sigma 105mm f2.8 macro - DPChallenge Forums

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/25/2006 05:01:07 PM · #1

Hey everyone,
i recently got a nikon d50, which i am loving greatly. but all i have is the kit lens. i am looking into getting a macro lens, and was referred the sigma 105mm macro. I wanted to know how everyone who has used it likes it, and also i wanted to know if the front element extends a lot when focusing, i saw a pic of it and it looked like it was pretty bad, which i dont really like having for macro. So any comments on the lens would be much appreciated.
thanks to all,
ryand

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/25/2006 05:04:11 PM · #2

It's an excellent lens for the money, very, very good. I love mine.

Yes, the front element extends quite far for very close up photos. Why does that bother you?

nicoledb

Nikon D70s

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/25/2006 05:05:20 PM · #3

I have this lens, and although I didn't like it very much initially, it's growing on me. It's quite sharp, and the contrast is very nice. What takes getting used to is that the AF is a bit slow and noisy.

Message edited by author 2006-10-25 17:05:43.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/25/2006 05:08:15 PM · #4

hey thanks for the reply,
it bothered me because when shooting macro, i dont like the idea of it extending and possibly hitting stuff, kinda ocd but oh well, thx again for the post,
ryand

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

10/25/2006 05:12:48 PM · #5

I bought one, it is a super lens. It does extend a fair bit.

The only problem I had was that I like to handhold and when you get to be a G.O.M(Grumpy Old Man), you ain't too steady. It is such a fine point between in and out of focus. I was getting so many out of focus shots that I sold it on and got a Canon 28-135 IS, this was my fav lens last year.

I think using a tripod and if possible, macro flash, you will get great results, but perhaps a 1:2 Macro like the Canon or Nikon lens would be a better and more practical bet. A good 1:2 Macro zoom gives you the best of both worlds, a walkaround lens and a Macro.

Just my opinion, but I would go zoom/macro. Unless you are going to concentrate on purely Macro. The Sigma 105 does well for portraits etc, but then so do most dedicated zooms.

Steve

10/25/2006 05:16:43 PM · #6

thx steve,
the one main problem i have with the sigma is the amount of extension, do you know of any other good lenses that dont have the extreme extension,
thx again,
ryand

I Enjoy Ham

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

10/25/2006 05:18:57 PM · #7

sigma just came out with a 70mm macro... also i think nikon makes a 105 or 100mm macro, i leieve they just updated it, someone correct me if im wrong...

none of these lenses "expand" or so i beleive

edit: one thing to add... are you going to be using ths lens for specifically macros? or portraits as well, because the 105 on the d50 sensor is gonna give you an estimate of 160mm or so... thats a bit long for most portraits i.m.o.

Message edited by author 2006-10-25 17:22:26.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

10/25/2006 05:20:11 PM · #8

Perhaps a Nikon 50mm Macro, if they do one...or an 80mm ish Macro?

Don't get me wrong, the Sigma is a great lens...remember with a 105mm you don't have to be touching your subject! It focuses well away from most things. But it is a specialist lens after all.

Steve

10/25/2006 05:27:30 PM · #9

im probably gonna be usin it for an all around lens, but mainly macro, so i should think the 105mm would suffice, but i can see a lower shorter focal length for everything,
thx, ryand

Balko

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/25/2006 05:40:57 PM · #10

I used to have the Sigma 105, but did not like it that much. I just recently bought the Canon 100mm macro, which I love!

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

10/25/2006 05:45:48 PM · #11

Originally posted by papagei:

I used to have the Sigma 105, but did not like it that much. I just recently bought the Canon 100mm macro, which I love!

Out of curiousity, why did you not like it that much?

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

10/25/2006 05:46:34 PM · #12

I don't know if Sigma has updated the 105 macro with HSM, but I found mine to be very slow at focusing, even with the range limiter. It's a great macros lens, but not so good otherwise because of the poor AF.

I sold mine since I really don't do a lot of macro and the lens was so aggravating to use for anything that moves. Now, if I need to do macro, I use my 85mm f1.8 with extension tubes.

Message edited by author 2006-10-25 17:48:41.

Balko

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Voigtlander Ultron 21mm f1.8

10/25/2006 05:53:16 PM · #13

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by papagei:
I used to have the Sigma 105, but did not like it that much. I just recently bought the Canon 100mm macro, which I love!

Out of curiousity, why did you not like it that much?

MAK

Leica M Monochrom

10/25/2006 05:53:43 PM · #14

ask

Dax- she uses it perfectly

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/25/2006 05:59:11 PM · #15

it's a great lens, i use mine all the time. as far as it extending - the front element is recessed a fair bit back. and the build is tough. mines been banged around quite a bit with no damage.

the one drawback i find is the barrel slides for M/AF - and it gets inadvertantly changed - especially when removing/replacing into camera bag - no big deal accept the switch on the lens remains set as it was so - then it won't focus at all until both are set to the same setting...

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

10/25/2006 06:00:50 PM · #16

Originally posted by papagei:

I wish I could be more specific. I just found it hard to warm up to. It felt a chore to use, very unlike the Canon, which I love to pick up and fool around with. It may have something to do with the recessed front element; I don't really know, but the Canon "feels" better.

Originally posted by ursula:

Originally posted by papagei:
I used to have the Sigma 105, but did not like it that much. I just recently bought the Canon 100mm macro, which I love!

Out of curiousity, why did you not like it that much?

Ah, thank you! :)

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

10/25/2006 06:25:05 PM · #17

I also have the Sigma, and it did take some getting used to. I usually use it on MF, but that seems to be the name of the game.

I Imagine if I had more AF-points on the D50 or 70, then it would be better as I could set a point on thirds finally. IMO 9 af points should be standard on all SLR's.

Bottom line, it's half the price, and the glass quality (if not the AF) is good enough for the money.

justine

Canon EOS-50D