canon 100 vs sigma 150

i'm looking into macro lenses as i've always wanted to get into that and take photos of my reef tank and bugs and stuff. i know the canon 100mm is the overwhelming choice for macro photogs on this forum, but for a similar price, the Sigma 150mm seems like a great lens. I just wanted to ask and see if someone could inform me of the differences between the two and the advantages/disadvantag​es of using one or the other...??

i guess with the sigma, i would be able to have more distance between me and the subject (maybe too much distance?), and moving closer would increase the magnification(?) a lot of people use the kenko tubes with the canon, which i understand increases magnification. are they necessary on the longer sigma? is a 100mm with tubes about equal to a 150mm?

again, any advantages/disadvantag​es of using one or the other? why would you choose one over the other?

thanks,
Dan

The only advantages of the longer lens are greater minimun focus distance ( ie the distance at which you get 1:1 magnification) and a slightly better bokeh.
Disadvantages are a slightler lower max resolution, and heavier handling characteristics making it harder to handhold. I would only get the longer lens if one it's advantages is a must have.

Brian V.

ok, thanks for the response. it helps a bit.

You can trust anything LordV tells ya about macro! I took his advice and got the Canon 100 and could not be any happier.

I do not agree. I sold my Canon 100 macro 1 day after getting the Sigma 150 macro. Sigma comes with hood and collar. IF - it does not change in length, front does not rotate. Sigma is sharper. Sigma has faster AF at normal distances. Sigma has so much focus past infinity that it still does infinity with a 12mm tube attached. Who's hand holding? Weight is very relative really. I also had the Sigma 180 macro and sold it while keeping the 150.

How about the Sigma 105mm macro?

The Sigma 150 does seem to be a bit (just a bit) sharper compared to the Canon 100:

Sigma Blurr Index

Canon Blurr Index

As for "Who's hand holding", well a lot of people do, including me, but heck a lot of people don't as well.

-Roy

The Sigma 150mm and Canon 100mm both have the same native (1:1) maximum magnification, though at different distances (the 150mm will let you achieve 1:1 from a greater distance away from your subject than the 100mm). Both are very sharp lenses.

One thing to consider is that handholding 150mm is a little more difficult than handholding 100mm due to the longer focal length, and that is not made easier by the heavier weight of the Sigma 150mm as well. On the other hand, working distance is valuable for many insects, though much of your success will also depend on your stalking skills.

Another thing to consider is the DOF compression factor; while the 150mm will deliver better bokeh, that will come at the price of exacerbating the parts of your subject that are outside of the focal plane. You may have to stop down to achieve the best focus plane, and combined with the longer focal length and necessarily faster shutter speed, light becomes an issue if you do not have a flash.

I settled on a Sigma 150mm because it was available for an excellent price, though I wouldn't hesitate to use either lens.