Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro: I am considering this lens, mainly for macro use. I have a fairly good selection of lenses for everything else but don't have a true macro lens. It would...

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I am considering this lens, mainly for macro use. I have a fairly good selection of lenses for everything else but don't have a true macro lens. It would, could, be used on a Canon 7D or a 6D (APS-C or a FF camera).

I am only looking for a good macro lens so please don't waist our time recommending any thing else.

Jim D

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

The Sigma 105-mm macro is an excellent lens. I consider it comparable to my own Nikkor 105-mm lens.

A few fellow UHH use this lens as their primary for macro-photography. Drop by the True Macro-Photography Forum to meet them, and ask direct questions: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I have the Sig 150 macro and am very pleased with it. If the 105 is as good, you won't regret it.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Nikonian72 wrote:

The Sigma 105-mm macro is an excellent lens. I consider it comparable to my own Nikkor 105-mm lens.

A few fellow UHH use this lens as their primary for macro-photography. Drop by the True Macro-Photography Forum to meet them, and ask direct questions: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html

Thank you, I just posted the question there. I forgot about that section sense I do so little macro or extreme close up photos.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

tradio wrote:

I have the Sig 150 macro and am very pleased with it. If the 105 is as good, you won't regret it.

Thank you. I just posted this question in the macro section. I will see what they have to say.

Jim D

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I bought this lens to shoot my boys Karate and do some macros about 6 years ago and it will give you beautiful images, But you have get used to the focus ring having to be slide forward or back for the autofocus.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

This is one of my most popular rental lenses, I have it in Nikon, Canon and Pentax mounts. Excellent macro lens. I also have the Nikon 105mm F2.8G and consider the Sigma comparable.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

oldtool2 wrote:

I am considering this lens, mainly for macro use. I have a fairly good selection of lenses for everything else but don't have a true macro lens. It would, could, be used on a Canon 7D or a 6D (APS-C or a FF camera).

I am only looking for a good macro lens so please don't waist our time recommending any thing else.

Jim D

In a recently published UK magazine, "The Ultimate Nikon SLR Handbook", the Sigma 105 bettered the Nikon 105 macro lens. It was the macro lens of choice. As noted in the comparison of 8 macro lenses for Nikon, the Sigma had the best image quality of the 8 various tested lenses.

sportyman140 Loc: Juliette, GA

oldtool2 wrote:

I am considering this lens, mainly for macro use. I have a fairly good selection of lenses for everything else but don't have a true macro lens. It would, could, be used on a Canon 7D or a 6D (APS-C or a FF camera).

I am only looking for a good macro lens so please don't waist our time recommending any thing else.

Jim D

Hi Jim,
I have the Canon 6D and I also have the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8. I really like using the 105 for some portrait work too along with the Macro work. The price for this lens is fantastic compared to Canons 100mm

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

sportyman140 wrote:

Hi Jim,
I have the Canon 6D and I also have the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, and the Sigma 105mm f/2.8. I really like using the 105 for some portrait work too along with the Macro work. The price for this lens is fantastic compared to Canons 100mm

It looks like the Sigma 105mm lens is going to be a winner! I also have a Canon 70-200mm f2.8L with IS and a Sigma 105-300 f2.8 lens. For portraits I normally use the Canon. I am looking at this lens mainly for macro & extreme close-up work but it seems it is very good for other types of work as well.

As for price, I can get this lens for $769.00 right now. The Canon 100mm with IS is $899.00, $130.00 more. The Canon 100mm with-out IS is $449.00, $320.00 less.

Now my question is,
Do I need the IS (OS)? If not I can save quite a bit with the Canon 100mm f2.8L with-out IS, ($320.00)

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Festus wrote:

In a recently published UK magazine, "The Ultimate Nikon SLR Handbook", the Sigma 105 bettered the Nikon 105 macro lens. It was the macro lens of choice. As noted in the comparison of 8 macro lenses for Nikon, the Sigma had the best image quality of the 8 various tested lenses.

I shoot Canon, not Nikon. Normally Canon and Nikon lenses are fairly comparable though so if I look at it that way the Sigma would come out on top. Did they do a comparison with Canon lenses?

Jim D

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

oldtool2 wrote:

Now my question is Do I need the IS (OS)? If not I can save quite a bit with the Canon 100mm f2.8L with-out IS, ($320.00)

For a few years, I used a Nikkor 105D (A-F but no VR) before upgrading to the Nikkor 105G (A-F + VR). My capture rate improved dramatically. Vibration Reduction = Image Stabilization = Optic Stabilization

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Nikonian72 wrote:

For a few years, I used a Nikkor 105D (A-F but no VR) before upgrading to the Nikkor 105G (A-F + VR). My capture rate improved dramatically. Vibration Reduction = Image Stabilization = Optic Stabilization

Nikonian72,

Thank you for responding so quickly. I have seen some of your macro work and it is impressive. Do you normally use the Nikkor 105G lens for your work?

From what I have read it looks like the IS (OS) is going to be the way to go. If that is the case then the Sigma lens is going to be a winner, being $130.00 less expensive.

Jim D

NOTE: I understand that VR, IS & OS are all stabilization, just different manufactures. There are slight differences in them of course, but from what I have read not much.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

oldtool2 wrote:

Do you normally use the Nikkor 105G lens for your work?

My 105G is now welded to my D5200. When I want more than 1:1 mag, I attach a Raynox DCR-150 'add-on' lens. Now my 'focusing range' is about 1/2x life-size to nearly 2x life-size.

Raynox DCR-150 'add-on' lens

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Judging from what everyone suggests I just placed my order for the Sigma. Now all I have to do is wait for the big brown truck!

Thank everyone for your time!

Jim D