performance Sigma 150mm f/2.8 macro as tele?

[Lenny_D]

I'm considering to buy the Sigma 150mm macro lense. The general comments on its macro performance seem very encouraging (I don't have doubts on that part).
I am wondering how it performs as a tele lense?
How does it compare to the Canon 200mm f/2.8 L?
How does it compare to the zooms near 150mm? (e.g. the 70-200 F/4L?).
Any advice or experience is appreciated very much!

Lenny

[Lenny_D]

Does anybody on this forum own this lens?
I would think that a combination of a macro lense and moderate telelens with a diafgram down to 2.8 would even give the possibility to using it as a "local wildlife tele" with only a 1.4x TC and still an f = 4. On a 20D this would mean an "effective" (don't get me wrong I know about the crop factor) focal distance of 150x1.4x1.6= 336 mm with probably still good performance. Could be very interesting! The other advantage is it's compact size, only 137 mm long.
Any opinions on these thoughts?

Lenny

[mbze430]

Can't say much on the Sigma, since I don't own any. However I do use my 180mm f/3.5L for Tele work, when I set it to 1.5m to Infinity focusing, and it is fast. If the Sigma has a way to limit the travel of the focus system, you should be able to use it for Telephoto work.

[Lenny_D]

Hi mbze430,

Good to hear. I am almost sure that the Sigma has the same possibility (to limit the zoom range from 1.5m to infinity).
Do you have an idea how the quality (sharpness and contrast, color) of the Canon 180mm macro compares to the non-macro Canon primes or zooms in the tele range near 180mm? In general I like primes because of their superb image quality. Images from primes look so nice.... bright, colorful, a high "pop" factor as you wish. I love my 50mm f/1.4. I'm not sure whether high sharpness and image quality for macro-work also implies high quality/sharpness for telework.
Before I bought my 20D, I did a lot of macro work with my Canon G3 so I do want to buy a dedicated macro lens. A long focal length macro lens seems attractive for its additional tele capabilities (save me from buying a 200mm prime, my budget has its limitations) and the larger working distance in macrowork. The only macro drawback might be the shorter DOF due the long focal length. I suppose this is a significant difference compared to the G3..... Any thought on this?

Lenny

[CyberDyneSystems]

Lenny,. this lens has certainly peeked my interest as well,..

Bothe Sigma's 105mm and 180mm have allways been priased as superior optics, fantastic image quality and fine lenses all around,. with the one eception of being slow to focus for the non HSM 105mm.
This new 150mm has a lot to offer being faster tha the 180mm's which will be an advantage when used as a tele,. and it has the HASM focus motor.

Seems to me it would be right in there between the Canon 135mm f/2.8 Soft focus and the 200mm you mention.

Let us know how you make out/what you find out.