Sigma EX 150mm F2.8 DG OS HSM APO Macro Review

"From www.sigmaphoto.com:

”This latest version of the Sigma Macro 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM boasts Optical Stablization (OS) which is critical to equipment sporting this focal range. Offering the latest optical design technology this lens remains a large aperture medium macro lens ideal for shooting the smaller things in our world that exists virtually unseen. A macro lens is one which will focus on a subject close enough to render it ”life-size” on the image plane in your camera. It also has a ”flat” field” front lens element so that it can shoot images of flat objects such as artwork or postage stamps and be tack sharp all the way across the image. With HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) a quiet & high-speed auto focus is ensured. It provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro. Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide optimum color correction and sharpness throughout the entire range and Super Multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. It has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp and high contrast images even at maximum apertures. The OS offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. It is also compatible with Sigma APO Tele Converters. Ideally suited for taking pictures of insects or other small creatures, but it is also the perfect focal length for facial portraits rendering the best perspective of the human face. This greater distance also allows the photographer more flexibility in lighting the subject with natural light reflectors. So don´t miss the tiny insects, flowers of the world or the details in a stamp or coin collection or a piece of embroidery all of which are seldom noticed but offer a fascinating world if you look closely enough. Capture them with the Sigma Macro 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro”

Designed for use with full frame digital SLR cameras. May also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors with a corresponding effective increase in focal length to about 225mm with most cameras

Offers Sigma’s OS System (Optical Stabilization) allowing handheld photography even in low-light situation

HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet & high-speed auto focus Focuses down to 1:1 magnification ratio at its closest working distance of 15 inches

A lens hood, tripod socket TS-21, front & rear lens caps and carrying case are included with the lens.”



From www.sigma-imaging-uk.com

”Macro Lens
150mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

Super compact and lightweight, large aperture telephoto lens with life-size macro capability.

Successor to the APO MACRO 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM, introduced to market in October 2004, this new OS design offers the latest optical technology. A floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions. This system compensates for astigmatic aberration and spherical aberration and provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.

SLD glass and Super Multi Layer Coating
Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. This lens has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp, high contrast images even at the maximum apertures.

Optical Stabiliser
Equipped with Sigma’s proprietary OS (Optical Stabiliser) function, this lens offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible.

F2.8 large aperture tele-macro lens
Tele macro lenses have a greater working distance. It is possible to enjoy Macro photography, even when you are far from subject. This enables you to capture the small animals and insects without disturbing them. Very narrow depth-of-field allows selective focusing and less distracting backgrounds. Large aperture of F2.8 is ideal for sports, action and indoor photography.

Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) with full time manual focus override
The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high speed autofocus as well as full-time manual focus capability.

Floating Focusing System produces excellent optical performance
A floating focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical system to different positions. This system compensates for astigmatic aberration and spherical aberration. Since focusing does not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use.

Rounded 9 blade aperture ring
This lens has a rounded 9 blade diaphragm creating a smooth blur to the out of focus areas of the image. It is also possible to use this lens with Sigma’s optional APO Tele Converters.

APO Tele-Converter EX (optional)
It is also possible to use this lens with Sigma 1.4x EX and 2x EX APO Tele-Converter. When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 210mm F4 AF tele-macro lens or a 300mm F5.6 MF tele-macro lens respectively.”



From www.sigma-photo.co.jp

”Large aperture telephoto macro lens incorporates Sigma´s original Optical Stabilizer function.

This large aperture telephoto macro lens incorporates Sigma’s original Optical Stabilizer function. SLD glass elements provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations. Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and a floating inner focusing system provides high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 macro. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high speed autofocus as well as full-time manual focusing capability. Attaching Sigma’s optional Tele Converters enables photographers to shoot large than 1:1 magnification.

Large aperture telephoto macro lens
This telephoto macro lens has a longer working distance than traditional macro lenses. It is perfect when distance between the subject and photographer is important such as when taking pictures of small animals or insects. The long focusing distance and narrow depth-of-field allows selective focusing and less distracting backgrounds. This lens can be used as normal telephoto lens as well.

Superior image quality
Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide correction of various aberrations. This lens has superior peripheral brightness and its distortion is corrected effectively. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides sharp and high contrast images even at the maximum aperture.

Handheld photography
This lens is equipped with Sigma’s own unique OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. This system offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible, enabling hand held macro photography. The compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder. It ensures easier framing when shooting hand held. *The Optical Stabilizer function is at its optimum at longer focusing distances.

Floating inner focusing system
A floating inner focusing system moves two different lens groups in the optical path to different positions. This system compensates for astigmatic aberration and spherical aberration and provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 macro. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, ensuring convenient handling.

High speed and quiet AF
The lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring high speed and quiet AF as we as full time manual focus capability.

Rounded diaphragm This lens has a rounded 9 blade diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus area of the image.

APO Tele-Converter
The addition of Sigma’s optional 1.4x EX DG APO and 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 210mm F4 AF telephoto macro lens* or 300mm F5.6 MF telephoto macro lens respectively. Use of Sigma’s teleconverters allow photographers to take pictures with 1:1 magnification but with a greater distance between the lens and subject. Tele Converters can also be used to enlarge the maximum magnification ratio by 1.4 times or 2 times. *AF can operate between infinity and 0.53m.

Hood Adapter HA780-01 (Supplied)
Hood adapter extends the length of the lens hood and provides more effective shading when used with digital cameras with an APS-C size images sensor. * When using the APS-C Hood Adapter HA780-01 with digital cameras with larger than APS-C size image sensor, vignetting will occur. Please remove the hood adapter if you are using these cameras.”"