Sigma 150mm Macro lens 2.8

[tspore]

Sigma has recently announced a number of new lenses please pre-order below and support our site. We will get as much info up as possible.

Specifications:
Lens Construction: 16 Elements in 12 Groups
number of Diaphragm Blades: 9
Minimum Aperture: F22
Minimum Focusing Distance: 15 Inches
Maximum Magnification 1:1
Filter Size: 72mm
Dimensions 3.1 x 5.4"
Weight 31.6 oz.

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4187

[tealblue]

I can't find this lens any place. Is it auto focus? and who has it for sale? Thanks for any help!!

[tspore]

It is auto focus. But it isn't released yet to the market. It should be soon. the only place I have seen it listed is from Amazon.

[Joergen Christensen]

I can't find this lens any place. Is it auto focus? and who has it for sale? Thanks for any help!!
This lens has not been released yet for four-thirds mount. I suppose end of September is the release date. It should be autofocus. I have seen it here:
http://www.top-foto.de/index.php?artnum=SIGAF150DGMACO
Please note it is already available for other mounts....
The new Sigma lenses have not yet been received by the distributer in Denmark. Actually I asked just today. I am also waiting...:smile:
BR Jørgen

[tealblue]

Thank you very much for your post!!! I hope you will let us all know when it is released. Thanks again TealBlue.

[davidfung]

I was recently informed by sigma that this lens has been available for about a month (so around 13.09.06). I hope to get one soon!

[phegi]

Tomorrow this lens will be delivered at my house. I waited a long time for this! I live in The Netherlands and bought the lens at http://www.cameranu.nl/.

[jdc_cool]

I received my Sigma APO Macro 150mm f2.8 lens four days ago. First impressions of lens strikes you, that this is a really nicely constructed piece of glass. AF to manual switching is rather smooth. One has to be aware to switch over to manual in the camera also. Lens is only about 31oz. in weight making it comfortable to do handheld shootng. However it does come with a tripod mounting bracket. There is also a lens hood that comes with it. Lens HSM enables a quiet and smooth operation when autofocusng. This lens has a Focus Limiter switch which works in three ranges according to the desired camera distance. When the Limiter is set at Full Mode, the focus ring can operate between the minimum distance and infinity. At normal range, focusing is available between 0.52m/1.7 feet and infinity. At close range, focusing is available between minimum distance and 0.52m/1.7. Color rendition is pretty good in most cases, altought some of my images seem to have a slight yellow cast to them. Then again it might be just me getting familiar with lens. Lens AF does seem a tid bit slower then the 50-200. I've noticed also that once lens is autofocused on an object, there comes a small clicking sound inside lens. Now, of course this is a Macro lens and it does tend to hunt a lot.
The 150 works really great with the oly EC 14. The 4/3 focal length factor of 2x is really a plus for this lens.
With the longer focal lenght of lens, it makes image taking easier without distrubing scary birds and small critters. Thus allowing you to have more blurry bokeh. Color and contrast is really good. Lens is rather sharp focusing, However not as sharp as oly 50mm.
Here is a link to a detailed reveiw of lens:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_150_28/index.htm


Pros: Sharp, Nice looking and good constuction, Smooth AF to Manual switching. Very good prime lens for the money. HSM is quiet and smooth.
Cons: Lens tends to hunt a lot, but this is to be expected in a macro lens. Lens makes a small clicking sound when focusing on an object while depressing the camera shutter button.
Cost: New from Amazon....$599.99, yeah I know they just had a recent $39.00 price drop:(

Jpeg pic taken with Sigma 150 Macro f2.8EX DG.
http://jdcool.smugmug.com/photos/107575185-M-1.jpg

Jpeg pic taken with Sigma 150 Macro f2.8EX DG and oly EC 14, some cropping in CS2.
http://jdcool.smugmug.com/photos/107203340-M.jpg

Jpeg pic taken with Sigma 150 macro f2.8 EX DG and oly EC 14, some pp and cropping in CS2.
http://jdcool.smugmug.com/photos/107461931-M-1.jpg

jdcool,

e330; 14~54; 50 macro; 50~200; EC 14; EX 25; Sigma 150 macro.

[Alfredo]

My first impression of Sigma 150mm macro
http://www.telefonica.net/web2/javie...z/Sigma150.htm (http://www.telefonica.net/web2/javierdiazmenendez/Sigma150.htm)

Confirming Frontfocus:
http://www.telefonica.net/web2/rilonstrada/regla/

AF (HSM) but slowly than Zuiko D 50-200mm


Greetings

[mick_finn]

PROS:
- Excellent 1:1 macro with great working distance.
- Fast noiseless focus with HSM.
- Built like a tank with very nice finish.
- Internal focusing, no outside moving parts except the good and proper switches described in a earlier post above.
- Relatively compact for a f2.8 150mm lens. Imho, made even better by the 4/3 'crop factor'.
- Excellent object isolation and nice bokeh.
- Doubles nicely as a general tele photo lens.

CONS:
- Hunts a lot especially in low light. This can often be over come by prefocusing.
- Impossible to hand hold at 1:1 magnification, while it's doable with the 35mm macro.
- Requires a good tripod in many cases, but can also be used hand held, although not at high magnifications.

VERDICT:
This is a interesting, challenging and rewarding lens. One has to take it for what it is, a specialist lens. As a macro hunting is a bit of a problem, although it hunts fast.. :doh: It is also very nice (and fast at f2.8) as a general tele. But for everyday tele use the 50-200 will most likely be easier to use and more versatile. But used carefully it can give spectacular results! I'm only learning this lens and have already managed few shots that I couldn't have got with any other lens in my bag.

A few of my shoots with the lens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mick_finn/tags/sigma150mmf28exdgmacrofourthirds/

[heavy wind lover]

well my 150 was just sent back today to B&H after one days use as it has a serious problem with front focus on my E3,, Sigma USA in NY indicate they knew of no problems with the lens on any camera,, seems others are having the same issues,,

take a look at this thread for additional info:

http://www.fourthirdsphoto.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20809

B&H will replace with another lens and hoping it will work,, if not doubt I'll give Sigma a try to correct the issue,,

[heavy wind lover]

received my second Sigma 150mm 2.8 today and it also front focuses on my E3,, this lens focuses way slower than the first one I had and at times will just click click click and not even move the internal focusing system, yes the battery was just off the charger,,

I have three other Oly lens and they all focus fine on the E3,,

the first lens was with firmware 1.0 and the second lens was with firmware 1.1,,

have heard that some worked on the E3 but my two trys have certainly been failures for a $600 lens,, I'll call Sigma in NY tomorrow and "AGAIN" let them know they do have something wrong with the lens when attached to an E3,,

there will be no third attemp as this time I'll ask B&H for a refund and forget Sigma,,

Derry