Sigma 180 OS macro

I have been using this lens for a few days now and I am impressed. I also own the Sigma 150 OS macro lens and I thought I would never look for a better macro lens in so many ways. Until now. I'll keep the 180 and sell my 150. Yes, it is heavy and expensive. Yes, I will tell all my students to get a used Sigma 150 (non-OS) lens as a great bang for the buck macro lens. Fit and finish on the 180 OS is just like the 150 OS - nice. Comes with a nice long hood, I am not using the supplied extension hood. The OS on the 150 is about 2 stops or less. What I have found and also read in reviews. Any help is good I guess. The OS on the 180 is 4 stops. Really. I have been doing some nice shots from a monopod down to 1/8 using my 7D. Side by side test of the 150/180 also gives me this amazing result. Sharpness, color looks to be about the same at a glance. A tripod test leaving OS on in mode 1 (yes, it works fine on a tripod in mode 1) with remote, etc. at about 1:1 shows the 180 to be sharper. Sharpness is not the end all I agree. And, I seldom use AF in macro work. The AF on the 180 is FAST, for those who are interested. Another factor that goes into my decision to keep the 180 and not the 150 (aside form the increased working distance and improved perspective, IMO) is the fact that my best macro lens is the Leica R 100/2.8 APO. 100 and 180 make a nicer combo. Gene

Thanks for the report!
How does the OS work when in MFD? I know Canon 100L gives 4 stops too but only 2 stops in MFD.
I have the 100 non-L and love it! Great IQ and low price.

The Sigma 180 OS gives 4 stops of help at 1:1 and at infinity. I had a Canon 100 macro and a Canon 100 IS as well. Sold them. Did you realize that at 1:1 it is no longer a 100mm lens but closer to something like 65? I have also owned the Leica 60 macro, Tamron 60 macro, a number of 50mm macro lenses. IMO, for what I do and look for, amything less than 100mm is not right. Now, if I was doing my stamp collection in the studio, that might be different. Ask me more. Updated my equipment list (about time!) Gene

We need pictures....... Was thinking of getting one of these

Went out side on this dreary day and tried my Sigma 1.4x TC = excellent results. Also tired my non-reporting Vivitar 2x TC - wide open very good, excellent stopped down one or 2 stops. Gene

Noticed this is $200 or so more than the Canon 180mm, but the Canon doesn't have IS. Is this lens that much better?

Yes indeed.

Post pics, we wanna see!

mikeinctown wrote in post #15842556
Noticed this is $200 or so more than the Canon 180mm, but the Canon doesn't have IS. Is this lens that much better?

The Canon is also f3.5 versus the Sigma's f2.8.

There is a thread for this lens over in the lens sample section, but no samples posted since January 2012.


https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=5570​82&page=11


Edit: I just realised that the link is for the f3.5, so probably not appropriate.

gasrock the 180 f/2.8 OS is better lens compared to the 150 f/2.8 OS ?

Yes. Did you read all of this thread? Maybe I was not clear. Gene

gasrocks wrote in post #15844526
Yes. Did you read all of this thread? Maybe I was not clear. Gene

sorry been a long day here just re-read your posts

would also appreciate to see pictures!

Gasrocks - now that time has passed from the beginning of this thread - do you have any additional insights? are you still pleased? because of the size - do you find yourself leaving the lens at home or taking the almst 2 kg with you?