Does anyone have this lens? Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens: I was wondering if anybody here has or has had this lens. If so what are your thoughts on it? Good, bad, so-so or...

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I was wondering if anybody here has or has had this lens.
If so what are your thoughts on it? Good, bad, so-so or what.
One of the 3 major photography sellers has it on sale for a really good price.
Some of the reviews of this lens by buyers say that it sometimes hunts and is slow focusing.
But they also say it has good clarity and color rendition, even on distant subjects.
thanks in advance for your input on this lens.

will

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I had it, liked it in general but prefer a longer focal length for my approach to macro.
Can't say about the autofocus since I manual focus all my macros.
The lens has a good reputation from what I have read.
Generally speaking, it is hard to go wrong with any of the modern 90-105mm f2.8 macros.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

rwilson1942 wrote:

I had it, liked it in general but prefer a longer focal length for my approach to macro.
Can't say about the autofocus since I manual focus all my macros.
The lens has a good reputation from what I have read.
Generally speaking, it is hard to go wrong with any of the modern 90-105mm f2.8 macros.

Thanks Rick. Appreciate you taking the time to give your thoughts on this lens.

will

oldjoe

i have the older version which i like very much but my hands are a bit shaky now for macro but will definitely keep and use it as a general lens, not heard of any problems with any version of this lens, some i know sold it, mostly due to lack of use, regretted it and bought again for macro i have the old Tamron Adaptall 90mm which i can use with the focus trap mode the camera has

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

oldjoe wrote:

i have the older version which i like very much but my hands are a bit shaky now for macro but will definitely keep and use it as a general lens, not heard of any problems with any version of this lens, some i know sold it, mostly due to lack of use, regretted it and bought again for macro i have the old Tamron Adaptall 90mm which i can use with the focus trap mode the camera has

Thanks Oldjoe for your input.

will

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Soul Dr. wrote:

I was wondering if anybody here has or has had this lens.
If so what are your thoughts on it? Good, bad, so-so or what.
One of the 3 major photography sellers has it on sale for a really good price.
Some of the reviews of this lens by buyers say that it sometimes hunts and is slow focusing.
But they also say it has good clarity and color rendition, even on distant subjects.
thanks in advance for your input on this lens.

will

I had that lens about 20 years ago and that was the only decent Sigma lens I had!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

speters wrote:

I had that lens about 20 years ago and that was the only decent Sigma lens I had!

Not this one. It was released in 2011.....

https://www.dxomark.com/sigma-105mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-review-a-serious-100mm-macro-competitor/

pol2015 Loc: Belfast

Yes I've had this lens for a year and would highly recommend it. V sharp and smooth to focus. I also use it as my go-to portrait lens. If it's the same as mine then you just have to ensure the AP ring is on 32. I use it on my Nikon 7100 - hence it won't 'see' the lens if the AP ring is set to anything else but there's a little lock switch on the AP barrel. I think the focus direction is reversed compared to the Nikon lenses. I don't notice that anymore, though (thanks to muscle memory!). To switch to manual focus you pull the focus ring toward the camera. The focus ring isn't as smooth as the Nikkor lenses but good enough. The glass is so recessed that a lens cap/hood isn't necessary but it's a screw-on type (58mm). It's Macro performance is exceptional in my opinion.

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Yes, it is a very nice lens and several can be found ( new and used) on Amazon. I almost always shoot manual when doing macro, it's just easier. 105mm is a good portrait lens as well.
IMO when I buy used from Amazon I always buy "fulfilled by Amazon". It offers reassurance against any hassles.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Soul Dr. wrote:

I was wondering if anybody here has or has had this lens.
If so what are your thoughts on it? Good, bad, so-so or what.
One of the 3 major photography sellers has it on sale for a really good price.
Some of the reviews of this lens by buyers say that it sometimes hunts and is slow focusing.
But they also say it has good clarity and color rendition, even on distant subjects.
thanks in advance for your input on this lens.

will

I don't have that lens but I have one of its big brothers, the hunting part would not concern me, all macro lenses hunt for focus because of their close focus ability. Most experienced macro shooters shot manual focus when shooting macro anyway. As far is using the lens for general photography macro lenses tend to be slower focusing than other lenses, but to aid you in that effort they also have focus limiting switches for close and distant focus to alieviate excessive focus hunting. If you are looking for a macro lens and you feel that it is a really good price go ahead and make your purchase, all macro lenses perform very well and are all sharp, I kept my Sigma 150mm over both a Canon 100mm USM and a Canon 180 3.5L USM, there is nothing wrong quality wise with the Sigma Macro offerings.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Not this one. It was released in 2011.....

https://www.dxomark.com/sigma-105mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-review-a-serious-100mm-macro-competitor/

Yep it was the one without optical stabilization, but the optical formula was not changed, it stayed the same!

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

speters wrote:

Yep it was the one without optical stabilization, but the optical formula was not changed, it stayed the same!

FWIW, there’s a huge price reduction on this lens right now. If I was in the market for a macro lens, I’d be all over this.

dreklaw Loc: Tucson

I have it and love it. Had it for about 2-3 years. Made some nice photos. Use it for macro and portraits. Go for it! Hereâs a sample shot.

F2.8 Sigma 105 mm.
F2.8 Sigma 105 mm....

(Download)

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Thanks everyone for your replys and insights about this lens.

will

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

If you are looking at the one from 42nd St Photo, Turn and RUN, as fast as you can!!