Sigma 150 F2.8 EX Macro or Canon 100 F2.8 Macro?

[lordjim]

I have decided to go with extension tubes for the time being but I am thinking about my next purchase and I am still hesitating between a Sigma 150 EX or a Canon 100 macro.

The prices are relatively similar considering that the Sigma 150 EX comes with a lens hood, a tripod mount ring and 7 years manufacturer warranty in Canada whereas the Canon 100 does not.

I understand that the Sigma 150 will give me extra working distance compared to the Canon 100 but ...

I am wondering whether the extra working distance could also limit my options. Is there something like a too long working distance in macro photography?

I am thinking that it will be more difficult to go beyond 1:1 with the 150 as extension tubes and converters will have a more limited impact due to the longer focal length compared to the 100mm.

Also, as I am a beginner in macro, I am wondering whether it will more difficult to get really sharp images with a 150mm compared to a 100mm.

Finally, I have never read anything about the non macro use of the Sigma 150 whereas the 100 seems to be great as a non macro lens as well. I have already 100mm covered with my 70-200 and my 100-400 but not at F2.8.

I would welcome your thoughts on the above.

Thank you.

[Scottes]

I have one of the older Sigma 105mm Macro lenses and I've always been very happy with it. It's AF can be slow and will sometimes hunt, but I think that's true of most macro lenses. The build quality is excellent, the optics are excellent.

As to length, I think it's possible to have too close a working distance (happens all the time to me) but I'm not so sure that it's possible - or at least much less likely - to have too long of a working distance with a macro lens. I would love the 150mm over the 105. Absolutely.

I am a Canon L-coholic and I'd say that given your choise I'd take the Sigma 150 over the Canon 100. The quality is close enough, and the extra working distance is a huge advantage.

Sharpness depended more on the glass than focal length. I think it would be impossible to tell the difference between the 2 Sigma lenses. I think it would be difficult to tell the difference between the Canon and Sigma but some people could.

The 150mm with tubes will be MUCH better than the 100 with tubes. Since tubes shorten the close-focus distance the added working distance of the 150mm would be very nice.

Any macro lens is usually very good when used in a non-macro style. The optics are usually very good or great, and the aperture is usually fairly wide. But the macro lenses don't tend to have fast AF and sometimes the AF will hunt because of this.

[GyRob]

my next lens after my 400mm will be the Sigma 150mm many have said it gives more room to work with and is tack sharp.
Rob.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Take a look here:

http://pbase.com/cameras/sigma/150_28_ex_dg_macro_hsm

All photos taken with the Sigma 150mm

[Rob612]

I got the Sigma a few days ago. Not yet heavily tested, but the first shots made into the house are VERY interesting.

[reemas]

rob612, do you find your macro hunts and focuses slowly for indoor shots?

and outdoors, mine doesn't hunt as much but the focus ring doesnt rotate as fast as my canon 17-85 usm ring.

any comparision to other focus rings, or am i just unlucky?

[caisg88]

Hello:
I am new here. I just got a sigma 105mm EX (not DG) from Ebay. I try it on my EOS 10D, but it give me Err 99 msg? Any one have any ideal? On camera manual it says remove and re-install the battery, but it doesn't help.
Thanks
This lense works on my EOS 630 cameara, both Aut and manual focus. but not on 10D.
The lense make in 2002.
caisg88:(

[Jon]

lordjim - the extra working distance would only be a problem if you habitually shoot in tight spaces. One person here's an archaeologist, so needs the 50 mm f/2.5 for working in the trenches (literally). Other people, who usually work on copy stands indoors, also prefer the shorter lens. But if you're shooting outdoors being able to stay further away from a mobile target is a real plus.

caisg88 - Canon never licensed (or revealed) the inner workings of their EF lenses, so third-party vendors have had to reverse-engineer the lens mounts and workings. This means that newer EOS cameras may not function correctly with those third-party lenses since they're not always perfect clones. A number of Sigma's lenses have had this problem, and Sigma has developed an upgraded chip for some of them. You might want to contact Sigma and see if they have an upgrade for your lens.