What extension tube & TC for a Sigma 150mm?

[markmce]

What extension tube and TC should I go for, will they effect image quality, does the make and model make a difference ? I want to reach 3.1 on my macro work.

 

[Nod]

Extension tubes are basically just tubes with electrical connections so as long as the mounts are sturdy and the electrics reliable, you can't go far wrong. TCs are a bit more complicated and as a rule, you're best pairing manufacturers' lenses with their telecons as well as being aware of fitment and f stop reduction issues.

 

[Cagey75]

Canon TCs work well enough with it apparently:

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/667-sigma150f28oseos?start=2

I've been looking at this lens. Selling on my 105mm Nikon, looking for a longer macro. I was looking to the Nikon 200mm f/4 then came across Sigma offerings at 150 & 180mm. How do you find this 150mm lens in general?

 

[markmce]

Hi Cagey, the 150mm is a great lens for macro and portraits, crystal clear and sharp, I have not tried other canon macro's to compare but I did my research and the sigma came up par or close to par with many top brand macro's. looking back I think I should have bought the OS version to avoid the 95% use of the tripod but then you are looking at the extra expense. The canon 100mm price also seems to be dropping at the moment (not the L lens) the L lens will take the top award if you can afford it.

It was between the canon 100mm or sigma 150mm which gives you that little extra distance, I picked mine up on eBay for £300 where the canon was still around £400 plus (second hand)

 

[Nod]

Mark, you're far better off using a tripod for Macro than relying on VR/OS/IS etc. the magnification Macro gives puts all but the tiniest of movements beyond OS's capabilities and cannot deal with any fore and aft movement of the camera. It may be worth having a stabilised Macro lens if you also use it as a prime as well as a Macro though.

 

[markmce]

Thanks Nod & cagey for your correspondence, Cagey the links was very useful, cheers.

 

[AndyB1976]

Also, with the ext tubes alone the DoF is paper thin and camera shake is very pronounced. You will very likely need a good macro flash or bracket, cord and flashgun contraption once you begin to close the aperture down to increase your DoF.

I've got the Canon IS macro which shows its strength more at closer work (less than 1:1) over true macro and above (2:1, 3:1 etc).