Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Very strange, I ordered this lens off Amazon about 10 days ago for much, much less. I just got it and it does look to be a gray market lens -- meaning it is meant for sale in another country (I am in the U.S.). The only difference between it and a U.S. lens is the length of the warranty and where you send it for service. I do wish they did say it up front that it was gray market but I did get it for just over $500 so I may keep it and roll the dice. It has an impressive build quality, nice heft ( I don't find it heavy at all but I am used to swinging a 500mm lens lately) and I will post more after I give it some more testing with it on my D200.

http://www.flyphotoguy.com/photos/476437053_HiWb6-S.jpg

After using Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro, I have bought 180mm for more working distance between me and the object. This is a top quality lens with inner focus, Hypersonic motor and sigma EX finish. I recommend everyone who want a real macro lens!

Similar to other reviewers,I too had a 105mm Sigma lens prior to purchasing the Sigma 180mm-and I also wanted more distance from the insects I was photographing.After having been stung by wasps when photographing them,I decided the added expense of longer focal length was necessary.Using a Nikon D-80 and occasionally a Sigma ringlight flash,I was able to obtain outstanding shots with the recommended F/32 setting.Of course,contrary to some reviewers negative comments using AF mode,all my photos were in MANUAL,which is what is prescribed for macro usage.Quality,crisp clear photos,were obtained with this competitive lens.......

I purchased this lens because I wanted more distance when taking macro photos. As I do with all new lenses I purchase, I calibrate the AF (I have a Nikon D300 with AF Fine Tuning capability). What I found is that the AF on this lens has too much back lash to consistently focus. I took 5 pictures of a static object using a cable release and the camera mounted on a tripod. Before each picture was taken, I would rotate the focus ring either clockwise or counter clockwise. The results were 2 pictures focused behind the object, 2 focused in front and only one focused on the object. The object I was focusing on was high contrast and the lighting was midday sun so that the cameras AF had adequate parameters to operate properly. Maybe I got a bad example of this lens, but the poor AF repeatability was not acceptable. I returned the lens. I was very impressed with how sharp the lens took pictures, but not impressed with the amount of hysterisis in the AF mechanism. As for the returning of the lens to Amazon.com, the process is very simple and easy. I am impressed with their customer service. Too bad that Nikon doesn't have a more affordable long reach macro lens, also Nikon could learn a few things about tripod collar mounts from Sigma. The tripod collar was beautifully engineered.