Sigma 70 2.8 macro

[24Peter]

So with all the product shots I've been doing I've been wanting a good macro lens. I've also been a little disillusioned with my 85 1.8 due to extreme CA and lack of contrast at wider apertures. So I sold the 85 1.8 and am testing out a Sigma 70 2.8 macro. In terms of macro, the working distance on the Sigma isn't great. But I also wanted a lens for portraits to replace the 85 and the Canon 100 2.8 macro, while a really nice lens, has lousy bokeh. I also wanted something wider than 100mm.

The Sigma does have some mild AF issues on my 40D. But most of the time it's fine and, man, is it sharp wide open with great contrast. These are full size images, all straight out of the camera @ 2.8

http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/uploads/postuploads2/IMG_2652.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/uploads/postuploads2/IMG_2686.JPG

http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/uploads/postuploads2/IMG_2705.JPG

[24Peter]

Couldn't resist doing an edit on that last shot (luv the look of the new beemers :) )

http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/uploads/postuploads2/large/IMG_2705.jpg

full size:
http://photos.imageevent.com/24peter/uploads/postuploads2/IMG_2705.jpg

[faisal]

Mild AF issues...I think Sigma macros are meant to be Manual focussed.... ;)

When I saw the heading, I was going to tell you to buy the Sigma 105mm as it's priced almost the same but read what you wanted....

The MFD must suck...just like my 50mm....no bug shots for you... :p

I wonder how Sigma manages to get it's Macro lens to be so sharp wide open....and till now I haven't heard of anyone getting a bad copy....

[Csae]

Lookin sharp, but i noticed #1 & #3 both have some strong CA

[Nickcanada]

Lookin sharp, but i noticed #1 & #3 both have some strong CA

Yeah, I was going to say that too. Peter do you think it's better then the 85mm 1.8?

[michaelb]

Peter, maybe you should check out the Sigma 105. Here's a test I did today vs my 100 f/2 (which has killer bokeh).

The 100 f/2 has better bokeh (smoother with rounder highlights), but the Sigma is actually quite good IMO. The only negative about the Sigma for me is that it doesn't focus as quickly.

Please excuse the lame shots. These are all taken with the 40D except for the last two.


Canon 100 f/2 @ f/2.8...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550148441_Sr58u-L.jpg

Sigma 105 f/2.8 @ f/2.8...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550148447_WU7Za-L.jpg




Here's two more....

Canon 100 f/2 @ f/2.8....
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550149827_2F4pS-L.jpg

Sigma 105 f/2.8 @ f/2.8...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550149823_Fatz5-L.jpg


Here's another with the Sigma wide open...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550148437_4Da5w-XL.jpg


Siggy again, this time at f/4....(5D)....
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/492174905_nTt5y-L.jpg


One more from the Siggy, f/4 again...(5D)...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/550147699_Yh8vw-XL.jpg

[24Peter]

Yeah, I was going to say that too. Peter do you think it's better then the 85mm 1.8?

I saw that too but it seems to be much more limited than it was on my 85 1.8. I really only see it on the wheels of the BMW shot. And - even at f 2.8 - the 85 1.8 still has weaker contrast and isn't as sharp as the Sigma.

[24Peter]

Peter, maybe you should check out the Sigma 105. Here's a test I did today vs my 100 f/2 (which has killer bokeh).



I owned the Sigma 105 for a while. Definitely a nice lens, though my copy was not as sharp as the 70 wide open. Re: the Canon 100 f2, I've always liked your pics with that lens. I'm leaning towards keeping the Sigma and I'm thinking of picking up a 100/2 as well. I'm trying to sell my 135 SF which will help finance it.

[michaelb]

I owned the Sigma 105 for a while. Definitely a nice lens, though my copy was not as sharp as the 70 wide open. Re: the Canon 100 f2, I've always liked your pics with that lens. I'm leaning towards keeping the Sigma and I'm thinking of picking up a 100/2 as well. I'm trying to sell my 135 SF which will help finance it.

You should like the 100 f/2. It can also suffer from CA like the 85 1.8 and the MFD isn't great, but its a very nice lens. I like it better than the 85 1.8 for some reason.



The is at f/2, ISO 800 on the 40D...
http://brownphotography.smugmug.com/photos/474851076_JAjgC-L.jpg