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Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camera
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sigma |
Focal Length Description | 105mm |
Lens Type | Telephoto |
Compatible Mountings | Canon EF |
Camera Lens Description | 9 |
About this item
- 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 150mm with most cameras
- Focuses down to 1:1 magnification ratio at its closest working distance of 12.3 inches
- A hood adapter, lens hood, front & rear lens caps are included with the lens
- Filter size 62mm
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This Item Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon SLR Camera | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $668.00$668.00 | $399.00$399.00 | $1,299.00$1,299.00 | $499.00$499.00 | $125.00$125.00 | -21% $629.00$629.00 List: $799.00 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 17 | Get it Mar 20 - 25 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 17 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 17 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 18 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 17 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Image stabilization | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Auto focus | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.3 |
Picture quality | 4.8 | — | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
Quality of material | 3.8 | — | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
Durability | 3.6 | — | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.2 |
Sold By | 23Sushovan | Port Hole Renewed | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Best Seller Deals |
lens type | Telephoto | Macro | Telephoto | Telephoto | Standard | Wide Angle |
compatible mountings | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF-S |
lens design | Prime | Zoom | Prime | Prime | Prime | Zoom |
focus type | Ring-type ultrasonic | Micromotor | Auto Focus | Auto Focus | Stepper motor | Auto Focus |
minimum focal length | 105 millimeters | 90 millimeters | — | 85 millimeters | — | 18 millimeters |
max focal length | 105 millimeters | 90 millimeters | — | 85 millimeters | — | 35 millimeters |
From the manufacturer
- Designed for your full format DSLR
- Macro lens compatible with APS-C enclosures
- Constant aperture of F2.8
- Optical quality from full aperture
- 9-blade circular diaphragm for incredible softness
Its HSM focus ensured by an ultra-sonic wavebeam allows autofocus fast and above all silent with manual stitch retouching without having to turn off the AF.
MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
A New Standard for Macro Photography
Equipped with SIGMA OS optical stabilisation, this macro telephoto lens is capable of delivering images at a 1:1 reproduction ratio and incredibly sharp freehand.
The low dispersion glass elements that make up the SIGMA MACRO 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM perfectly correct different chromatic aberrations by limiting the scattering of light inside the lens.
Videos
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2 Year Review for Nikon 7500 & Sigma 105mm Lens
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Product guides and documents
Product Description
Product Description
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Cameras offers advanced performance of close-up photography. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) system enables handheld close-up photography. A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and one high refractive index SLD lens provide excellent correction for all types of aberration and distortion. 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.The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, providing high contrast images. It is also possible to use this lens with Sigma's APO TELE CONVERTERS. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high speed autofocus as well as full-time manual focus capability. This lens features a splash proof design for use in harsh conditions and a rounded 9 blade diaphragm creating an attractive blur to the out of focus areas of the image.
From the Manufacturer
High performance, large aperture medium telephoto macro lens with OS (Optical Stabilizer).
High performance, large aperture medium telephoto macro lens with OS (Optical Stabilizer). SLD glass provides good control of aberration and the floating inner focus system ensures high rendering throughout the focusing range. By using Sigma's APO Tele Converter, it is possible to take photos at greater than 1:1 magnification. HSM ensures a quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override. This lens has a rounded 9 blades diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas.
Large aperture medium telephoto macro lens
This medium telephoto macro lens allows you to maintain an appropriate distance from subjects while still getting close up photos. Since the working distance at its closest focusing position is 142mm, shadows of the lens and camera will not affect photography making it suitable for taking photos of subjects, such as flowers, under natural lighting conditions. In comparison to the Sigma 50mm and 70mm macro lenses, the main subjects can be defined with perfectly smooth and blurred backgrounds.
No Super Multi-Layer Coating (left). With Super Multi-Layer Coating (right).High rendering performance
The lens power layout produces excellent optical performance. High refractive index SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass corrects chromatic aberration, spherical aberration and field curvature. It ensures high rendering performance at all shooting distances. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, maintaining quality images with high contrast.
