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| 5.4 inches | | Product Width:
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| 1.98 pounds | | Package Length:
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| 3.3 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 40 reviews |
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Average Customer Review:
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Incredible and versatile lensJun 07, 2010
I purchased the Sigma 150mm Macro lens after reading some stellar reviews on various websites (check out the MTF chart on [..]). After testing the lens myself for a couple of days, I will have to agree with the current consensus; this lens is incredible.
For use as a general long-telephoto prime, you couldn't ask for more. Lens is sharp and clear from corner to corner. Autofocus is fast and accurate. Colors with this lens seem natural. I am shooting with a 12.3 MP camera (Nikon D5000#, and detail in the images is preserved until the point at which individual pixels are evident. This would be the perfect lens for those shooting with higher resolution sensors #15-24MP#, as the lens can certainly take advantage of the higher pixel count.
Macro function on this lens is likewise incredible. You get a comfortable working distance with this lens #about 10" for minimum focus), so definately a good lens for bug hunting. Autofocus is a little iffy up close, but as others have said; You'll want to use manual focus for macro shots. This is especially true for this lens due to its extremely shallow depth of field (not a defect, just an unavoidable physical property of a long macro lens-- Telephoto= shallow DOF, Macro = Shallow DOF, Telephoto+Macro= really shallow DOF), even at smaller apertures. You will probably want to stop the camera down to about f/11 to f/22 for most macro shots in order to get most things in focus. For this reason, a tripod is pretty essential. A macro lens with a shorter focal length (such as the similarly well-reviewed Sigma 70mm macro- my next purchase)will have larger depth, but you sacrifice the longer working distance. Nothing's perfect.
Fortunately, this is one of the few lenses that retains critical sharpness at smaller apertures, and works equally well wide open at f/2.8. Anyone who's taken the time to research this knows that it is a RARE lens that performs well across all available apertures. Even some of the best lenses out there rated at f/2.8 need to be stopped down to about 5.6 before focus is sharp and even across the field (the Sigma 150mm Macro is sharpest at f/8, but still outperforms most lenses at all apertures). With the Sigma 150mm Macro, f/2.8 is still unbelievably sharp, so you can shoot wide open without concern for loss of image quality. (*** note: the lens no longer has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 during close focus, but due to the depth-of-field issue I mentioned above, you really don't want it. This is a common characteristic of most macro lenses)
Also of note: There is practically no distortion at all with this lens. The image remains flat throughout all apertures. As mentioned on Sigma's website, this lens is ideal for reproduction of documents or artwork. Chromatic aberration is minimal as well.
There's no such thing as a perfect lens, but this one comes pretty close. Recommended without reservation or qualification.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A pleased userMay 09, 2010
I struggled with the decision to purchase a quality macro lens and tended to favour Nikon glass but not Nikon price. I felt forced to spend a considerable amount of time on the net researching a number of alternate choices when I happened upon the Sigma 150mm. The only critique I could find was that the black paint coating around the lens itself tended to wear off after extensive use. Price between the Sigma and Nikon lenses further narrowed my decision making to the point I made the plunge through Amazon.
I have had it for one month and can state that I have absolutely no regrets. During a number of photoshoots with fellow members of a local camera club I know of two additional purchasers based on the performance of my Sigma. The quality of image is outstanding and I would guess equals anything that comparable Nikon glass might produce. In fairness, field tests have not been conducted to verify that statement. However, the emphasis is placed on user satisfaction giving the product top marks. In fact, I have now acquired a Sigma 2X telextender to compliment the 150mm and am now enjoying it even further. Anyone contemplating a similar purchase of either product will not be disappointed.
 Sigma 150mm f/2.8 MACRO LENSMay 09, 2010
At first I was somewhat disappointed for I did not receive the exact lens. The lens I received did not have the MF/AF switch. This can be changed through the dslr, this works for me. It has allowed me to take some terrific macro pictures. I have posted a few pictures to illustrate.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
5-star customer service to go along with 5-star opticsApr 16, 2010
I ordered this lens through Amazon, having evaluated their customer reviews, plus several reviews from other online sources. After making a wide variety of shots with this lens on my D200 I was very pleased, particularly since my results were consistent with what most of the customer reviews had noted. I felt no inclination to write a 5-star review that really added nothing new to what's already been said.
One thing, specific to my situation, did come up, however, and I wanted clarification from Sigma. Sigma's website had both telephone and email alternatives for contacting them. I chose email since the question I had wasn't keeping me from getting the results I wanted and since it appeared pretty straight-forward. They got right back to me with a very comprehensive and understandable response. The reply included the responder's direct phone number (here in the U.S.).
I feel this is extraordinary, especially in this age of arms-length, often outsourced, customer relations. Now, I'm sure the information I sought was available here in Sigma's U.S. operation since it didn't involve new equipment or any such thing that would require someone contacting Sigma-Japan for the answer. One reviewer, whose situation was apparently more complex than mine, did not experience the high level of satisfaction that I did. Hopefully, some reasonable resolution was achieved.
But clearly in my case, the timeliness of the response, the quality of it and the expressed willingness to assist further if needed have impressed me to no end.
Fantastic macro performance with great working distance.Oct 16, 2009
What a fantastic lens.
The shots are in crisp detail. Internal IF makes it a very easy lens to play with. It has a nice weight to it but not too heavy. Superb working distance. And best of all, very bright f2.8!
For the price it was worth every penny. There might be better macro lenses, but this is the best one for Fourthirds shooters. You won't find a better macro carry lens than this one.
If you like taking nature or macro shots, this is a must-have lens in your photographic arsenal.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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