Tests and review of the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro Canon lens
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Lens Review
The Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is a large-aperture macro-telephoto lens that integrates Sigma’s Optical Stabilizer (OS) system.
This 2010 successor to the APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM, which came on the market in October 2004, incorporates the latest innovations in optics technology.
Sigma designed a floating focusing system two moving lens element groups to enhance the optical quality down to macro 1:1. Three low-dispersion glass elements were also used to try and correct chromatic aberrations. The OS letters in the name stand for "Optical Stabilization" and help you keeping you from moving when shooting in low light.
And, even if this design is quite heavy and expensive, it performs nicely:
Comparison
As we have not yet tested the Canon and Nikon 150mm, we will here compare the Sigma 150mm with a Canon 100mm instead. Both lenses are generally used for portrait, macro, and sports photography.
Sigma APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Canon vs Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM mounted on a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III body:
- Resolution: with a score of 57lp/mm, both lenses are very good. The field map for the two lenses are rigorously identical and display very good sharpness across the entire field. Both attain their best performances at f/5.6. Again, very good lenses.
- No noticeable problems with distorsion and transmission. Note that any real distortion would be surprising - even at an aperture of 2.8, the distortion for this type of lens is always quite low.
- No problems in term of chromatic aberrations.
- Vignetting: Very strong at f/2.8 for the Sigma and significant for the Canon for the same aperture.
Technically, both lenses have both the same good and bad qualities, so users will need to find other criteria to use for choosing between them - specifically, users should refer to the manufacturers’ specifications (included in their DxOMark profiles), paying particular attention to price, weight, number of glass elements, and of course the focal length.
The Sigma, at 1099USD, is twice as expensive as Canon (536USD), and it is also twice as heavy (1179g vs. Canon’s 600g).
Several factors explain these differences: first of all, the Sigma lens contains 19 glass elements compared to the Canon’s 12; second, the Sigma’s mechanics are heavier, and it has a tripod stand; and third, although they are the same length (79mm), the Sigma has a much larger diameter (72mm vs. the Canon’s 58mm).
Conclusion
Taking into consideration this analysis, our advice is - if you do not absolutely require a 150mm lens, you should opt for the Canon 100mm. You will get the same quality at a much better price, without the inconvenience of greater weight and bulkiness.
Comments
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Added by Lenscracker |
July 16, 2011
follow up
Received the replacement Sigma 150mm EX DG OS HSM APO last week. This lens seems to be very sharp at f2.8. I have my own routine for testing new lenses and this one passed easily. The lens is a fine replacement for Sigma's original 150mm f2.8.
With my 5D2 I can hand hold the lens to 1/25th second in flourescent lighting that requires F2.8 at ISO 3200 with -1 stop exposure adjustment. I do not know the lux value of that setting. I think that is EV -1. I do not think the OS is really good for 4 stops as advertised, but it is good for 2 stops for sure under these lighting conditions. That puts it on par with my Canon 300mm f4 L IS lens. I have no scientific evidence, but that's what it seems like to me. The auto focus with my 5D2 is a little quirky under the very dim conditions described above. By that I mean that it I can not always use the center af point alone. I have not tried this same test with my 7D, which has a better autofocus system than the 5D2. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
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Added by dosdan |
August 04, 2011
Re: follow upQuote: <div id="linkdxomark"> With my 5D2 I can hand hold the lens to 1/25th second in flourescent lighting that requires F2.8 at ISO 3200 with -1 stop exposure adjustment. 1/25s, f/2.8, ISO3200 = 2.6 LV If you have to use -1 EVcomp in camera to get the exposure you want, that means that you are getting the camera to expose shorter (considering just the variation of shutter speed) than its metering wants too, and that otherwise the camera would treat it as a 1.6 LV exposure. If instead you apply -1 EV in post processing in your raw processor and no EVcomp in camera, that means that you think that the 2.6 LV exposure that the camera chose is too long and, in your opinion, the metering should have treated the scene as a 3.6 LV exposure. A Light Value calculator can be found here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photography-articles/88197-excel-2003-lv-light-value-calculator.html Dan. Reply |
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Added by Lenscracker |
July 06, 2011
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO
I received mine by UPS on June 29th. I sent it back to the distributor on July 1st. The OS was not functional and the resolution was horrible. I did ask for a replacement rather than my money back. My fingers are crossed. I really want a macro lens of this focal length, or longer, that has image stabilization and is somewhat weather sealed. Sigma's old 150mm is the lens I used most often with my Canon 5D and 7D cameras. I never used the lens indoors. It was always outside in the elements, so I had to send it in to get dust removed. Now, I am wishing I had kept that lens. Instead, I am hoping that the new model will live up to the quality of the old one.
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Added by koleh77 |
July 06, 2012
Re: Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO
Sigma produces very good lenses,
but quality control is really bad, only 3rd lense was without focus issues(I have 50/1.4) ------------------------------------------------------ http://photo-wed.blogspot.com/ Reply |
Further readings for the Tests and review of the Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro Canon lens
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