No Optical Stabilizer (top). With Optical Stabilizer (bottom).Handheld photography with ease
Sigma's OS (Optical Stabilizer) system offers effective correction of approximately 4 stops. As the stabilization effect is visible through the viewfinder, it aids composition and accurate focusing.
* The OS effectiveness will gradually decrease as the shooting distance becomes shorter.
Floating inner focusing
This lens incorporates floating inner focusing which moves two lens groups separately. This minimizes aberrations which occur as shooting distance changes, and enables stable rendering of the image from infinity to 1:1 magnification. This also corrects image distortion, especially when taking close-up pictures. Since focusing does not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use.
Hyper Sonic MotorQuiet and speedy AF
HSM indicates lenses equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor, driven by ultrasonic waves. HSM provides quiet and high speed AF. It is also possible to use full-time manual focus, even if the lens is set to autofocus.
Rounded 9 blades diaphragm
This lens has a rounded 9 blade diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas. This also creates smooth, rounded out of focus highlights when taking photos which have a strong light source in the background such as lights shining on the surface of water.
Lens Construction
In a conventional lens, focusing requires an extension of the entire lens or the front lens group. However, to better accommodate autofocusing mechanisms and closeup photography, a need has arisen for lenses that do not change their length during focusing or suffer from focus-dependent variation in aberration. Therefore, Sigma has developed focusing systems that only move elements within the lens barrel. These incorporate smaller and lighter moving lens elements which help improve auto-focus speed. With their unchanging barrel length and small variation in the center of gravity, these lenses also enhance balance and stability for the photographer. Furthermore, since the front of the lens does not rotate, polarizing filters can be used with extra convenience.
Specifications
Lens Construction 16 Elements in 11 Groups Angle of View 23.3 degrees Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades (Rounded diaphragm) Minimum Aperture F22 Minimum Focusing Distance 31.2cm / 12.3in. Maximum Magnification 1:1 Filter Size Diameter 62mm Dimensions Diameter 78.3mm x Length 126.4mm / 3.1in. x 5.0in. Weight 725g / 25.6oz.MTF Chart
MTF (Modular Transfer Function) is one of the measurements that evaluates a lens' performance, and it contrasts sensitivity at different spacial frequencies. The horizontal axis is in millimeters and shows the distance from the center of the image toward the edges, and contrast value (highest value is 1) is shown in the vertical axis.
The readings at 10 lines per millimeter measure the lens' contrast ability (red lines), repeating fine parallel lines spaced at 30 lines per millimeter measure the lens' sharpness ability (green lines), when the aperture is wide open. Fine repeating line sets are created parallel to a diagonal line running from corner to corner of the frame, are called Sagittal lines (S) and sets of repeating lines vertical to these lines are drawn, called Meridional (M) line sets.
Distortion
effective distortion: When you take a picture of a lattice pattern, it will appear as the blue dotted line shows. the red line illustrates how the lattice pattern will appear in the actual picture when any lens distortion is taken into account.
relative distortion: In this chart, the horizontal axis shows the ideal image height (the distance from the center to the edge of the image [mm]). The vertical axis shows the extent of distortion. The extent of the distortion is represented by how much Y, which is the actual image height, grows (or shrinks) against Y0 which is the ideal image height.
Extent of distortion: D[%]=(Y-Y0/Y0)x100
When you take the picture of a square object, if the distortion amount show a minus value, the image will be seen as expanded (Barrel distortion). If the distortion amount is a plus value, it will be seen as a recessed (pincushi on distortion). When the distortion value is close to 0, the appearance of distortion is very minimal.
Vignetting
The horizontal axis shows the image height (the distance from the center to the edge of the image [mm]). The vertical axis shows the amount of light in the image (based on the amount of light in the image center being 100%). If the peripheral amount of light is lower than the center, the four corners of the image will be darker (vignetting).
