Macro lens

If this is the one - SIGMA AF 150 mm / 2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro, it is very good lens, not only for macro. There is a new model coming out with optical stabilization, but for macro work, stabilization doesn't help much. If you get a good price for the used one 500-600 USD, it is a good deal.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/viktor_viktor/
 
Excellent lens, been using mine for several years on 5D, 40D, 1D3 and now 5Dmk2 and has produced many photos sold for stock.

It's heavy but then an f2.8 150mm is probably bound to be. Not the fastest at auto-focussing (although faster than the Sigma 105mm) but then much macro is manual. Colours not quite as good as Canon L but nothing that photoshop or Lightroom can't sort out.

If it died I'd probably get the OS version next time (if it was out)...

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NiC Hamilton
 
The Sigma 150 is a good choice if you don't want to spend for the Canon 180. I bought the Sigma 180 before the 150 came out. It's big, heavy and AF is slow but the colors and sharpness I get with it are amazing. Most of my macro work is MF so the Canon for twice the price made no sense. I have shot with someone who has the Canon 180 and at the end of the day you couldn't say one was better than the other. Some of my shots with the Sigma looked a little sharper than the Canon but it well could have been technique.

I really enjoy the longer working distance of the Sigma 180 and the 150 won't be that much shorter. It's often what has allowed me to get a shot with a bashful subject. I do have the Sigma 2x converter and have used the combo many times.

The Sigma is built like a tank so you will want a good solid tripod to work from. The Sigma 150 is a little lighter and at f2.8 will allow you more opportunities for hand held shots.

Like any lens I would buy, put it through it's paces as soon as you get it to make sure you have a good copy. I've been lucky but have friends that have had to send a couple back before getting a good copy.

Good luck with your decision and enjoy your new lens!
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Dennis Ernst
 
All macro lenses tend to be exceptionally sharp, so you won't have reason to complain about any of them.

Although I did not believe the Canon IS on the 100mmL would help much, for close focusing and handheld, its amazing. I'm not a patient person who can spend hours setting up a shot, I walk up to a bug, hold the camera close, and fire off two or three shots. Only occasionally do I bother with a flash.

The IS was heaven sent for those like me.

Canon 100mm L

Taken in the morning last fall when I went out to pick raspberries. He was there every morning for several weeks, I did not want to disturb him, so I just snapped a handheld shot.



On this one, I took the leaf and all into my studio and shot from a tripod with fluorescent lighting from top and sides. Nothing special. The camera was tethered to my PC using live view, so I could adjust focus and aperture just the way I liked it.

 
Nice shots .
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1st it's a hobby
7D gripped XTI gripped
Canon - efs 10-22 , 17-55 , ef 18-55 IS
EF 28-90 , 28 @ 2.8 , 50 @1.8 , 28-135 IS
L's 35-350 , 70-200 MK II IS
Quantaray lens 70-300 macro
Sigma 135-400
2X III , life size converter
KSM filters for all
kenko auto tubes , EF 25
 

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