Sigma 180mm f2.8 Macro Alpha Review

It's too early for me to do a full review on this lens since I just received it, but I can share my general impressions thus far.

Yes, the lens in heavy (about 3 lbs I believe). I should mainly on tripod so it doesn't bother me, but even handheld it doesn't bother me. Focusing is quite and smooth, and I would say even reasonably quick. Where I'm struggling is comparing it to my old Canon 100mm Macro and the quality from that lens. I don't think it's there, but I'm also very rusty in the macro arena right now.

Here's one picture. The rest are on my blog. If you have any tests or something about this lens you would like me to try and answer, please let me know.

Thanks so far. Let us know your impressions as you use it more. It will probably take a little getting used to a 180mm compared to a 100mm.

I will. Going to try some 1:1 shots this week if the weather cooperates.

According to the OP's blog (bad link OP, btw), s/he has returned this lens due to unhappiness with the performance - not as detailed as the Canons the OP regularly uses.

Too bad, wonder if it truly is "not as good", a case of "bad copy" (a.k.a. Sigma lottery), or rusty technique on the part of the OP?

Any other reviews out there yet?

shinksma

shinksma wrote in post #14872023
According to the OP's blog (bad link OP, btw), s/he has returned this lens due to unhappiness with the performance - not as detailed as the Canons the OP regularly uses.

Too bad, wonder if it truly is "not as good", a case of "bad copy" (a.k.a. Sigma lottery), or rusty technique on the part of the OP?

Any other reviews out there yet?

shinksma

Thanks for letting me know about my signature link. I fixed that. I posted some additional comments here.

I truly don't know if it was not as good, bad copy, or my rusty techniques. I made the comment in the above post about how my deciding factor was with the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. When I couldn't see the scales on the wings, which I was used to seeing, I decided to just return the lens while I could. I couldn't justify the $300+ more that the lens costs if I were to get the Canon 180 or the Canon 100 IS.

If I were thinking about buying this lens again, I would just wait for other reviews and then decide since there are only a couple of reviews out there (and mine wasn't an expert technical review). It doesn't appear the stock is limited, and for $1700, I would want to feel confident in the capabilities of the lens.