Product information
Product Dimensions | 5 x 3.07 x 3.07 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.6 pounds |
ASIN | B0058NYVXG |
Item model number | 258101 |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #486 in SLR Camera Lenses |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 4, 2011 |
Manufacturer | Sigma Corporation of America |
Warranty & Support
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What's in the box
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, value, performance and image quality of the camera lens. They mention that the lens is outstanding, captures beauty up close and is good value for money. They also appreciate the image stabilization. However, some customers have issues with noise. They disagree on autofocus, and weight.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the lens. They mention that it is an outstanding product, with superb sharpness and crystal clear images. The build quality of this lens is very solid, and the autofocus is spot on. Customers also appreciate the quick focus and the ability to double as a portrait lens and a macro lens. Overall, customers are happy with their purchase and recommend this lens to others.
"...It has performed well in all scenarios. The build quality of the lens is very solid. The autofocus is spot on. Images are tack sharp...." Read more
"...this Macro lens because of previous ownership of the brand name, the quality, features, and unparalleled warranty. I was right again...." Read more
"...My new favorite lens. It is weighted nicely also, and feels sturdy. It works great with my Canon 80D. And it is versatile...." Read more
"It’s more robust and heavier than the corresponding lens made by Canon, but it’s three times less expensive than Canon’s one, and you will get..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the image quality of the lens. They say that the autofocus is spot on, the images are tack sharp, and the 1:1 image is fantastic. They also say that regular photography and portraits are fantastic, due to the magnificent 2.8 wide aperture.
"...The autofocus is spot on. Images are tack sharp. Color rendition is great and chromatic aberration is essentially a non-issue...." Read more
"...Regular photography and portraits are fantastic too thanks to the magnificent 2.8 wide aperture that allows really good photos in low-light..." Read more
"...Image stabilization works well, but is noisy. I love the bokeh this lens creates, and it is sharp. My new favorite lens...." Read more
"...side with the Canon 100mm macro lenses, I feel that the overall image quality is on par; you would be hard pressed to notice any real difference..." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the camera lenses. They say it is a good product for the price.
"...You can use it for more than just macro. Great buy for the price." Read more
"...market, offering a stabilized lens with high quality optics for a much lower price than you would normally pay...." Read more
"Overall the lens is good at a great price. It's not quite as sharp as the Canon 100mm macro, but is sharp enough for most situations...." Read more
"...To this end I achieved my intended goal. It is a significantly less expensive way to get the look you would get with portraits taken with a 70-200..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the performance of the lens. For example, they say it's performed well in all scenarios, the build quality is very solid, and it works great with their Canon RP and EF/RF adaptor. The macro function works perfectly, and the image quality is superb. It will work fine for portraiture, and customers are happy with the purchase.
"...It has performed well in all scenarios. The build quality of the lens is very solid. The autofocus is spot on. Images are tack sharp...." Read more
"...It is weighted nicely also, and feels sturdy. It works great with my Canon 80D. And it is versatile. You can use it for more than just macro...." Read more
"...This is one of the best crop-only lenses Canon makes, and it is so very good. So sharp, great performance, excellent portraits, great color...." Read more
"...is amazing, the image stabilization seems to be fine, and all of my shots have been great...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the image stabilization of the lens. They mention that it is accurate and the images are sharp and stable even when there is a lot of movement.
"...The image stabilization is sufficient, but I hardly use it since I almost always use a tripod. It does function well, however...." Read more
"...The Image Stabilization (OS Optical Stabilizer) in this lens is fantastic, handheld photography is most of what I do...." Read more
"...I don't use the auto focus, so I can't comment on that. Image stabilization works well, but is noisy...." Read more
"...7. Optical Stabilization – This is the Sigma version of IS, and this lens is rated for 4 stops...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the autofocus of the camera lenses. Some mention that it's spot on, while others say that it is not so great at close distance, and that it would not respond to helicon remote or cannon connect. This results in an incredibly shallow depth of field.
"...4. Auto-Focus is not so great at close distance – This is only for using at macro distances, but once you get close the lens will hunt for focus a..." Read more
"...The build quality of the lens is very solid. The autofocus is spot on. Images are tack sharp...." Read more
"...My only qualms are that my auto focus, which is already slow, seems to be slightly broken...." Read more
"...It's just not as sharp and contrasty, the autofocus isn't as fast and hunts in low light, and it's too heavy...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the lens. Some mention that it's lightweight and works great with their Canon RP & EF/, while others say that it is too heavy.
