Customer Reviews

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Medium Telephoto Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally I didn't want to stray from Nikon products, but Sigma definitely has my attention. This is an excellent lens in both build quality and function. It works flawlessly on my Nikon D40, metering perfectly and in addition, even though it's manual focus on my camera, it is spot on with the auto-focus indicator light (lower left corner of view finder). I highly recommend this lens to anyone who is looking to get into macro! Don't be scared if you're a Nikon D40 user, I was at first, and now I'm hooked on this lens! Do yourself a favor and buy one!

I debated between this and the 105 Nikkor but at $ 350 versus $750, I decided to try the Sigma and return it if it was not satisfactory. The build seems good with a very solid feel and, while the autofucus is a bit slower than the AF-s Nikkors, it is fine for all but the macro shots which need manual focus anyway. Comparing sharpness at f8, it is about as sharp as my 18-135 at the center and much, much sharper as you move from the center. Overall, I'm very happy I saved the $450.

I have had this lens for more than a year so I know all the Pros and Cons; I did not just buy it and I am not writing a spur of the moment review. If you are debating between this lens and the Nikon one, I would go with this one. I am not saying this one in better than the Nikon because I haven't used the Nikon, but I don't imagine it is $350 better.

Now there are reviews that complain about the auto-focusing on this lens. It is a Macro lens meaning its field of focus is very small at 2.8 so it will tend to go back and forth at times, especially if there is a lot of things in the viewfinder. If you know how to use a DSLR then should be able to Manual Focus it. When shooting portrait style photos I have no problem with the autofocus, now with nature it doesn't always want to focus perfectly no, but like I said above it is a Macro lens and focuses very tight. Also a one person said to go to Manual Focus you have to flip the switch on the camera, one the lens, and move the focusing ring. Which is not true. The switch on the lens is a focus limiting switch. Which locks the camera in full minimum focus ratio, meaning it will focus closer up, or you can limit it.

I personally don't like the lens hood because it screws on, instead of twist and lock, which also means you can't put a filter on the lens directly while using the lens hood. Instead you have to put the filter on the hood itself.
Also it fits the Nikon but doesn't lock in the camera body as easy or smoothly, again it still fits and works fine.

I personally love my sigma lens and will definitely buy my next lens through Sigma. Most likely will be the 50mm Macro.

I previously owned the sigma 150 macro. It was super sharp and awesome in any way, just kind of big and heavy. So I decided to get the 105mm because it's cheaper and lighter, more likely to stay in my bag. The 105 lacks HSM but that's not really a problem for macro where you use manual focus, or for portraits where you don't need fast focusing. The min focus distance is about the same.

I didn't get the 60-70mm macros because I also want to use the lens for portraits and 105 is better.

I researched the tokina & tamron equivalents but I choose sigma cause it was cheaper. The reviews say they're all about the same. I agree the Tamron 90 macro is better but it's a lot more expensive. Plus I think 105 is better for portraits.

Overall I highly recommend this lens for nikons. For canon bodies, the sigmas typically front focus and I would only buy canon lenses (canon has a good 100mm macro).

This lens was exactly what I was looking for. It is fast and sharp.

Sometimes, however, it has troubles finding the object during focus and travels the full length. I just switch to manual focus to get around that issue.

Highly recommended!

I recently bought this lens for a Nikon D90 camera. I am new to Macro Photography and chose this lens over the Nikon 85mm. At first I had trouble taking macro pictures with the lens. I know you are supposed to use a tripod, but right now that's just not my style. Finding a way to put a tripod in front of a flower and trying to catch the bee in the act just doesn't appeal to me. My pictures at first were blurry. My shutter speed was too low to hand hold the shots. After giving the shutter more speed I solved that problem. Now my pictures are just as nice and clear. The lens works well with my Nikon D90. It doesn't make any noise at all and is very snappy to lock in when I use auto focus. It doesn't hunt at all. I did find that in taking pictures of things close up it is easier to take the pictures in manual focus. Focusing in manual is real easy with this lens. The picture quality is fabulous! I just love this lens!!!!! I posted a link to some of my pictures in the comments section.

The Sigma 105mm macro lens is an exceptional performer both in the non macro auto focus area, and the manual macro position. Excellent glass and ease of operation has contributed to some amazing detailed photos of insects with my Nikon D80. Locked in at F32, the DOF is tremendous, extending the entire length of the "bugs". With its iTTL in the camera's flash mode, portraits are correctly exposed at various distances. Married to extension rings, or magnifying filter attachments, allows clean images. With the 1:1 aspect ratio, small subjects are captured life size with a working distances of 5 inches. Significantly cheaper than the Nikon version, it provides outstanding performance with no spherical aberrations....

I bought this Sigma Macro lens along with the Sigma ring flash as a matched set. I am glad I did. Sigma has a good reputation and this lens proofs it. Great price and great quality. This macro lens works perfect, the zoom and focus work great on any close subject, I am truly impressed with the photos it produces. It works perfectly with my Nikon D80 camera.

This lens is AWESOME. I had the opportunity to try it last month and I'm really satisfied with the results.

**I'm using D40X, so AUTO FUCUS WON'T WORK !! Moreover, I found some dust particles inside the lens when I received it, but it didn't effect the quality of my picz.

Other than that, I'm happy to have this lens in my collection.

I have been using this lens in my studio for close to a year now. I'm very happy with the results I've been able to achieve and would recommend it to others.

Images I've shot with this lens have appeared on clients websites, advertising in magazines, and used in various printed materials.

At this time I use it exclusively in my work in the studio along with my Nikon D80.

View images taken with this lens here: http://flickr.com/photos/zeitlosimagery/