Full frame sized imageLenses that create APS-C sized image are designed for digital only. They cannot be used on cameras that have image sensor larger than the APS-C format. These lenses are not suitable for film cameras either. No Ultrasonic AFLenses with ultrasonic focusing mechanism tend to be quiter and faster than traditionally focusing lenses. No Low Dispersion lens element is usedLow Dispersion lens elements help to reduce chromatic aberration. Not stabilizedImage stabilization helps to reduce blur caused by hand shake, especially at high focal length or in low light situations. Image stabilization can give 1 to 3 stop advantage over none stabilized lens, based on the reciprocal rule. Metal mountCheaper lenses are usually equipped with plastic mount, while more expensive, professional lenses have metal mount. In general, metal mounts are more durable, and a good thing to have when lenses are changed a lot. When a camera is used mainly with one lens, the material of the lens mount is not that important. No Internal FocusingInternally focusing lenses don't change their size while setting focus. No drop-in filter supportDrop-in filters are used in those lenses where either the front lens is too large, or the field of view doesn't permit the use of traditional filters at the front of the lens. Usually bright tele and ultra-wide angle lenses support this filter type. |
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This standard macro lens uses a floating system and can take high-quality images from life-size shots to distant objects. Ther performance is especially sutibale for digital single-lens reflex cameras. The effects of magnification chromatic aberration, a specific problem for digital cameras, is reduced, and the correction of the various aberrations up to the periphery of the image is excellent. As a screw-type round hood is used, cirucal polaring filters can be used easily. An aperutre of F45 for greater depth of field is also provided (F32 for Nikon and Pentax).
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| Available mount(s) | Canon EF, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sony / Minolta A, Sigma |
| Application(s) | Portrait, Closeup, Landscape, Architecture |
| Category(s) | Standard prime, Macro |
| Multiplier | 1× |
| Stabilizer | no |
| Focal length | 50 mm (prime) |
| Lens construction | 10 elements in 9 groups |
| Angle of view |
35mm: 46.8° digital: 27.9° |
| Number of blades | 7 |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/45 |
| Minimum focusing distance | 18.90 cm |
| Magnification | 1× |
| Filter size | 55 mm |
| Size | ∅ 71.4 × 66.5 mm |
| Weight | 320 g |
| Notes |
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| AF speed | N/A |
| AF sound | |
| Internal focusing | no |
| Internal zoom | N/A |
| Fix front lens | N/A |
| Mount type | metal |
| Weather sealed | N/A |
| Drop in filter | no |
| Ultrasonic AF | no |
| APS-C sized circle | no |
| Low dispersion lens element | no |
| Hard case | N/A |
| Soft case | N/A |
| Lens hood |
LH550-01 printable lens hood |
| Tripod adapter | N/A |
Jul 9, 2006
I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it.
The lens is an excellent lens for close-up photos. I am not a professional photographer but I try really hard to get good sharp photos. This lens will do the job.
Since it is also also a 50mm lens I have used it as a normal lens. The only problem with that is that over the years many of us have been spoiled with zoom lenses. With a zoom lens you can stand in one spot and zoom the lens in or out to get closer or father from your subject. With just the 50mm capability of this lens you have to physically move in or out to get a closer shot or a wider shot. This is not necessarily a criticism, just a comment about how we have been spoiled by zoom lenses.
I do not believe you will be disappointed with this lens. The price is great for the quality.
Jun 29, 2009
Bought this lens to assist in Small Product Photography. Since depth of field is normally limited in Macro Photography, the ability of this lens to stop down to F45 was crucial. The result was fine detail and color reproduction to the point where I could see my finger prints on the bezels of the watches. Got to wear cotton gloves!
Don West Photography
Apr 14, 2007
This was my first non canon lens,I was wanting a macro lens that also would be a good low light lens to use in the home to take photos of my pets at play.After reading many reviews I was concerned about the Auto focus being too slow for my needs,but I just couldn't spring for a Canon 60mm Macro at this time.
My lens came today,and I have to say I am fairly pleased.It does not hunt like my 28-135mm always has,and the AF is fairly fast,even in the low light of my living room with no interior lights on and only one window curtain open during daylight.The limitor switch does speed it up noticable as well. The colors is what has impressed me so far,The browns of my chocolate lab's coat were true,and had nice highlights I had never been able to get before.The lens fgocuses very close to an object as well,and I am looking forward to comparing my macro shots to the ones I got with my 28-135 with a macro filter applied.