"...My new favorite lens. It is weighted nicely also, and feels sturdy. It works great with my Canon 80D. And it is versatile...." Read more
"It’s more robust and heavier than the corresponding lens made by Canon, but it’s three times less expensive than Canon’s one, and you will get..." Read more
"Very sharp lens. weighty but that's to be expected for an F2.8 lens with image stabilization...." Read more
"...It has everything I want in a macro lens: super sharp, snappy focus, light weight, reasonably compact, and has impressive, nearly silent image..." Read more
Customers are not happy with the noise produced by the camera lens. For example they mention that the stabilization works well, but it's noisy.
"...Image stabilization works well, but is noisy. I love the bokeh this lens creates, and it is sharp. My new favorite lens...." Read more
"...1. Noisy Autofocus and OS motors – This lens has a lot of noise coming from the focus motor as well as the OS drive...." Read more
"...The stabilizer motor is audible, but not nearly as loud as the Sigma 150mm macro I tested...." Read more
"...The stabilization (OS) motor is noisy at start up and shut down with a very audible mechanical "burp" occurring at the point of engaging the..." Read more
Reviews with images
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I also bought the filter `Zeikos ZE-UV62 62mm Multi-Coated UV' for it at a very good price (reviewed here too). I mainly use this kind of filters on all my lenses as a physical protection and to keep the dust away, it works like a charm.
Another Sigma lens I own and adore is the Giant-Super-Zoom `Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM' (also reviewed here). Some people say this lens is big and heavy, well, it's true, but it is satisfying and rewarding to use like no other lens.
Back to the `Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro', you love this lens the moment you put it in your camera. The ability to shot at 1:1 magnification is an especial event, the simplest little thing becomes immensely interesting after macro-photographed at 1:1, and this lens is wonderful at that. Regular photography and portraits are fantastic too thanks to the magnificent 2.8 wide aperture that allows really good photos in low-light environment. If you're looking for an all-round Macro (1:1 to be a real macro) don't look farther, this is it.
I recommend this lens better than a short one because you have more space for lighting, 12 inches instead of 8; better than a longer one because you can get a lot closer to the subject. The Image Stabilization (OS Optical Stabilizer) in this lens is fantastic, handheld photography is most of what I do. So feel confident to get this Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM 1:1 Macro, I did and I feel good. Thanks God, thanks Sigma, and thanks Amazon.
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2022
Note - This is a review for the Canon mount of this lens, though most of this will also apply to other brand mounts, as they are for the most part the same lens just with a different mount. Optically and feature wise they will be no different no matter what camera mount the lens has.
Pros
1. Very sharp – Oh baby is this lens sharp! Sigma is well known for their quality of optics in their primes, and this lens does not disappoint. This was my first Sigma lens, and most certainly will not be my last. I will let the images speak for themselves.
2. Price – Its base price is kind of high (969 USD), but this lens has had an ongoing 400 dollar instant rebate for a long time that brings it down to 569 USD (sometimes lower), and I don’t see that changing. At the reduced price I would say this lens competes well against lenses like the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS macro, and I would suggest it over the non-IS model from Canon for macro work. The Canon lenses will outperform the Sigma in auto-focus, and have very few cons, but for the money, the Sigma is still a great lens. If trying to decide between the two I think it comes down to what and how you shoot. If you shoot only macro, and use mostly manual focus techniques, the less expensive Sigma will be fine. If you rely more on auto-focus and want to use it as a multipurpose lens, the Canon has better performance, but the Sigma still does alright. Both are very sharp lenses, neither will disappoint there as long as you understand what you are getting.
3. Vibrant colors – I love the color this lens creates. Sometimes it is so vibrant I have to turn it down a bit in Lightroom! Though it can make things look a little surreal too, which is cool if you like that, but if you don’t you will need to do some kind of post processing. For macro work that is a good idea anyway, since so many macro shots require at least a little work in post.
4. 1:1 magnification – True macro, this achieves 1:1 magnification at the min focus distance. Nothing else to say there.
