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Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM
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. Ultrasonic AFLenses with ultrasonic focusing mechanism tend to be quiter and faster than traditionally focusing lenses. No stepping motor AFLenses with stepping motor focusing mechanism are better for contrast based focusing, and are quiter and faster than traditionally focusing lenses. One or more 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. Internal FocusingInternally focusing lenses don't change their size while setting focus. The front lens is fixedThe fixed front lens is not rotating during zoom and/or focusing. This allows the photographer to use petal shaped lens hood. Fixed front lenses also make the use of polarization filters a lot easier. 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 is a telephoto macro lens thet is capable of life-size shots. Its performance makes it the perfect lens for digital and 35 mm SLR cameras. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass is effectively used to deliver superior correction of all types of aberrations, and, it is also capable of full-time manual focus. With the addition of an APO 1.4X Tele Converter, the lens can be used as a 210 mm F4 AF lens that automatically switches to MF when the subject is less than 0.52 m away. And with a 2X Tele Converter, it can be used as a 300 mm F5.6 MF lens.
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Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM Specification
| Available mount(s) | Canon EF, Nikon F, FourThirds, Sigma |
| Application(s) | Portrait, Sports, Closeup |
| Category(s) | Telephoto prime, Macro |
| Multiplier | 1× |
| Stabilizer | no |
| Focal length | 150 mm (prime) |
| Lens construction | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Angle of view |
35mm: 16.4° digital: 9.5° |
| Number of blades | 9 |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum focusing distance | 38 cm |
| Magnification | 1× |
| Filter size | 72 mm |
| Size | ∅ 79.6 × 137 mm |
| Weight | 895 g |
| Notes |
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| AF speed | 1 sec. (from close up to infinity) |
| AF sound | |
| Internal focusing | yes |
| Internal zoom | N/A |
| Fix front lens | yes |
| Mount type | metal |
| Weather sealed | N/A |
| Drop in filter | no |
| Ultrasonic AF | yes |
| Stepping motor AF | no |
| APS-C sized circle | no |
| Low dispersion lens element | yes |
| Hard case | N/A |
| Soft case | N/A |
| Lens hood |
LH780-03 printable lens hood |
| Tripod adapter | N/A |
| Discontinued | yes |
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM Reviews
Other reviews
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM review at www.fotoaparat.cz (English)
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM review at www.ephotozine.com (English)
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM review at dc.watch.impress.co.jp (Japanese)
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM review at www.the-digital-picture.com (English)
- Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM review at pixinfo.com (Hungarian)
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM in the news
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- Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 2,8/21 for EF mount
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Sigma 150mm f/2.8 APO MACRO EX DG HSM Owner Reviews
Most useful owner reviews from Amazon
Sharp. 2.8 is nice but be warned...
Feb 23, 2006
This lens is very sharp. I usually buy Canon L but I made the exception for this one after reading other reviews. This lens is on par with L sharpness and gives you some good working distance if you are shooting something that scares easy. Be warned though, if this is your first macro lens and/or first experience with macro photography, when you get close, your focus area is tiny and particularly at f2.8! If you don't already have one you may want to get a tripod as well. I was able to get some hand held shots with a lot of light from a window so I could use higher f stops.
Difficult to use
Mar 11, 2006
I am a beginner in using SLR. I used this lens to take several photos of my watch. this lens will hunt around for about 2 times if you set it to full focus range. The viewfinder looks reasonably bright. HSM is silent, seems to be silent than my Canon 50 F1.4 USM. However, this lens is SUPER difficult to use. It is a 150mm Macro lens. The depth of field is so short when focusing close and at F2.8. How short is that? just take a look with the watch photo i uploaded. (the 3 hands are just about total thickness of 1mm ...) So, if you want to have decent depth of field, you need to narrow it down to about F11 or even smaller. You will need a tripod in this case... And, Even slight movement of flowers caused by wind will make it out of focus... ( I actually use AI-servo when using this lens to take flowers~!) Don't spend money on this lens unless you are a pro in macro photography. Wait for the 70-200 Macro...
Excellent non Canon L lens
Oct 16, 2006
I have numerous Canon L lens, the 135L, the 200L, 24-70L, the 70-40L, additionally the canon 60 mm macro lens, the 50mm f/1.4, and the 85 f/1.8, lens; this lens and the Tamron 200-500 zoom are the only non Canon lens that I own. This lens stays on my camera more then any of the above lenses. The 2.8 aperture, the ability to do macro and 150 mm distance gives it such flexibility that it stays on my camera 1Ds the most and it is often on my 20d (the 1.6 multiplier makes it a little less flexible).
