[REVIEW—SIGMA 105mm f2.8 EX macro lens]
Price: $700
A fine lens
The low-down: This 105mm fast macro lens is suitable for either full frame or APS sensor cameras and it is available in mounts for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony and Four Thirds cameras. Construction is rugged with Sigma’s signature attractive matte finish. Macro focus is down to 1:1 at the maximum lens extension. For this lens Sigma use the sliding barrel clutch mechanism to change from manual to auto focus and also a small selector switch – it is not obvious why there are two selectors. To reduce focus hunting the lens can be locked to a “limit” position. It comes with a screw-in lens hood. While it is called a macro lens it is also a medium telephoto particularly suited to portraiture. On an APS-C sensor camera the focal length is equivalent to approximately 150mm.
Like: Optically this is an excellent lens with outstanding sharpness, contrast and colour fidelity. Sharpness is consistent across the entire image with no fall-off in the edges and corners and is also consistent at all focus points.
Dislike: There is extreme focus hunting with low contrast subjects and even with ordinary contrast the lens can take its time finding a sharp focus. Given the fast aperture (f2.8) this inability to focus quickly is inexplicable. When we compared the Canon 100mm macro on the same camera body as the Sigma the difference in focus speed was startling.
Verdict: This is a fine lens and for the price is excellent value for money. Optically it is as good as it gets and manually focussed there is nothing to complain about. But the auto focus issue is baffling. Our test cameras were two Canons – a 7D and a 5D MkII. Perhaps the focus performance would be different on another make of body. We can only suggest that you take your camera body to the shop and try it for yourself.
Posted by terry at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)



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