Sigma 180mm 2.8 Macro

[Caleb Luke]

Received this the other day. I haven't had much of a chance to take some "proper" macro shots with it, but in just messing around the house with it- I'm quite impressed with the sharpness- Especially when using the Sigma 1.4x TC. Two gripes that I have are the size- It is massive compared to the 100mm 2.8 L and also it isn't weather sealed. Anyhow, here are a few around-the-house test shots (all wide open, however some are @ f4 due to TC):

 

[AdamJ]

You're probably this forum's first owner of the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 so you could start a new thread in Image & Video Galleries >> Lens Gallery. I look forward to seeing more.

 

[Jappe]

You're probably this forum's first owner of the Sigma 180mm f/2.8 so you could start a new thread in Image & Video Galleries >> Lens Gallery. I look forward to seeing more.

I would also be interested to see more photos with this new lens

Hopefully Sigma won't redo this lens like they did with 120-300mm lens...

 

[drjlo]

Does the Sigma 180 mm Macro auto focus properly (not just in macro range) in LIVE VIEW? I had to return Sigma 70mm Macro lens because it would not auto focus properly in live view (fine by viewfinder). I mean, not even close to being focused.

 

[chrysoberyl]

I got my Sigma 180mm a couple weeks ago and have used it for wildlife so far because it is as good as my other 'long' lens, a Canon 70-200 IS II. I am very disappointed that my Canon 2X III Extender does not fit - it can be attached and I'm sure none of the glass touched, but it squeaks a little when attached. So I removed it. It attaches easily with a 12mm extension tube, but then I lose infinity focus. Advice, please. I want a macro and longish tele for backpacking.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

I recently purchased this lens too and so far am impressed with it.

It *is* a heavy chunk of glass. It is not really a lens you want to carry around despite coming with a very good case with shoulder strap.

But optically a very nice lens and the stabalization works great. Hand held macro (something I normally wouldn't consider) is possible with this lens.

Very happy with it.

 

[chrysoberyl]

@ AcutancePhotography: It is heavy, but barely more than my Canon 70-200 II. For backpacking, I would prefer it (and maybe a 1.4 TC) as a tele and macro. Otherwise, I would be carrying my Canon 70-200 and Canon 100 macro. Plus, I would have to change lenses as needed, thereby missing shots.
@ drjlo: I have used LIVE VIEW AF a little and it is slow but accurate.

 

[chrysoberyl]

The Sigma 180mm macro will not AF with the Canon 2X III TC. I got a Sigma 1.4X TC and I am very pleased with the results with the Sigma 180mm macro. Correct focal length is recorded by my 6D. No contacts were taped off.
BTW, that TC does not AF well with the Canon 70-200 f/28 II or the Canon 100mm L macro - there is a lot of oscillation before it settles down.

 

[NancyP]

I use the Canon 180 f/3.5L macro plus 1.4x TCII for a decent long-ish telephoto plus macro when hiking. The AF is ungodly slow compared with my normal birding lens, the 400mm f/5.6L. Color, contrast, and sharpness is excellent both by itself and with the 1.4x TC. It's the only way I will take near-macro photos of cottonmouth rattlesnakes! I don't have the 'nads to use a 100mm macro lens on poisonous snake close-up photos, as I have seen some do.

 

[GMCPhotographics]

Can anyone verify the real world focal length of this lens. When I compared my old Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro to the Canon version, I found my Sigma was a lot wider at 1/2 macro.