A great lens!
Jan 18, 2007
I am relatively new in photography and in my little experience I have only used Canon lenses for my camera, an EOS 350D. Eager to get involved in macro photography, I bought this lens a couple of weeks ago and I was extremely impressed when I got it. It is, of course, bulky but it has a magnificent sense of touch and an absolutely silent and quick focusing mechanism. I can't say about picture quality as I haven't tested it much yet (everything I shot so far was great), but it was a wonderful surprise to see that it came with its hood, ring and case, all in such an attractive price! Well done, SIGMA!!!
Excellent Macro despite limitations
Oct 29, 2005
I had a Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro and it was working quite well for me but I longed for a little more working distance. When Sigma came out with the 150mm f2.8 Macro, I tried researching it but couldn't find much info because it was such a new lens, I found the MTF charts on the Sigma Website and it was amazing. This lens was very close to the performance of the Sigma 180mm macro and Canon's famed 180mm f3.5 L. So I went ahead and bought it. It was a little pricy but I thought I could always return it if I didn't like it.
My first impressions taking the lens out of the box was very positive. It was quite compact for the focal length and was very well made. It balanced quite well on my 20D. I never liked Sigma's EX finish but I could live with it. The EX finish looks cheap to me,particularly the golden ring, and the EX badge, but it's better than Sigma's old design. The only thing I like about the EX finish is that it seems very durable. Even after heavy use there are no marks or scratches on the lens body and every time I wipe the lens body with a damp tissue, it just looks like brand new. The focus ring is nicely ribbed and wide but it didn't have the kind of damping Canon L lenses have, so it felt a little loose. The tripod ring is made of the same material as the lens body itself, but it didn't feel as smooth as the Canon's L like the 70-200 2.8IS and the 300mm f4 IS. One advantage Sigma's tripod rings have over Canon is you don't have to take it off the tripod to remove the lens. You just pull a knob and the ring opens allowing you to remove the lens. This is good if you have it all set on the tripod and want to quickly remove it for some hand held shots.
As far as it's optical performance is concerned, it's an absolute gem. When I review the pictures from this lens, all worries and niggles about price, finish etc dissapear and I'm glad I own it. I compared it against Canon's 135mm F2L which is one of Canon's sharpest lens,and this lens compares very favourably against it. In fact it is just as sharp as the 135mm at comparable apertures. But the 135mm is a stop faster and has faster focussing but that's a whole different story.
In short the lens is everything one can expect out of a macro. Excellent build, very sharp, good colors, excellent bokeh (out of focus areas). What else would one want? The focussing is slow, but it's a macro lens and that's how macro lenses are. The minimum aperture is 22 which may deter some, but I don't shoot slower than 22 anyway because of diffraction limitations.
This lens is just perfect for it's intended purpose. Needless to say, I sold my Canon 100mm in a jiffy.
AWESOME LENS!
Apr 23, 2006
This lens is fast and extremely sharp. I am using it on a D200 and it is great. I am deployed in Iraq and this lens is one I can feel comfortable about walking around with. It's built like a tank. It accepts the teleconverters which makes it even better. Buy this lens from 47th St Photo. Best prices.
Sigma gets an A on this one.
Mar 28, 2007
I have the Nikon 60 Micro lens and wanted something with more working distance. In the Photozone.de test, it was amazing. Very high resolution, even at f/2.8. And very low CA's(chromatic abberations). So I bought it and does it deliver that kind of performance? Yes it does! Sharpness and color redention was stunning. And at 1:1(life size on the negative or digital sensor), there's more than 7 inches working distance. Build quality is excellent. It's mostly metal construction. The focus ring has a nice dampened feel to it. The new Sigma rear caps fit tighter and do not come off. But they're a little harder to mount. About autofocus performance, it's fast, but hunted in low light with the Nikon D50 while shooting motocross. But that's a weakness of the camera body, not the lens. On the F100(a high end Nikon film camera), it was lightning fast and dead on. Yes it is a full frame lens, so it can be used on 35mm cameras also. There's a tripod collar and it makes for a well balanced setup when on a tripod. The collar is removable making it easier to do handheld shooting. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 allows more flexibility in low light. The filter thread is 72mm, and filters this big get expensive. It is a good all around telephoto-sports, portraits, landscapes...you name it. Just because it's labeled a macro doesn't mean a lens is good for macro only! It's not cheap, but if you want a solid performer that's great for all occasions, this just may what you're looking for.
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens
May 15, 2007
great lens and a great price. it has a nice feel to it. not too heavy and not too light. autofocus is somewhat slow but that is expected from a macro lens. otherwise its a great lens
