Sigma 150mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLRs

by Sigma

• Focuses down to 1:1 magnification ratio at its closest working distance of 15 inches

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 2.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B004M18N1G
• Item model number: 150mm f/2.8 Canon
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2011

Product Description

Style: Canon Digital SLRs

Sigma Macro 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM (106-101) boasts Optical Stabilization (OS) which is critical to equipment sporting this focal range and is now splash-proof. Offering the latest optical design technology this lens remains a large aperture medium macro lens ideal for shooting the smaller things in world that exists virtually unseen.A macro lens is one which will focus on a subject close enough to render it "life-size" on the image plane in your camera. It also has a "flat" field" front lens element so that it can shoot images of flat objects such as artwork or postage stamps and be tack sharp all the way across the image. With HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) a quiet & high-speed auto focus is ensured. It provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide optimum color correction and sharpness throughout the entire range and Super Multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp and high contrast images even at maximum apertures. The OS offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. It is also compatible with Sigma APO Tele Converters. Ideally suited for taking pictures of insects or other small creatures, but it is also the perfect focal length for facial portraits rendering the best perspective of the human face. This greater distance also allows the photographer more flexi

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Serves two purposes March 11, 2012

By ShutterFlash

Style Name:Canon Digital SLRs|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a professional photographer and typically purchase Canon lenses, but this lens fills a gap in the Canon line-up that I couldn't otherwise fill. Canon does not offer (at the time of writing this review) a macro lens of this focal length that has image stabilization. I consider image stabilization essential for telephoto lenses when shooting hand-held. This lens does not disappoint. The stabilization system works as promised for telephoto shots.

I only own fast lenses (f/2.8 or wider) and this lens is a fast telephoto. Wide open at f/2.8, it is a bit soft at the edges, but needle sharp in the center. This is to be expected from this kind of lens. Stopped down to f/8 the sharpness extends to the full frame. Bokeh is creamy smooth.

I recommend turning off the image stabilization when shooting macro with this lens, and using a tripod. Macro focus is too critical at this focal length to do close-up shots hand-held. Wide open, the depth of field is razor thin. Even stopped down to f/16, there isn't much room for error.

This lens is in my bag whenever I want the versatility of a telephoto and a macro in one lens. It does both jobs competently. This is a pro-quality lens that I highly recommend.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant lens, fantastic value July 5, 2012

By M. Kovac

Style Name:Nikon Digital SLRs|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an amazing lens and what a bargain. I purchased this after experiencing extremely bad and annoying CA on a Tokina 100mm ATX Pro macro and realizing that a little longer working distance would work better for me as well. I also looked at the Nikon 105 Micro Nikkor (now made in China) and after reading a few reviews from diverse sources decided to give this a try.
The fit and finish of the lens which is made in Japan is first class. It is a heavy lens but you can remove the well made tripod collar and save a few ounces for hand held shooting. Either way it is quite well balanced. It has all the setting I need (AF range limiter, AF/MF switch, and the option to turn off the optical stabilizer (OS in Sigma terms, or VR in Nikon speak)). Manual focus is beutifully precise and it is easy to move focus by a very small distance although I wish it focussed in the same direction as my Nikon lenses.
I'm using it on a Nikon D800E and the match to that sensor is simply stunning. I have never seen detail like this before. There is no color fringing or CA to speak of, even wide open. Bokeh is beautiful and creamy. I even took some flat art shots and there was no need for any field correction whatsoever. Light fall off is less than I expected, color is refreshingly neutral. On a crop sensor D7000 performance is stunning as well, but the lens feels heavy and the balance is a little awkward with that camera. Overall this is one of the best lenses for a Nikon camera I have owned.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you could only have one lens, get this! November 5, 2012

By AMM

Style Name:Nikon Digital SLRs|Amazon Verified Purchase

Pros:
1. Amazing sharpness - can easily resolve to the full potential of the D800's 36MP. Great colors, bokeh, clarity and contrast. ZERO distortion - absolutely none. Straight lines are razor sharp. Almost no chromatic aberration even shot wide open on contrasty subjects.
2. Heavy, but well balanced lens (but far lighter than a f/2.8 telephoto zoom). Solidly constructed with absolutely no play. Nice smooth metallic texture, and large rubberized focus rings. Buttons and focus ring are smooth and easy to use/engage and to switch from mode to mode.
3. Quiet and fast focusing. Not as fast as the Nikon/Canon f/2.8 zooms, but still very good. Speed is drastically improved by limiting the range to macro or telephoto. Very easy to use manual focus too.
4. 100% in focus images. Close to 1000 photos later, not one image has missed focus in either the macro or the telephoto range.
5. Stabilization good - gives 2 stops improvement in telephoto (about 1/40s shutter speeds). Great lens for hand-holding.
6. Nice bokeh - smooth and rounded, with no harsh edges or aberrations.

Cons:
1. Tightening the tripod collar seems to affect focusing ability. Need to investigate this issue more with Sigma.
2. Slight focus breathing between 1:1 and 1:2 macro. After 1:2, almost no change in image size. However, this is a design limitation with all macros. In the telephoto range, it is far better than the Nikon f/2.8 zoom whose 200mm effectively becomes 135mm at close focus. The Sigma stays at 150mm at almost all focus distances.

Test notes/comments about the focal length:
1. Great perspective for telephoto shots - ideal for candids. Amazing bokeh even when shot from 20 feet away.
2. Great for telephoto landscapes/skyline shots.... Sharp enough to resolve the rivets on a building from 2 miles away. Great clarity means it can handle the insane dynamic range of the D800 easily. No coma even wide open on bright point sources of light.
3. 150mm macro gives 7 inches of working distance from the front of the lens at 1:1.
4. DOF is only a few 100 microns thick at f/2.8 1:1
5. Great pairing with a fast telephoto prime such as the 85mm 1.4 or 1.8. If you plan on buying an 85mm prime, this is a more sensible focal length than the 105mm macro. With the 85mm prime, this lens combo can replace the 70-200/2.8 and give far more flexibility and can work out cheaper.
6. Rattling noise when OIS engages. Does not affect shots at all, but not sure if this is normal. Need to investigate with Sigma.

Conclusions:
Best value for money. One of the best lenses for the D800 (or other high MP cameras). No optical flaws at all. No handling flaws. No significant performance flaws. Perfect for hand-held macro/telephoto shooting.

(This is the first time I'm posting a review for a product, because this lens is just that good!) Read more ›

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My first HEAVY lens... December 18, 2011

By Kenneth L.

Style Name:Canon Digital SLRs|Amazon Verified Purchase

Heavy man... oh my, I'm channeling the 1970's again,

Great lens. Optical stabilization, fast, fast, fast. Heavy for someone not expecting it to be so heavy.

HOWEVER, with a "C" size sensor the effective range of this lens on a Canon with a multiplication of 1.6 is 240mm and really far to close for my purposes, or so I believed when I had this lens.

I returned the lens and bought the Sigma 70-200 f2.8, stabilized lens and am happy with this lens.

Recently I have been reviewing my macro shots with this 150mm lens and I'm positive I'll be repurchasing it in the future and using my tripod. I have found new uses for this lens and now miss it. Rattlesnakes up close and personal? The longer the lens the safer you are and use a spotter to look for other rattlers when pursuing their portraits. Once bitten... WHY?