Issue with Sigma 180mm f2.8 macro focus
Jun 5, 2014 09:19:17 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
A sensor converts light to electrical impulses. A photographic lens has no sensor. A lens focuses light to the sensor located within the camera body.
Perhaps I meant "servo" instead of sensor.
My bad!
Jun 11, 2014 08:20:21 #
UPDATE: Sigma repair facility called me, they found a faulty motor in the lens and they are going to replace it retest the lens on Nikon cameras and adjust the lens if necessary. I will update everyone when I get the lens back and test it out.
Jun 11, 2014 14:12:59 #
Brucej67 wrote:
Excellent! Your fellow macro-photographers would like to see your captures with the 180mm macro, and read your evaluation of this lens. there are only one or two owners of a Sigma 180 macro lens, on UHH. Your opinion is valuable. Please drop by the True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.htmlSigma repair facility . . . found a faulty motor in the lens and they are going to replace it
Jun 11, 2014 15:29:08 #
One of the shots that did come out of this lens before I sent in.
Nikonian72 wrote:
Excellent! Your fellow macro-photographers would like to see your captures with the 180mm macro, and read your evaluation of this lens. there are only one or two owners of a Sigma 180 macro lens, on UHH. Your opinion is valuable. Please drop by the True Macro-Photography Forum at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-102-1.html
Jun 11, 2014 15:50:33 #
Brucej67 wrote:
I purchased the Sigma 180mm f2.8 macro for my Nikon D7100 and D610. When I put the lens on the camera and adjust it for back focus issue it will focus, but not lock on focus as does the Nikon 105mm or the Tamron 180mm. The Sigma 180mm has OS and I am hand holding it as with the other lenses, however unlike the other lenses the Sigma will not lock on focus so the slightest of movements throws the focus off. Has anyone else experienced the problem with this lens?
The 180 is a long lens for macro and your depth of focus may be very small.
The problem may not be the lens not holding focus, it may be simply that the lens is moving relative to the object more than can be expected for a lock on (even with OS). The problem may be in the holder, not the lens. Consider your technique before blaming the equipment. Lenses do fail, but probably not nearly as often as the operator.
Jun 11, 2014 17:45:49 #
Brucej67 wrote:
Capture looks quite decent. One guideline worth remembering: for hand-held macro-photography, shutter duration should always be shorter than lens focal length. That means for a 180-mm macro lens, 1/200-sec should be the shortest shutter duration. Tripod or stabilized photography can be longer.One of the shots that did come out of this lens before I sent in.
Exif info:
Camera Model: NIKON D600
Image Date: 2014-06-03
Focal Length: 180mm
Aperture: f/16.0
Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160-sec)
ISO equiv: 3200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Flash Fired: No
Jun 24, 2014 22:08:47 #
Update: Sigma repaired the lens that had a faulty focusing motor. Below are some shots taken with this lens.
Jun 24, 2014 22:18:55 #
Brucej67 wrote:
Image #1 has the best focal plane, but it is a bit back-focused, and too narrow to carry the eyes.Below are some shots taken with this lens.
Exif info:
Camera Model: NIKON D800 (full frame sensor)
Image Date: 2014-06-24
Focal Length: 180mm
Digital Zoom: 1.530x
Aperture: f/11.0
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60-sec)
ISO equiv: 100
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Manual
Flash Fired: Yes
You are confusing your camera. If you are going to hand-hold an 180-mm lens, you must use a shutter duration shorter than lens focal length. Image #2 & image #3 are both 1/100-sec, and show much more camera movement than image #1. By choosing Aperture Priority mode, you let the camera select the shutter duration. You should be using Manual mode, ISO 200, shutter duration 1/200-sec at f/16, then adjust speedlight output for proper subject exposure.
I also do not understand the choice of 'Digital Zoom: 1.530x'. I believe that your 180-mm lens is FX, not DX.
What speedlight are you using? Manual mode or ETTL?
Jun 24, 2014 22:28:46 #
Did I mention that I used strobe lights on them.
Nikonian72 wrote:
Image #1 has the best focal plane, but it is a bit... (show quote)
Jun 24, 2014 22:34:10 #
Clarification, I hand held the camera, had it set to command mode for a remote SB-700 because I shake a lot and with a strobe it doesn't matter what the shutter speed is with advanced sync.
Nikonian72 wrote:
Image #1 has the best focal plane, but it is a bit... (show quote)
Jun 24, 2014 22:39:19 #
What do you not understand about "more pending"? There is so much going on with your settings, I needed a little time to get it all posted. I address one problem at a time. Please allow me to complete my post before you start your defense. I am not here to argue. If you want to learn, fine. If you want to debate, I am outa here.
Jun 24, 2014 22:42:38 #
Ok, no problem. I do feel any problem would be related to me and not the lens now.
Nikonian72 wrote:
What do you not understand about "more pending"? There is so much going on with your settings, I needed a little time to get it all posted. I address one problem at a time. Please allow me to complete my post.
Jun 24, 2014 22:51:48 #
I have completed my first new post above. Notice that my shutter duration recommendations are exactly the same as posted on June 11, top 1/3 this page.
Jun 24, 2014 22:57:32 #
ETTL channel 1 group A remote. The camera was in FX mode not DX.
Nikonian72 wrote:
Image #1 has the best focal plane, but it is a bit... (show quote)
Jun 24, 2014 23:08:58 #
Brucej67 wrote:
If you want to control your exposure for macro-photography, ditch all that 'auto' & ETTL stuff. I use an SB-600 in Manual mode for ALL of my macro-photography.ETTL channel 1 group A remote. The camera was in FX mode not DX.
View my macro-photography here. I post all Exif info with each photo. http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user_topics_listing.jsp?usernum=1323&page=1
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