Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 2.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009JKGYC
• Item model number: B0009JKGYC
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 20, 2006

Product Description

Taking picture of small animals and insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera and such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects. The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography, without disturbing the subjects. The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO lens has a very narrow field of view, and can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent macro lens, April 10, 2009

By 

Classic Movie watcher - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Already in my possession is the older version of Nikon 105mm micro lens, I would like to explore a macro lens of a longer focal length. This lens is reasonably priced (I got it during promotion with the price just slightly higher than the sigma 150mm macro lens) and I have seen breathtaking photos taken by this lens on the internet.

The photo quality of the images I have taken so far is excellent; the contrast and colour very close to Nikon lens. In addition, the lens has a good balance when handheld (I don't use a tripod and so I remove the tripod collar) with the hood. The advantage over macro lens of shorter focal length is the flexibility to work from a longer distance. Gone are the days when the butterfly, bees and moths would flee from the scenes when I tried to approach them. In addition, when I took this lens only on a trip, I can switch comfortably between taking small objects and birds from a distance. Today a black crowned egret flew past and I could take a reasonbly sharp photo of it. (Focus with HSM at a distant object is fast.)

The disadvantages (which I can settle) are
(a) its weight when compared with 105mm lens
(b) the relative shallow depth of field when compared with 105mm lens and 150mm lens
(c) the slightly greater challenge to ensure the entire object lies on the focal plane so that it is sharp all across
(d) coating of the barrel of the lens (not as good as the Nikon lenses)
However, since I can always increase the ISO by 1-2 steps and work with a smaller aperture, the resulting images can be as good as the other shorter lenes. Also, imagine taking just one lens instead of two when taking photos in the field is already a big incentive to give this lens a very serious thought.

To summarise, both the Sigma 150mm and Sigma 180mm are very strong contenders in the macro photography. In my case, since the prices of the lens during promotion are insignificant, I have no problem taking the longer lens. But if the prices resume to normal and the difference is big, I will have a bigger problem deciding which lens I should pick. For this 180mm lens, I have taking photos of jumping spiders, tiny bees, butterflies, small flowers,... and the images are crisp, sharp, colourful and better than I've ever dreamed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens, May 29, 2010

By 

M. L. Gregory "jhawk1000" (kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I have owned this lens now for about a month. It was bought to be used on a Nikon D700, D2x, and D200. I have already taken it on a vacation trip to Mesa Verde, Colorado and it performed flawlessly. It does hunt somewhat at close macro distances but I would prefer manual focus on extreme close ups anyway. The reviews talk about the sturdiness and tank-like quality and this is true but it is easy to handhold at normal shutter speeds.
I have used it for macros, for sports photography and portraits. It hardly ever is taken off the D2x since this is the camera of choice for me. Wife has used it on the D700 and since she does photography for her profession, her opinion counts for me. She loves the lens!
The supplied lens hood will mar fairly easily since I already have some small rub marks. I am not sure I like the sparkly finish on the hood and lens but it works and that is what it is supposed to do. I own two other Sigmas, one consumer type zoom lens which is the 28-105mm f2.8/4 which I hardly use and the 12-24mm EX which I use occasionally. My other lenses are all Nikon which include many primes (300mm f4 and f2.8, 70-200mm 2.8 VR, 80-200mm 2.8 and quite a lot of other ones) and this Sigma 180mm f3.5 is every bit the equal in contrast, sharpness and build as the Nikon lenses. I bought this on Amazon through 47th St. Photo at an amazingly low price. I was worried about the merchant because of previous experience but the lens was shipped immediately, arrived boxed and well packed in 2 business days.

Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good, October 13, 2009

By 

N. Cole (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I haven't been able to use the lens much yet but it's what I've hoped for in a Macro. I almost went with a smaller lens but I'm happy I didn't.