BUGMOS--Sigma 150mm f2.8 Macro OS

[advaitin]

I posted in another thread, but it wasn't a picture sample thread, so I hope I'm permitted to start one for the new Sigma. I haven't seen it nicknamed, but if the previous was Bugma, then this one should be Bugmos.

The OS is OK but not on a par with Canon's best IS, It is a little clunky in AF on the Canon 7D, but image quality is good.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6036989350_d025fd57fc_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036989350/)
IMG_4509 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036989350/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

The very first image, I was surprised how easy it was to get good alignment with the grid in the 7D turned on. Here's a crop with a little contrast added to bring out the fabric of the window shade. Other than that, no processing.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6036431435_7071b7067b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036431435/)
IMG_4509b (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036431435/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6036429401_d8f4eeb9e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036429401/)
IMG_4519 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036429401/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

Oleander flower

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6036981258_f03f4f93fe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036981258/)
IMG_4534a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036981258/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

Beach sunflower with small bee.
and below
One of the shots my wife hates me taking.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6036973766_ce38c88cc6_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036973766/)
IMG_4551 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036973766/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

And the mandatory crop showing the rather big blood vessel in her eye. No processing in any of this and all higher ISO.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6036416453_8b5074ac14_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036416453/)
IMG_4551b (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/6036416453/) by C L Griffin/Advaitin (http://www.flickr.com/people/clgriffin/), on Flickr

[advaitin]

Bumping, hoping for comment. With Canon 1D4 and 2x Sigma Pro TC:

[elogical]

looking good, thanks for sharing! I love my 150mm sigma and the OS would be a nice addition. If I was buying it today I'd get the OS for sure but I can't really justify trading up the one I have.

Has anyone seen comparisons with the non-stabilized version? Is this just as sharp?

[advaitin]

I have also posted a set of comparison photos using the Bugmos and both Sigma and Canon teleconverters with six Canon DSLRs here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/clgriffin/sets/72157627295026325/

[ecka]

Thanks for the samples, advaitin. However, images shot with a crop body at ISO 1000+ are not really telling the whole story about the lens optical quality. Hope to see some more images at ISO 100-400. More comments about the OS and weight balance are welcome. I've heard that Sigma has been using Nikon's Vibration Correction technology (illegally?). Is it much worse than Canon IS? Thanks again ;)

[Mjolnir]

I just picked up mine this afternoon. Cant wait to take it out.

So far as i can tell now (taking a test shot or two of the doorhandles in my office..) the OS is solid, and the build quality excellent.

The only thing.... Those lenshoods... Really? A doubling in lenght??

[advaitin]

I just picked up mine this afternoon. Cant wait to take it out.

So far as i can tell now (taking a test shot or two of the doorhandles in my office..) the OS is solid, and the build quality excellent.

The only thing.... Those lenshoods... Really? A doubling in lenght??

The extension is for use with crop cameras. A bit more guarantee of no flare.

[InsaneO]

Can someone check this please?
My lens OS makes this noise compared to other Sigma OS lenses I have.
Others make this noise that sounds like Shhhh-Shhhh during engage disengage while 150mm OS makes something like Grrrrr-Grrrrr.
Plus compared to 70-200mm OS it is much blurrier.
I sent to Sigma and after 2 weeks of keeping it they sent it back a said nothing is wrong.
How can prime be worst than zoom?

TIA.

http://www.powersandpowers.com/pictures/150%20after%20repair-5d2.jpg

[advaitin]

How many samples did you shoot? Were both shot exactly the same--for instance, on tripod with cable release and/or mirror lockup to get the base resolution before seeing what difference the OS makes.

A grinding noise is not so good, although I have had Sigmas that made funny noises when focusing, you have to be certain that the OS has reached stabilization before you push the button. If you are within the time of being able to return it to where you bought it, maybe you should ask for a replacement.

To get more attention, you might want to start a new thread or go to the archive thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=934598

[InsaneO]

Does not make any difference how I shot sample they are all the same. I shot with OS on and off all the same. I moved lenses to 7D, all the same. I have send it to Sigma and they found no problems but in my experience their tech is dumber than my shoe so I asked them to send it to Japan or replace it.
This is a third time I am doing this. First one was 120-300mm mk1 many years ago. After few exchanges I insisted it would be sent to Japan. It came back gorgeous. Last year same thing with 50-500mm OS and it also came back taking pictures so sharp that I use wide open all the time. Literally razor sharp images. So now I want them to send it to Japan to get it right.
I bought 6 Sigma lenses last 2 years and 4 of them are perfect. 5th 50-500mm OS they made it perfect. So let's see what happens with this one. According to one of their tech even when OS is not working it still keeps element in position by force. So maybe positioning is wrong.

[InsaneO]

Sigma replaced the lens. Just as sharp as 70-200mm at 150mm now. OS noise is gone. OS sounds like it supposed to be, like my other lenses. Happy now.

[RaZe42]

I just got my 150mm OS yesterday, and it is making quite a loud noise when activating/deactivating the OS. The 100L I owned before was much quieter, and I don't recall the 150mm OS I tried in the store to have that noise.

Here's a video sample: http://youtu.be/p8ct04nc8HQ of me using the manual switch to activate and deactivate the OS.

So it that normal, or should I be worried? InsaneO, is that similar to the sound your faulty lens made?

[advaitin]

It may be one of the buggy copies. Either return it or send it off for warranty repair if it is too noisy.

[RaZe42]

Advaitin I take it your BugmOS doesn't make such noises when the OS spins up/down?

[advaitin]

No noise while it focuses. On the other hand, handheld that is, I can hear the engaging and disengaging of the OS, but it is not obtrusive, certainly not as I heard on your sound file. And once focus is achieved and I'm steady enough that the focus is not lost the OS settles down as well. It is in line with other Sigmas I have and Sigmas, in general, even with HSM, are noisier than Canons.

Here's what I shot as a test this morning.