Sigma 180mm F3.5 EX APO Macro IF HSM AutoFocus

h4rri · 20-12-2006, 12:21 PM

I'm looking for a new Macro lense and am considering the 100mm Canon offering as well as the 180mm. I also noticed the Sigma 180mm and was wondering if anyone had used this? I need to know if it would be useable as a portrait lense as well as a macro and take the MT-24 EX series flash. I know the 100mm Canon offering would be ideal as it would do both. The cost of the Sigma caught my eye though

Thoughts anyone?

h4rri · 21-12-2006, 8:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4rri

I'm looking for a new Macro lense and am considering the 100mm Canon offering as well as the 180mm. I also noticed the Sigma 180mm and was wondering if anyone had used this? I need to know if it would be useable as a portrait lense as well as a macro and take the MT-24 EX series flash. I know the 100mm Canon offering would be ideal as it would do both. The cost of the Sigma caught my eye though

Thoughts anyone?

Where's the tumbleweed smiley

Went for the 100mm Canon in the end £346 including hood delivered so not too bad

Valleyman · 21-12-2006, 9:38 AM

90mm f2.8 Tamron is probably the best macro out there for anywhere near it's price. It can be had for £210. It's image quality is similar to that of the £550 105mm f2.8 VR Nikon, though obviously without the image stabilisation. Many say the Bokeh is better than the Nikon.

Shame u already purchased.

h4rri · 21-12-2006, 9:49 AM

Read the reviews on a few and needed a quick purchase so it could be used as a portrait lense this Christmas. Also need it to be able to take the MT-24EX and there's no details on none Canon fitment for them

**Zone** · 21-12-2006, 7:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4rri

Where's the tumbleweed smiley

There you go mate

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4rri

Went for the 100mm Canon in the end £346 including hood delivered so not too bad

I wish I was getting that from Santa, I think you'll enjoy it mate, make sure you post some shots

h4rri · 02-01-2007, 1:28 PM

Ok some images as promised

All are 15% of original size unless stated.

Mmm sweeties, loved the colours on this one:

My new Benro:

Fantastic controls and a pleasure to use:

A closer crop of the collar shot below:

The original collar shot, the wingnut design is amazing:

Crop of the foot shot below:

Da foot, again a pleasure to use, single hand operation is easy:

Crop of a nut holding the legs on:

Crop of the collar and CF centre column:

Chunder · 02-01-2007, 4:44 PM

Jumping back to your first post in this thread, I reckon that the 180mm would be too long for portraits, even on the 5D.

h4rri · 02-01-2007, 4:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunder

Jumping back to your first post in this thread, I reckon that the 180mm would be too long for portraits, even on the 5D.

Definately mate, having used the 100 I find that a little long for 'around the house' type portraits so with the 180 I would have been stood in the front garden

PaulBoy · 02-01-2007, 5:19 PM

h4rri - those shots look crackalackin' - that macro lens is the dogs pajamas
Paul

PS - BTW did you know the place we got our Benro stuff from (mini-mega) has been pulled off 3Bay (?) 3Bay emailed me but due to privacy rules they can't / won't tell me why (?)

Radiohead · 02-01-2007, 6:41 PM

I'd have also gone for the Canon 100mm as you did. The Tamron is a fine lens, but the Canon offers much faster AF for portrait and candid work and is an IF design. Great choice.

I sold one rather dimly last year and may well buy again.

h4rri · 02-01-2007, 9:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulBoy

PS - BTW did you know the place we got our Benro stuff from (mini-mega) has been pulled off 3Bay (?) 3Bay emailed me but due to privacy rules they can't / won't tell me why (?)

WOW no hadn't noticed .... Hmmm wonder why LOL