New Lens Test: Sigma 150mm 2.8 HMS

[jhale]

I got a new lens today
After using Boozemans nikon 105mm 2.8 on our recent shrimp collecting trip I was ready to buy it. I started doing some reading about the 105 and found some amazing reviews on the Sigma 150. I like the idea of having a slightly longer macro, it lets you put a little distance between you and your subject. It also allows you to reach further into an aquarium for close up shots.

my first impression of the lens is positive. It's AF is not as fast as other non macro lens, but it is not slow by any means. The sharpness and contrast of the images are great, as is the color. It may actually be too punchy for my tastes, but I will need to shoot some more with it before making a final judgment.

I will do a little comparison between the nikon 105, the sigma 150 and the tamron 90, when I get the chance to meet up with Boozeman again.

these are the first test shots i took with the sigma.

 

[Deanos]

Nice! What kind of corals are the last 3 shots? Flowerpot? :lol2:

 

[jhale]

I don't have many corals left to shoot , I had to get creative.

 

[pecan2phat]

Take pics of the kitties then

 

[Bob 1000]

Is tuesday good for some test shots,,lol...

 

[Deanos]

Try the tele-converter on it :idea:

300mm macro :wow:

 

[D1J8Z]

id like to set up a tank photo shoot

 

[jhale]

Is tuesday good for some test shots,,lol...

it could be :scratchch let me check...

 

[Bob 1000]

Okay you have my # just call when you get a chance..

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

awesome! It think its time for me to get a new lens! :lol2:

 

[inkblue]

it'S nice

 

[steveo32]

WOW those sots are absolutely amazing. At first I thought there were eggs under the goby (LOL)

 

[jhale]

Try the tele-converter on it :idea:

300mm macro :wow:

Thanks Dean I forgot I had that adaptor. It's the tamron 2X adaptor, with the chip conversion factor it makes the lens close to a 420mm. This made it tough hand holding the camera, I also had to give it much more light. I had to boost the ISO to 800 which is when you start to see grain with the D200. If I test it again I'll use some studio lights to keep the ISO below 400.

for reference the yellow gobys are not much bigger than a quarter.

 

[jhale]

it'S nice

thank you

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

that is crazzzzzzzzzzzzzy !

 

[jhale]

thanks Alex, but to make that combo work well you'd have to be blasting the subject with light. in reef terms maybe a few 400W MH would do it, more like 2x1000W MH's
that might get you down to ISO200 with a decent aperture to keep stuff in focus, and a fast enough shutter speed so fish and coral moving back and forth would not be a blur.

 

[Chongpark27]

awesome close up jonathan Sweet new macro lens

 

[mray]

Those pictures are amazing.

What's your solution to blurry pictures? Increase shutter speed or a tripod?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I don't like these new pics as much as your older ones-not sure is it post production or just personnal taste.

 

[qckwzrd]

amazing! if it was any better we would be looking at the insides of the fish (which we can see a lil of already) lol