Sigma 24-80mm Macro: OK so I see this thing on ebay. Cheap, lightweight with macro. But ebay won't let me contact the seller as I have a few questions. Well one really. He says it has...

graybeard

OK so I see this thing on ebay. Cheap, lightweight with macro. But ebay won't let me contact the seller as I have a few questions. Well one really. He says it has a Canon mount, but is it an EF mount or something older? Also, what are your opinions on this lens, that is, if you have ever used one. I know its cheap and plastic. To some of you, that automatically eliminates it from consideration. But those are big selling points to me. I once dropped my Canon 55-250 lens from about 5 feet to concrete parking lot surface. Not a scratch on it. But I diverse, tell me about this lens.... thanks.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Well, for one, it isn't really a "macro" lens. It may focus closer, not down to life size & it's not a "flat field" lens like a true macro lens is. You can do better... I'm assuming the mount is an EF if the seller says it's for a Canon since it is a lens from the film era...... Here is a link to some reviews of it.
http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/lenses/35mm-zoom/sigma/28-80mm-f-3-5-5-6-asph-mini-zoom-macro/prd_83596_3128crx.aspx

graybeard wrote:

OK so I see this thing on ebay. Cheap, lightweight... (show quote)

graybeard

Screamin Scott wrote:

Well, for one, it isn't really a "macro" lens. It may focus closer, not down to life size & it's not a "flat field" lens like a true macro lens is. You can do better... I'm assuming the mount is an EF if the seller says it's for a Canon since it is a lens from the film era...... Here is a link to some reviews of it.
http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/lenses/35mm-zoom/sigma/28-80mm-f-3-5-5-6-asph-mini-zoom-macro/prd_83596_3128crx.aspx

Thanks for your reply. I can't assume anything about it, because at this price level it doesn't make sense to return it to the seller, even if he let you. I KNOW I can do better. My gosh, these things are selling at the $15-40 level. But it seems to be a good value. I will never be walking around with $2K lenses unless I win the Lotto, and maybe not even then. The review you sent is helpful, but didn't nail down the mount. Obviously this lens dates back to film days. Back then I was a Pentax user so don't know much about Canon history prior to digital.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I cannot understand why eBay will not let you contact the seller when you have a legitimate question?
If the lens is not 1:1 focusing, it is not a macro lens. I do not understand why manufacturers mislead
in this way?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

graybeard wrote:

OK so I see this thing on ebay. Cheap, lightweight... (show quote)

If "Contact seller" does not work, forget about this deal. ebay does not allow any contact outside of ebay. They keep all exchanges/conversations between buyer and seller as a protection for both parties. If you speak privately, ebay has no evidence of that.

graybeard

Leicaflex wrote:

I cannot understand why eBay will not let you contact the seller when you have a legitimate question?
If the lens is not 1:1 focusing, it is not a macro lens. I do not understand why manufacturers mislead
in this way?

on most ebay listings they do have a contact seller line. But not on this one. As for Macro/Close Focus it is semantical to me.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

graybeard wrote:

on most ebay listings they do have a contact seller line. But not on this one. As for Macro/Close Focus it is semantical to me.

A close focus zoom does not focus to life size (1:1) nor is it flat field ( sharp focus to the edges of the frame). And as such is a misnomer. Manufacturers label them as such in order to boost sales. If anything, they should just be labeled as “ Close Focusing”. I have several older manual focus primes that are labeled that way. For some people it may not matter much but to a person whose niche is macro, it means a lot.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Screamin Scott wrote:

A close focus zoom does not focus to life size (1:1) nor is it flat field ( sharp focus to the edges of the frame). And as such is a misnomer. Manufacturers label them as such in order to boost sales. If anything, they should just be labeled as “ Close Focusing”. I have several older manual focus primes that are labeled that way. For some people it may not matter much but to a person whose niche is macro, it means a lot.

It’s not “semantically” to me. A Macro lens has long been defined as flatfield focusing to 1:1. Using terminology correctly, helps us understand important distinctions.

Some photographic terms may not be technically correct—but we accept their use because it’s useful in communicating. (An example is “shutter speed”. Technically, we are talking about shutter duration)

Some of the newer people to UHH may not know this, but in the early days of UHH, the managers of the Closeup section determined that the side of a barn could be a closeup if you were near to it. Of course, that’s ludicrous, but it’s an example of arbitrarily redefining established terminology.

graybeard

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

It’s not “semantically” to me. A Macro lens has l... (show quote)

Thank you Mother for your hair splitting. Are you by chance an English teacher? They can always be relied upon to ignore the spirit and enforce the letter.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

It’s not “semantically” to me. A Macro lens has l... (show quote)

There is a difference of opinion as to what the “macro” range is. The Nikon Compendium, page 150, says it is usually regarded as the ratios 1:10 to 1:1, so Sigma may have labeled the 24-80 accurately. The true macro section has a different definition. And the close-up section says a close-up photograph is when the main subject covers at least 75% of the frame. Close-ups of the planet are made from space every day. Personally, for anything 1:10 or closer I prefer to give the ratio and let those to whom it matters fret over what to call it.

graybeard

Folks, not to be a bore, but I did ask for any helpful remarks from those of you who have used this lens. I didn't want or intend it to degenerate into arguments about what is or is not macro. Thank you.

cochese

jerryc41 wrote:

If "Contact seller" does not work, forget about this deal. ebay does not allow any contact outside of ebay. They keep all exchanges/conversations between buyer and seller as a protection for both parties. If you speak privately, ebay has no evidence of that.

I agree, I do much business on ebay and not being able to contact a seller is a giant red flag. No matter "the deal" move on and keep looking.

graybeard

cochese wrote:

I agree, I do much business on ebay and not being able to contact a seller is a giant red flag. No matter "the deal" move on and keep looking.

That was a mistake on my part. Most ebay listings have a "ask seller a question" at the bottom. This one did not. But when you highlighted the seller name, a contact button was there. By the time I contacted him and got a reply, the lens had been sold. For $31 ! So I watched for a few more days..... another one popped up. I bought it for $20...... and will soon find out for myself whether I like it or not. Still got no replies from people who have used it.... no doubt after I get it and decide for myself I will have a plethora of users giving me their opinions !!

graybeard

graybeard wrote:

Folks, not to be a bore, but I did ask for any helpful remarks from those of you who have used this lens. I didn't want or intend it to degenerate into arguments about what is or is not macro. Thank you.

Twenty bucks. That is what I paid for my new/used Sigma 28-80mm Macro lens. I was afraid of risking my money on a dud so I solicited UHH for advice from users of same. What I got were replies from semantic hair splitters and advice about Ebay. Not a single direct answer to a direct question. So what the hell, I stuck my twenty into the cyber world cash slot and got my lens, free shipping, about 5 days later. And I tested it. Autofocus, Macro feature, 28-80 zoom fine. No fungus or bugs crawling around inside. So I thank the seller for being a straight shooter, and hope to have better luck next time I post on UHH.