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. Since I own Canon cameras, any Canon lens recommendations would be welcome also.

Jim D

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I bought this lens back in 2008 and took a couple macros with it in 2008 with a canon 40d and have not been doing any macros lately.
I used this lens over the past couple years to take photographs of my son wrestling.
I use this lens now for ring shots at weddings.

Here are some macros I took in 2008 with a Canon 40d

Sigma 105mm @ 2.8 ISO400

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Here's a site I use to evaluate the technical side of lenses:

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1424/cat/30

I know there are a few contributors on here who use the 180 macro by Sigma. You might look at that one too. A little more working distance at 1:1 over the 105. I use a Nikkor 105-- so no direct experience with this specific lense.

twillsol Loc: St. Louis, MO

I have the Sigma 150 f/2.8 Macro lens....Awesome lens.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

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)

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Thank you for your reply, and for posting the photos. Very nice work! Please see my posting above this one.
Jim D

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I don't use mine (VR for Nikon). The reason is that I'm almost alway either on a tripod- when I turn it off, or when shooting hand-held with diffused flash (no need/advantage). Maybe someone else has a need-- but I don't. Of course if you use it for portraiture, you might use this--- but of course you have this covered with your other lenses.

pwd2004ringo Loc: Corona CA

Hi Jim
I just bought a canon 6D and the Sigma 105mm F2.8. Very happy with the sharpness of the lens. I buy all my lenses with IS(OS) just because I am obsessed with sharpness. So anything that will help accomplish that I get it. If you are going to be using a tripod with this lens then you wouldn't need the IS(OS) cause you would be turning it off. But if you have camera shake like me, I would probable get the lens with it. I usually buy canon lenses, but this lens has good reviews and is quite a bit cheaper.

jrb1213 Loc: McDonough GEorgia

I have the canon 100mm f2.8L IS. The auto focus does not work closer than about 14 inches. But then IS does work at macro distances about 4 to 5 inches. When looking at the ratings of all canon lenses this lens comes in first. But how many people who spend $1000 say they made a big mistake. That said I love my 100. It is great for macro, portraits and sports. The sports that it works for are sports where you are 30-60 feet frpm the sports. The autofocus is lightning quick and images are razor sharp. I have used it in basketball, baseball, wrestling and tennis. But mostly it is a great macro. I have seen images by owners of other brands of macro lenses that are better than mine. They are better photographers than me. So you chose.

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

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

One more thing, as a side note. I spoke with an Adorama representative about these lenses. She switched me to one of their Canon experts who, naturally preferred the Canon 100m f2.8L lens.

She showed me a couple of links trying to convince me to buy it over the Sigma. So I sent her a couple of links where these lenses were compared. After about ten minutes of us both reading the links she came back to me and agreed, that sense IQ was the most important thing to me, that the Sigma was the better lens for me and recommended it over the Canon lens.

The one advantage that the Canon had over the Sigma is it is better weather sealed. She ended up sending me to a link comparing these two lenses and the Sigma won. The Sigma was comparable or better in everything else, including build quality, and it is less expensive. She wanted to know if I wanted to speak to one of their Sigma experts and I told her there was no need sense we both agreed that the Sigma 105mm was the way to go. Here are a few sites she sent me to for reading. After she was done reading these and the sites I sent her to she agreed that the Sigma was the better lens.
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/747-sigma105f28oseosapsc
http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=5457&review=sigma+105mm+macro+lens+f2.8+fantastic+image+quality
http://petapixel.com/2013/04/25/rechip-old-sigma-lens-so-that-it-plays-nicely-with-your-new-canon-dslr/

And the last one, a review using a FF camera:
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/743-sigma105f28oseosff
Jim D

lovitlots Loc: Tottenham, Ontario, Canada

I have the tamron 90 but I'm eyeing a tamron 180 or one of the sigmas 150 or 180. My question with the 180's is, is the extra half stop on the sigma worth another grand to me. The only reason I'm looking at the longer lenses is for the extra working distance. I find with the 90 that the little critters get spooked and take off. If you're looking for a macro then check out the longer ones. The extra working distance will be appreciated I'm sure.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

You got Moxey! But then again, you are a Jersey boy.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Originally from Pittsburgh, and proud of it. I have been in SJ for the last 20 + years though.
Was just looking for the better lens. I asked the rep I first got to transfer me to a Sigma expert and she gave me a Canon expert instead. It worked out well though. I learned a little bit more about the Sigma lens, lenses, and so did she.
It seams the Canon 100mm L is better weather sealed but the Sigma 105mm is better is equal or better on very thing else. I won't be using it much in bad weather outside so that doesn't concern me.
Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Big Brown will be here early Monday with my Sigma. I can't wait, really looking forward to getting it.
Jim D