5. Edge to edge sharpness - Another thing to point out is that the sharpness carries from center to corner, as will most lenses that are true macro lenses. This is great for recreating the details found in small items, which is what a macro lens does best. Even at min focus distance this lens is sharp edge to edge.
6. Good working space – Speaking of that min focus, it is just over a foot at 12.3 inches (31.3cm for you metric folks). So if you account for the length of the lens and the depth of the camera, this gives you about 6-7 inches of workspace around your subject. This makes it easier to get more light on your subject, something that is critical to macro.
7. Optical Stabilization – This is the Sigma version of IS, and this lens is rated for 4 stops. However, I have not really pushed this to test the limits just yet, and I would suspect it cannot do 4 stops at macro ranges (I don’t think any macro lens can). I know I have been as low as 1/40 sec on my 80D with this lens from about 8 inches away. That would be 2 stops. If I looked through my collection I doubt I would find a lot that are shot slower than that at macro range, if any. If you can’t hold steady enough at 1/40 sec then there are some other things to look into (see notes about shooting techniques).
8. F2.8 aperture – Good for exposure and background blur. Makes this a well-rounded lens. As long as you can deal with the noise the focus motor makes you can use this for just about anything that the focal length allows (see cons for more info about the noise issue).
9. Portraits – For those not in the know, macro lenses make great portrait lenses too! This is due to the high level of clarity they have from the center to the edge of the frame, with great color and details. They also typically have fairly wide apertures too, like F2.8. This allows for good isolation of the subject from the background with the ever coveted bokeh effect. Combined with the longer focal length, this lens makes a pretty good portrait lens. It’s better on a full frame due to having a wider angle of view, but on a crop camera it will take good tight headshots. And since it has a good min focus, it can actually be better for this than a 70-200mm can, as the closer you are to your subject the better the details.
10. Other stuff – 9 blade aperture makes smooth background blur. Lens hood is included, and has an extended hood attachment for when being used on APS-C cameras (not sure if it is really needed though, and I have never used it). 4 year warranty is 4 times better than the Canon models, and is part of the reason I would suggest it over the non-IS model for about the same price, as well as the OS.
Cons (Most this is for your information only, and is not worth a star off. It is up to the user to know what they are getting and how to use it. If I have removed a star for any reason I will make note where and why)
1. Noisy Autofocus and OS motors – This lens has a lot of noise coming from the focus motor as well as the OS drive. It is noticeable even if not holding the camera up to your face. This is pretty common of Sigma lenses that came out in this same generation, and newer designs are much better (Art lenses are amazing). This is an issue that Sigma should get resolved, though that will not likely happen unless they do a new version of the lens. It might not be as big an issue for some as others, and the degree of severity might differ from lens to lens, but I have heard from plenty of other users they are experiencing this with this lens. 1 star off – for just being a loud lens overall.
2. Build quality is iffy – It’s not bad, but it most certainly is not as good as other Sigma lenses I have seen (Art series, Sport series). The casing is plastic, but otherwise looks nice and feels pretty good. The switches are raised and easy to switch, but they feel like they don’t always click all the way into position. I have a feeling that if anything is going to give me grief at some point, it will be the switches, but so far so good. It is a large lens too, if that matters to you. For me it is not a real big deal, since I am a big guy, but for others it might be. Also worth pointing out is that this lens is not weather sealed in any way, so take care not to get it wet. At the full price of 959 I would expect better build quality than this. At the typical price of 569 I really wouldn’t have any higher expectation than what it is. I would only remove a star for this at its base price of 959.
3. Not USB dock compatible – If you are not aware, Sigma makes a dock that can attach some of their lenses to a PC via USB, and this allows for updates to the firmware as well as adjustments to the focus. This lens unfortunately is not compatible with this dock (It predates that design). Since this is a prime lens though, if you are experiencing forward or back focus you can use micro adjustments on your camera to fix this, so long as your camera has this function. I have not had to make any adjust to mine, but I use manual focus almost exclusively with this lens, so I really can’t say one way or another.