There have been complaints that the hood doesnt fit the lens cap,but I think a 72mm lens cap would work well on the hood itself and would solve this problem for those who keep the hood on the lens.
Dec 29, 2007
For the price I am happy with this macro lens. I purchased it for a Nikon D40 DSLR. It will not auto focus with this camera, as a AF-S lens is needed for that; but those are in the range of $700+; so this lens is fine with manual focus, and for $550 or so less than one that will auto focus with my camera. I am happy with the photo quality that it produces.
Dec 3, 2008
This lens has been my primary shooting lens for the last three years on my Nikon D50. The only use left for my my kit lens "AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED" is as an 18mm wide angle. This Sigma 50mm f/2.8 prime lens is very sharp. I use it as a portrait lens on my cropped DX sensor camera (eq. 80mm on a full frame FX sensor). It also works great in low light. For portraits, I set f/5.6 if I am only 3-4 feet away. If I am 6-9 feet away I use f/4. You can try to use f/2.8 close-up but you are taking a chance, as the depth of field is so narrow that you might have the eyebrows sharply in focus and the nose and ears blurry. This lens is also very durable. On the negative side, focusing is not super-fast, but that didn't bother me, so I say go for it.
Jul 9, 2006
I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it.
The lens is an excellent lens for close-up photos. I am not a professional photographer but I try really hard to get good sharp photos. This lens will do the job.
Since it is also also a 50mm lens I have used it as a normal lens. The only problem with that is that over the years many of us have been spoiled with zoom lenses. With a zoom lens you can stand in one spot and zoom the lens in or out to get closer or father from your subject. With just the 50mm capability of this lens you have to physically move in or out to get a closer shot or a wider shot. This is not necessarily a criticism, just a comment about how we have been spoiled by zoom lenses.
I do not believe you will be disappointed with this lens. The price is great for the quality.
Jun 29, 2009
Bought this lens to assist in Small Product Photography. Since depth of field is normally limited in Macro Photography, the ability of this lens to stop down to F45 was crucial. The result was fine detail and color reproduction to the point where I could see my finger prints on the bezels of the watches. Got to wear cotton gloves!
Don West Photography
Apr 14, 2007
This was my first non canon lens,I was wanting a macro lens that also would be a good low light lens to use in the home to take photos of my pets at play.After reading many reviews I was concerned about the Auto focus being too slow for my needs,but I just couldn't spring for a Canon 60mm Macro at this time.
My lens came today,and I have to say I am fairly pleased.It does not hunt like my 28-135mm always has,and the AF is fairly fast,even in the low light of my living room with no interior lights on and only one window curtain open during daylight.The limitor switch does speed it up noticable as well. The colors is what has impressed me so far,The browns of my chocolate lab's coat were true,and had nice highlights I had never been able to get before.The lens fgocuses very close to an object as well,and I am looking forward to comparing my macro shots to the ones I got with my 28-135 with a macro filter applied.
There have been complaints that the hood doesnt fit the lens cap,but I think a 72mm lens cap would work well on the hood itself and would solve this problem for those who keep the hood on the lens.
Dec 29, 2007
For the price I am happy with this macro lens. I purchased it for a Nikon D40 DSLR. It will not auto focus with this camera, as a AF-S lens is needed for that; but those are in the range of $700+; so this lens is fine with manual focus, and for $550 or so less than one that will auto focus with my camera. I am happy with the photo quality that it produces.
Dec 3, 2008
This lens has been my primary shooting lens for the last three years on my Nikon D50. The only use left for my my kit lens "AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED" is as an 18mm wide angle. This Sigma 50mm f/2.8 prime lens is very sharp. I use it as a portrait lens on my cropped DX sensor camera (eq. 80mm on a full frame FX sensor). It also works great in low light. For portraits, I set f/5.6 if I am only 3-4 feet away. If I am 6-9 feet away I use f/4. You can try to use f/2.8 close-up but you are taking a chance, as the depth of field is so narrow that you might have the eyebrows sharply in focus and the nose and ears blurry. This lens is also very durable. On the negative side, focusing is not super-fast, but that didn't bother me, so I say go for it.
Jul 9, 2006
I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it.
