Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Sigma SLR Cameras

Recent Comments

1. 

   Classic Movie watcher @ 7:39 pm

   Already in my possession is the older version of Nikon 105mm micro lens, I would like to explore a macro lens of a longer focal length. This lens is reasonably priced (I got it during promotion with the price just slightly higher than the sigma 150mm macro lens) and I have seen breathtaking photos taken by this lens on the internet.

   The photo quality of the images I have taken so far is excellent; the contrast and colour very close to Nikon lens. In addition, the lens has a good balance when handheld (I don’t use a tripod and so I remove the tripod collar) with the hood. The advantage over macro lens of shorter focal length is the flexibility to work from a longer distance. Gone are the days when the butterfly, bees and moths would flee from the scenes when I tried to approach them. In addition, when I took this lens only on a trip, I can switch comfortably between taking small objects and birds from a distance. Today a black crowned egret flew past and I could take a reasonbly sharp photo of it. (Focus with HSM at a distant object is fast.)

   The disadvantages (which I can settle) are
   
   (a) its weight when compared with 105mm lens
   
   (b) the relative shallow depth of field when compared with 105mm lens and 150mm lens
   
   (c) the slightly greater challenge to ensure the entire object lies on the focal plane so that it is sharp all across
   
   (d) coating of the barrel of the lens (not as good as the Nikon lenses)
   
   However, since I can always increase the ISO by 1-2 steps and work with a smaller aperture, the resulting images can be as good as the other shorter lenes. Also, imagine taking just one lens instead of two when taking photos in the field is already a big incentive to give this lens a very serious thought.

   To summarise, both the Sigma 150mm and Sigma 180mm are very strong contenders in the macro photography. In my case, since the prices of the lens during promotion are insignificant, I have no problem taking the longer lens. But if the prices resume to normal and the difference is big, I will have a bigger problem deciding which lens I should pick. For this 180mm lens, I have taking photos of jumping spiders, tiny bees, butterflies, small flowers,… and the images are crisp, sharp, colourful and better than I’ve ever dreamed.

   
2. 

   K. Slowe @ 8:28 pm

   I’ve only had this lens for a few days, but I am happy with it so far. Could even capture two ants attached to the wing of a butterfly. Getting close, as in the 18″ minimum distance, works as described. Auto-focus does hunt a little when close to object, had to manual focus. Great lens for the money.

   
3. 

   M. L. Gregory @ 8:37 pm

   I have owned this lens now for about a month. It was bought to be used on a Nikon D700, D2x, and D200. I have already taken it on a vacation trip to Mesa Verde, Colorado and it performed flawlessly. It does hunt somewhat at close macro distances but I would prefer manual focus on extreme close ups anyway. The reviews talk about the sturdiness and tank-like quality and this is true but it is easy to handhold at normal shutter speeds.
   
   I have used it for macros, for sports photography and portraits. It hardly ever is taken off the D2x since this is the camera of choice for me. Wife has used it on the D700 and since she does photography for her profession, her opinion counts for me. She loves the lens!
   
   The supplied lens hood will mar fairly easily since I already have some small rub marks. I am not sure I like the sparkly finish on the hood and lens but it works and that is what it is supposed to do. I own two other Sigmas, one consumer type zoom lens which is the 28-105mm f2.8/4 which I hardly use and the 12-24mm EX which I use occasionally. My other lenses are all Nikon which include many primes (300mm f4 and f2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 VR, 80-200mm 2.8 and quite a lot of other ones) and this Sigma 180mm f3.5 is every bit the equal in contrast, sharpness and build as the Nikon lenses. I bought this on Amazon through 47th St. Photo at an amazingly low price. I was worried about the merchant because of previous experience but the lens was shipped immediately, arrived boxed and well packed in 2 business days.

   Highly recommended.

   
4. 

   V. Ramchandran @ 9:55 pm

   I just got the lens a few days ago and loving it so far. When I first saw it the first thing that came to mind were the other reviews calling it built like a tank because its just that. Its heavy and although I was concerned that I will only be able to use it with a tripod I still got good handheld shots with a little practice. I will still recommend a tripod.

   Very smooth and quite AF. It fast given the range of focal lengths the elements of the must travel. There is a switch with three focus limiting settings which helps. I used it for mostly for macro work which needs to be done via Manaual focus. My lens was a Nikon mount that didnt have an AF/MF switch but manual focus was smooth. The only minor hitch with my D60 was that after manual focusing something it would try to AF once in a while so I had to switch back and forth between AF and MF in my camera. Didnt have any issue most of the time. In my opinion its a small irritant considering the optical quality. The focus ring is HUGE and that helps in fine focusing which is essential for macro.

   I am not a professional and dont shoot test charts. I loved the optical quality and it wowed family and friends. A few potrait shots were great too although it was a littel too sharp and I had to use GIMP to blur it a bit.

   The working distance with 180 mm is surprisingly small. I’m glad I didnt get a lens of a smaller focal length. This is the second sigma lens I own and am not disappointed with either.

   
5. 

   Mastercard @ 11:06 pm

   I use this lens on a Canon EOS 5DMkII and I’m amazed! The lens is superfast and supercrisp, The colour reproduction is very lifelike and true. If using the focus limiter, AF (HSM) is quick and absolute silent too. Manual focus is very nice and exact, and it has a comfortable focus grip. Denis