4. Auto-Focus is not so great at close distance – This is only for using at macro distances, but once you get close the lens will hunt for focus a lot. This is not uncommon, all macro lenses struggle at this range without a lot of light on the subject (even then it is still not great on the Sigma). Some tips – Instead of trying to allow the camera to find focus for you, set your lens to manual and then move the focus to the minimum for 1:1 magnification. Then physically move your camera towards or away from the subject. At some point the subject will be in focus as it moves along the plane. Then take your shot. I like to use burst mode for this, and slowly move forward and back while snapping shots. This increases the odds you will get a keeper, and if done right can be used for image stacking (a post processing technique for increasing depth by combining several shots). I would also shoot at F8 to increase the depth, to get more of the subject into focus, F16 if your camera doesn’t suffer from too much diffraction (or if you don’t care about diffraction). This does reduce your exposure, so be sure to also have light. A ring light that mounts on the front of the lens is probably the cheapest way to go. There are also macro flashes that mount to the front, but they are expensive. I have also used Speedlights with reflectors on them, both on and off camera. There are a lot of ways to get light on a subject for macro, just google “macro lighting techniques”.
5. Other Stuff – 62mm filter thread is not common, so no filter sharing without step up or down rings, same goes for front lens caps. Lens hood has some odd attachment for APS-C cameras that is not able to be stored on the lens (too small to be reversed) and makes the hood huge when attached to the lens. I have never used it so I really don’t know how to explain what it is for and the info on the Sigma website is limited (supposedly adds even more shading, but only on crop cameras). I wouldn’t bother with it for anything macro related.
Conclusions
With the 400 dollar instant rebate I would call this lens a contender. When compared side by side with the Canon 100mm macro lenses, I feel that the overall image quality is on par; you would be hard pressed to notice any real difference between them. For overall performance, the Canon 100mm F2.8L IS outperforms it, but at a high premium. I would say if you shoot your macro shots in manual the way I have described, then there is little reason to drop so much money on the Canon. If the noisy AF and OS are going to be an issue for you, then the Canon model will be a better bet (look in the suggestions for a better comparison). With any luck Sigma will redo this lens as an Art lens, and fix all the issues. I would expect though, that would also bring the price back up to somewhere around 1000 or more, which puts it at a higher price than the Canon, which begs the question, why bother? At its current price it has a special place in the market, offering a stabilized lens with high quality optics for a much lower price than you would normally pay. I think for now this is what Sigma is going to be offering, and in my eyes the cons are outweighed by the pros due to how I use the lens. It is a personal choice though, and macro can be a tricky thing to do. I would only suggest this lens to people that are already pretty familiar with macro. If you are looking at a macro lens for the first time, this can still work for you, if you are willing to learn how to make it work.
Other suggestions. It wouldn’t be a WOFG review without suggestions!
1. Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM – I think this is the lens people are going to want to see a comparison with, since they are similar lenses. The Canon is just all around a better lens; better build, not noisy, better overall AF performance for all uses (though neither lens is very fast due to slower gears meant for fine macro focusing). The IS/OS are about the same, neither gives more than 2 stops for macro, and 4 stops for all other shooting, but the Canon is also silent here. IQ wise, I think they are neck and neck; both make beautiful images. The Canon is a more expensive lens though, typically priced at 900 USD. If you must have the advantages of the Canon, then I can respect that, after all it is one of the best they make. Just know that it is frequently reduced in price these days, sometimes as low as 699, but most the time 750 or 800. If you can handle the lens as I have described, the Sigma will give you great IQ for a much lower price. If you want to also use the lens for portraits, then the Canon might be a better option, since the noisy focus will not only be a distraction to your model, but it draws the wrong kind of attention to you (makes people think you have shoddy gear). The Sigma does take good portraits too, if the noise doesn’t matter to you. For me it is a real toss up, so I went with the cheaper lens. If you do decide the Canon is more your style, then wait for a sale. One last note – I do not suggest either as a portrait lens on a crop camera, at least not as the main lens. I would suggest something more in the 50mm range on a crop camera for portraits. This is because the crop factor makes the lens way too tight. Good for headshots, but not much else.
2. Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro USM non-IS – The older 100mm Canon that does not have IS, it’s a good one. New it is a little cheaper than the Sigma at 500 USD, but I don’t know that it is a better lens. The IS and 4 year warranty on the Sigma are probably worth the extra 70 dollars, but I mention this Canon lens since it can be found commonly for 350 to 400 dollars used. That is pretty cheap for such a good lens. I don’t think I would risk a used copy of the Sigma lens, since it does come from a generation that was not the best for build quality, but the Canon likely would be fine (their lenses are built to last). Brand new I would get the Sigma over the Canon any day for the small difference in price.
3. EF-S 60mm F2.8 Macro USM – This is for crops only, since this lens will not fit on a full frame camera. This is one of the best crop-only lenses Canon makes, and it is so very good. So sharp, great performance, excellent portraits, great color. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you would like more info on it, you should check out the review I have for it on my profile (also the top review on Amazon for the 60mm lens). I would suggest it over the 105mm for two reasons. First, the wider angle of view overcomes the crop factor (96mm after crop vs 168mm). The other is price, it is 400 USD new, and sometimes as low as 350. If you have a crop camera it is one I recommend. But, the Sigma has other advantages too, as sometimes that added reach helps, and you will have greater working distance to let you get more light on your subject. It just depends on what you shoot. Check out the review for a better explanation, as I don’t want to spend too much time on it here, since this is not a review for the 60mm lens.
That is all I got. All that is left is to check out the images. Thank you for reading my review! Please check out my profile for more reviews of gear, and if you found this helpful then remember to hit that helpful button. Thanks again!
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2018
Note - This is a review for the Canon mount of this lens, though most of this will also apply to other brand mounts, as they are for the most part the same lens just with a different mount. Optically and feature wise they will be no different no matter what camera mount the lens has.
Pros
1. Very sharp – Oh baby is this lens sharp! Sigma is well known for their quality of optics in their primes, and this lens does not disappoint. This was my first Sigma lens, and most certainly will not be my last. I will let the images speak for themselves.
2. Price – Its base price is kind of high (969 USD), but this lens has had an ongoing 400 dollar instant rebate for a long time that brings it down to 569 USD (sometimes lower), and I don’t see that changing. At the reduced price I would say this lens competes well against lenses like the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS macro, and I would suggest it over the non-IS model from Canon for macro work. The Canon lenses will outperform the Sigma in auto-focus, and have very few cons, but for the money, the Sigma is still a great lens. If trying to decide between the two I think it comes down to what and how you shoot. If you shoot only macro, and use mostly manual focus techniques, the less expensive Sigma will be fine. If you rely more on auto-focus and want to use it as a multipurpose lens, the Canon has better performance, but the Sigma still does alright. Both are very sharp lenses, neither will disappoint there as long as you understand what you are getting.
3. Vibrant colors – I love the color this lens creates. Sometimes it is so vibrant I have to turn it down a bit in Lightroom! Though it can make things look a little surreal too, which is cool if you like that, but if you don’t you will need to do some kind of post processing. For macro work that is a good idea anyway, since so many macro shots require at least a little work in post.
4. 1:1 magnification – True macro, this achieves 1:1 magnification at the min focus distance. Nothing else to say there.
5. Edge to edge sharpness - Another thing to point out is that the sharpness carries from center to corner, as will most lenses that are true macro lenses. This is great for recreating the details found in small items, which is what a macro lens does best. Even at min focus distance this lens is sharp edge to edge.
6. Good working space – Speaking of that min focus, it is just over a foot at 12.3 inches (31.3cm for you metric folks). So if you account for the length of the lens and the depth of the camera, this gives you about 6-7 inches of workspace around your subject. This makes it easier to get more light on your subject, something that is critical to macro.
7. Optical Stabilization – This is the Sigma version of IS, and this lens is rated for 4 stops. However, I have not really pushed this to test the limits just yet, and I would suspect it cannot do 4 stops at macro ranges (I don’t think any macro lens can). I know I have been as low as 1/40 sec on my 80D with this lens from about 8 inches away. That would be 2 stops. If I looked through my collection I doubt I would find a lot that are shot slower than that at macro range, if any. If you can’t hold steady enough at 1/40 sec then there are some other things to look into (see notes about shooting techniques).