The lens is an excellent lens for close-up photos. I am not a professional photographer but I try really hard to get good sharp photos. This lens will do the job.
Since it is also also a 50mm lens I have used it as a normal lens. The only problem with that is that over the years many of us have been spoiled with zoom lenses. With a zoom lens you can stand in one spot and zoom the lens in or out to get closer or father from your subject. With just the 50mm capability of this lens you have to physically move in or out to get a closer shot or a wider shot. This is not necessarily a criticism, just a comment about how we have been spoiled by zoom lenses.
I do not believe you will be disappointed with this lens. The price is great for the quality.
Jun 29, 2009
Bought this lens to assist in Small Product Photography. Since depth of field is normally limited in Macro Photography, the ability of this lens to stop down to F45 was crucial. The result was fine detail and color reproduction to the point where I could see my finger prints on the bezels of the watches. Got to wear cotton gloves!
Don West Photography
Apr 14, 2007
This was my first non canon lens,I was wanting a macro lens that also would be a good low light lens to use in the home to take photos of my pets at play.After reading many reviews I was concerned about the Auto focus being too slow for my needs,but I just couldn't spring for a Canon 60mm Macro at this time.
My lens came today,and I have to say I am fairly pleased.It does not hunt like my 28-135mm always has,and the AF is fairly fast,even in the low light of my living room with no interior lights on and only one window curtain open during daylight.The limitor switch does speed it up noticable as well. The colors is what has impressed me so far,The browns of my chocolate lab's coat were true,and had nice highlights I had never been able to get before.The lens fgocuses very close to an object as well,and I am looking forward to comparing my macro shots to the ones I got with my 28-135 with a macro filter applied.
There have been complaints that the hood doesnt fit the lens cap,but I think a 72mm lens cap would work well on the hood itself and would solve this problem for those who keep the hood on the lens.
Dec 29, 2007
For the price I am happy with this macro lens. I purchased it for a Nikon D40 DSLR. It will not auto focus with this camera, as a AF-S lens is needed for that; but those are in the range of $700+; so this lens is fine with manual focus, and for $550 or so less than one that will auto focus with my camera. I am happy with the photo quality that it produces.
Dec 3, 2008
This lens has been my primary shooting lens for the last three years on my Nikon D50. The only use left for my my kit lens "AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED" is as an 18mm wide angle. This Sigma 50mm f/2.8 prime lens is very sharp. I use it as a portrait lens on my cropped DX sensor camera (eq. 80mm on a full frame FX sensor). It also works great in low light. For portraits, I set f/5.6 if I am only 3-4 feet away. If I am 6-9 feet away I use f/4. You can try to use f/2.8 close-up but you are taking a chance, as the depth of field is so narrow that you might have the eyebrows sharply in focus and the nose and ears blurry. This lens is also very durable. On the negative side, focusing is not super-fast, but that didn't bother me, so I say go for it.
Jul 9, 2006
I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it.
The lens is an excellent lens for close-up photos. I am not a professional photographer but I try really hard to get good sharp photos. This lens will do the job.
Since it is also also a 50mm lens I have used it as a normal lens. The only problem with that is that over the years many of us have been spoiled with zoom lenses. With a zoom lens you can stand in one spot and zoom the lens in or out to get closer or father from your subject. With just the 50mm capability of this lens you have to physically move in or out to get a closer shot or a wider shot. This is not necessarily a criticism, just a comment about how we have been spoiled by zoom lenses.
I do not believe you will be disappointed with this lens. The price is great for the quality.
Jun 29, 2009
Bought this lens to assist in Small Product Photography. Since depth of field is normally limited in Macro Photography, the ability of this lens to stop down to F45 was crucial. The result was fine detail and color reproduction to the point where I could see my finger prints on the bezels of the watches. Got to wear cotton gloves!
Don West Photography
Apr 14, 2007
This was my first non canon lens,I was wanting a macro lens that also would be a good low light lens to use in the home to take photos of my pets at play.After reading many reviews I was concerned about the Auto focus being too slow for my needs,but I just couldn't spring for a Canon 60mm Macro at this time.
My lens came today,and I have to say I am fairly pleased.It does not hunt like my 28-135mm always has,and the AF is fairly fast,even in the low light of my living room with no interior lights on and only one window curtain open during daylight.The limitor switch does speed it up noticable as well. The colors is what has impressed me so far,The browns of my chocolate lab's coat were true,and had nice highlights I had never been able to get before.The lens fgocuses very close to an object as well,and I am looking forward to comparing my macro shots to the ones I got with my 28-135 with a macro filter applied.
