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Sigma 105 macro
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Jul 8, 2018 15:19:32   #
Rayjenks
 
Does anyone have one and do you like it. She wants it for shooting bugs and flowers on Nikon full frame . It is 400 off and not sure why they are taking so much on one lens Also has anyone used the old manual focus 105 Nikon with extensions tubes or filters for macro

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Jul 8, 2018 15:23:01   #
travisdeland Loc: deland, FL
 
I have one(Canon mount) and love it. I thought it would be one of those lenses I used every now and then, and find I use it way more than I ever thought I would. It also makes a pretty decent portrait lens as well.

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Jul 8, 2018 16:03:31   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
It is a very good macro lens but the $400 off is the normal price for it ($569) don't be fooled into thinking that is a sale price.

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Jul 8, 2018 16:55:10   #
Rayjenks
 
Thanks a million for the info

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Jul 9, 2018 05:41:21   #
Chris Hall Loc: Burgess Hill, West Sussex, UK
 
I have one for sale on EBay:

www.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F332712672553" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F332712672553

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Jul 9, 2018 06:12:02   #
John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK
 
I have one and I think it's an O.K. lens. Manual focus could be easier, I find the thread a little coarse and fine tuning can take a bit of practise. Auto focus is good, but it can often hunt around looking for focus. This may be a problem with my CANON 60D which I believe had a not to good reputation for focusing anyway. Optically, I find the lens very pleasing.

A lot depends on what you want it for. If you're walking around the local nature reserve and just want instant response for a dragonfly or somewhat you might do better to look at something else. If you want to set something up and wait it'll be fine.

My neighbour has a CANON 100mm AF macro on a 70D and that's a better set up all around. Last time I looked the price differential between the two was somewhat less than it was when I bought mine.

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Jul 9, 2018 07:21:47   #
beerhunter13 Loc: Southern Ontario, Canada
 
Something to consider; 100 mm macro lenses typically have a minimum focusing distance (MFD) of around 12". At this distance between the subject and the sensor plane, the subject is the same size on the sensor as it is in real life. The front of the lens is now about 6" from the subject which, if it is an insect, might get spooked and leave. If your subject is a flower, the chances of it getting spooked is not an issue but if it does be sure to get a photo, you have something quite rare and definitely photo worthy. The solution is to use a 150 mm or, better still, a 180 mm lens which have MFD's in the 15" to 19" range. Unfortunately these lenses are physically longer so the gain in MFD results in a minimum working distance (MWD) of 7.5" to 9.5" respectively. This increase in MWD might mean the difference between spooking the insect or getting the shot. Another advantage of the longer focal length macro lenses is the bokeh is softer than the shorter lens allowing greater visual isolation between the subject and the background.

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Jul 9, 2018 08:07:38   #
travisdeland Loc: deland, FL
 
" Unfortunately these lenses are physically longer so the gain in MFD results in a minimum working distance (MWD) of 7.5" to 9.5" respectively."

And you should mention that the longer lenses are also significantly heavier-AND more expensive.

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Jul 9, 2018 08:46:30   #
gwilliams6
 
I own the new Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 Macro lens and have no problem getting close to insects. It is as much about the time of day (shoot in early morning, when the insects are moving slower) and your technique (move in slowly) and you will have success. Here is a shot made 7/6/18 with my Sony A7III and the Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 macro of a dragonfly. Shooting early in the morning, I was able to slowly get closer and closer until I had the framing I wanted. This is the jpeg straight out of the camera, shot at high ISO, with no post processing and noise reduction turned off. The raw image I also shot will look even better after post processing. (I always shoot raw+jpeg).This shot was made with natural light. If you use a strobe in your setup, then you can help stop most insect motion. Here is a good , inexpensive one. https://www.adorama.com/fprled.html
PLEASE CLICK ON DOWNLOAD, BELOW THE SHOT, TO GET THE ORIGINAL COLORS AND RESOLUTION. CHEERS


(Download)

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Jul 9, 2018 09:31:45   #
chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY
 
gwilliams6 wrote:
I own the new Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 Macro lens and have no problem getting close to insects. It is as much about the time of day (shoot in early morning, when the insects are moving slower) and your technique (move in slowly) and you will have success. Here is a shot made 7/6/18 with my Sony A7III and the Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 macro of a dragonfly. Shooting early in the morning, I was able to slowly get closer and closer until I had the framing I wanted. This is the jpeg straight out of the camera, shot at high ISO, with no post processing and noise reduction turned off. The raw image I also shot will look even better after post processing. (I always shoot raw+jpeg).This shot was made with natural light. If you use a strobe in your setup, then you can help stop most insect motion. Here is a good , inexpensive one. https://www.adorama.com/fprled.html
PLEASE CLICK ON DOWNLOAD, BELOW THE SHOT, TO GET THE ORIGINAL COLORS AND RESOLUTION. CHEERS
I own the new Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 Macro lens and h... (show quote)


Nice shot! I agree - the working distance of 90-100mm+ macro lens is not too critical for insects (especially with an APS-C camera)- it depends more on which insect you are shooting. Bees, wasps, hornets, dragonflies, butterflies flutter around and don't stay in one spot too long (fraction of a second to a few seconds), while other bugs such as mosquitoes and lady bugs will hang around for longer. Lady bugs are easy they will even stay on your hand. You just have to be quick and anticipate the spot they will land on, pre-focus, and pull the trigger. Also with a longer lens you will get shallower DOF which is already very shallow.

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Jul 9, 2018 09:49:48   #
Acufine3200 Loc: Texarkana USA
 
Have it, love it. Well, I guess I do. Got it in, showed my wife how it worked, and now it stays on her D7200. I’ve performed no pixel tests, but I’m picky. I haven’t owned the Nikon version, so I can’t make a comparison. That said, this one has given me no reason to consider the “mother ship” alternative.

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Jul 9, 2018 10:03:17   #
zzzynick Loc: Colorado
 
When I bought a macro lens. I researched heavily. Read articles, watched youtube. After all that, out of the Canon, Sigma and Tamron. I bought the Tamron G2 90mm. Their Vibration Control sold me.

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Jul 9, 2018 10:05:40   #
Machinedoc Loc: Yorktown Heights, NY
 
I have had the Sigma 105mm, 2.8 macro lens (Contemporary) that I use on my Nikon D7200. Yes, it is a lens designed for Fx cameras that I am using on a Dx body...I really like this lens! It is sharp and focuses quickly. I have found that I need to use some exposure compensation (-0.3 to -1, depending on the circumstance). I paid $569 a year ago. Once again, I really like the lens and the more I use it, the more I like it!

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Jul 9, 2018 11:03:34   #
dglphoto Loc: Lynnwood, WA
 
Yes, I have a Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro with Sony A-mount. I haven't used it a ton but a few times. I like it. Minimum focusing distance is 31.2 cm or 12.28 inches. I bought it not quite three years ago at Adorama. List price was $969 and I got it on sale for $669. As other people have stated, it is on the heavy side (725 grams or 25.6 Oz). Magnification is 1:1.

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Jul 9, 2018 11:12:31   #
Bob Boner
 
I have the Sigma 150 macro and really like it. It gives me more distance from the lens to the object when photographing insects. Less chance of having them fly off just as I am about ready to form the image.

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