been a very good lens. The AF was quite slow though (compared to the 100mm F2.8 IS L from Canon). As I understand it, the OS version is exactly the same lens just with OS added.. not sure if they've corrected the AF speed though.

Thank you for the heads up on that, I really want the focal length, there isnt much choice unless 180mm which is just to much I think.So if it is slow then I will just have to put up with it.

mishu · 15 Oct 2011

I have the non-OS version. It is a great lens and while I'm not doing a lot of macro work it is a perfect telephoto for me. If you use the focus limitation switch then the AF speed is OK.

Trex500 · 15 Oct 2011

That really does look just about perfect. Thank you for sharing that.