There have been complaints that the hood doesnt fit the lens cap,but I think a 72mm lens cap would work well on the hood itself and would solve this problem for those who keep the hood on the lens.
Dec 29, 2007
For the price I am happy with this macro lens. I purchased it for a Nikon D40 DSLR. It will not auto focus with this camera, as a AF-S lens is needed for that; but those are in the range of $700+; so this lens is fine with manual focus, and for $550 or so less than one that will auto focus with my camera. I am happy with the photo quality that it produces.
Dec 3, 2008
This lens has been my primary shooting lens for the last three years on my Nikon D50. The only use left for my my kit lens "AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED" is as an 18mm wide angle. This Sigma 50mm f/2.8 prime lens is very sharp. I use it as a portrait lens on my cropped DX sensor camera (eq. 80mm on a full frame FX sensor). It also works great in low light. For portraits, I set f/5.6 if I am only 3-4 feet away. If I am 6-9 feet away I use f/4. You can try to use f/2.8 close-up but you are taking a chance, as the depth of field is so narrow that you might have the eyebrows sharply in focus and the nose and ears blurry. This lens is also very durable. On the negative side, focusing is not super-fast, but that didn't bother me, so I say go for it.
Jul 9, 2006
I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it.
The lens is an excellent lens for close-up photos. I am not a professional photographer but I try really hard to get good sharp photos. This lens will do the job.
Since it is also also a 50mm lens I have used it as a normal lens. The only problem with that is that over the years many of us have been spoiled with zoom lenses. With a zoom lens you can stand in one spot and zoom the lens in or out to get closer or father from your subject. With just the 50mm capability of this lens you have to physically move in or out to get a closer shot or a wider shot. This is not necessarily a criticism, just a comment about how we have been spoiled by zoom lenses.
I do not believe you will be disappointed with this lens. The price is great for the quality.
Jun 29, 2009
Bought this lens to assist in Small Product Photography. Since depth of field is normally limited in Macro Photography, the ability of this lens to stop down to F45 was crucial. The result was fine detail and color reproduction to the point where I could see my finger prints on the bezels of the watches. Got to wear cotton gloves!
Don West Photography
Apr 14, 2007
This was my first non canon lens,I was wanting a macro lens that also would be a good low light lens to use in the home to take photos of my pets at play.After reading many reviews I was concerned about the Auto focus being too slow for my needs,but I just couldn't spring for a Canon 60mm Macro at this time.
My lens came today,and I have to say I am fairly pleased.It does not hunt like my 28-135mm always has,and the AF is fairly fast,even in the low light of my living room with no interior lights on and only one window curtain open during daylight.The limitor switch does speed it up noticable as well. The colors is what has impressed me so far,The browns of my chocolate lab's coat were true,and had nice highlights I had never been able to get before.The lens fgocuses very close to an object as well,and I am looking forward to comparing my macro shots to the ones I got with my 28-135 with a macro filter applied.
There have been complaints that the hood doesnt fit the lens cap,but I think a 72mm lens cap would work well on the hood itself and would solve this problem for those who keep the hood on the lens.
Dec 29, 2007
For the price I am happy with this macro lens. I purchased it for a Nikon D40 DSLR. It will not auto focus with this camera, as a AF-S lens is needed for that; but those are in the range of $700+; so this lens is fine with manual focus, and for $550 or so less than one that will auto focus with my camera. I am happy with the photo quality that it produces.
Dec 3, 2008
This lens has been my primary shooting lens for the last three years on my Nikon D50. The only use left for my my kit lens "AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED" is as an 18mm wide angle. This Sigma 50mm f/2.8 prime lens is very sharp. I use it as a portrait lens on my cropped DX sensor camera (eq. 80mm on a full frame FX sensor). It also works great in low light. For portraits, I set f/5.6 if I am only 3-4 feet away. If I am 6-9 feet away I use f/4. You can try to use f/2.8 close-up but you are taking a chance, as the depth of field is so narrow that you might have the eyebrows sharply in focus and the nose and ears blurry. This lens is also very durable. On the negative side, focusing is not super-fast, but that didn't bother me, so I say go for it.