8. F2.8 aperture – Good for exposure and background blur. Makes this a well-rounded lens. As long as you can deal with the noise the focus motor makes you can use this for just about anything that the focal length allows (see cons for more info about the noise issue).
9. Portraits – For those not in the know, macro lenses make great portrait lenses too! This is due to the high level of clarity they have from the center to the edge of the frame, with great color and details. They also typically have fairly wide apertures too, like F2.8. This allows for good isolation of the subject from the background with the ever coveted bokeh effect. Combined with the longer focal length, this lens makes a pretty good portrait lens. It’s better on a full frame due to having a wider angle of view, but on a crop camera it will take good tight headshots. And since it has a good min focus, it can actually be better for this than a 70-200mm can, as the closer you are to your subject the better the details.
10. Other stuff – 9 blade aperture makes smooth background blur. Lens hood is included, and has an extended hood attachment for when being used on APS-C cameras (not sure if it is really needed though, and I have never used it). 4 year warranty is 4 times better than the Canon models, and is part of the reason I would suggest it over the non-IS model for about the same price, as well as the OS.
Cons (Most this is for your information only, and is not worth a star off. It is up to the user to know what they are getting and how to use it. If I have removed a star for any reason I will make note where and why)
1. Noisy Autofocus and OS motors – This lens has a lot of noise coming from the focus motor as well as the OS drive. It is noticeable even if not holding the camera up to your face. This is pretty common of Sigma lenses that came out in this same generation, and newer designs are much better (Art lenses are amazing). This is an issue that Sigma should get resolved, though that will not likely happen unless they do a new version of the lens. It might not be as big an issue for some as others, and the degree of severity might differ from lens to lens, but I have heard from plenty of other users they are experiencing this with this lens. 1 star off – for just being a loud lens overall.
2. Build quality is iffy – It’s not bad, but it most certainly is not as good as other Sigma lenses I have seen (Art series, Sport series). The casing is plastic, but otherwise looks nice and feels pretty good. The switches are raised and easy to switch, but they feel like they don’t always click all the way into position. I have a feeling that if anything is going to give me grief at some point, it will be the switches, but so far so good. It is a large lens too, if that matters to you. For me it is not a real big deal, since I am a big guy, but for others it might be. Also worth pointing out is that this lens is not weather sealed in any way, so take care not to get it wet. At the full price of 959 I would expect better build quality than this. At the typical price of 569 I really wouldn’t have any higher expectation than what it is. I would only remove a star for this at its base price of 959.
3. Not USB dock compatible – If you are not aware, Sigma makes a dock that can attach some of their lenses to a PC via USB, and this allows for updates to the firmware as well as adjustments to the focus. This lens unfortunately is not compatible with this dock (It predates that design). Since this is a prime lens though, if you are experiencing forward or back focus you can use micro adjustments on your camera to fix this, so long as your camera has this function. I have not had to make any adjust to mine, but I use manual focus almost exclusively with this lens, so I really can’t say one way or another.
4. Auto-Focus is not so great at close distance – This is only for using at macro distances, but once you get close the lens will hunt for focus a lot. This is not uncommon, all macro lenses struggle at this range without a lot of light on the subject (even then it is still not great on the Sigma). Some tips – Instead of trying to allow the camera to find focus for you, set your lens to manual and then move the focus to the minimum for 1:1 magnification. Then physically move your camera towards or away from the subject. At some point the subject will be in focus as it moves along the plane. Then take your shot. I like to use burst mode for this, and slowly move forward and back while snapping shots. This increases the odds you will get a keeper, and if done right can be used for image stacking (a post processing technique for increasing depth by combining several shots). I would also shoot at F8 to increase the depth, to get more of the subject into focus, F16 if your camera doesn’t suffer from too much diffraction (or if you don’t care about diffraction). This does reduce your exposure, so be sure to also have light. A ring light that mounts on the front of the lens is probably the cheapest way to go. There are also macro flashes that mount to the front, but they are expensive. I have also used Speedlights with reflectors on them, both on and off camera. There are a lot of ways to get light on a subject for macro, just google “macro lighting techniques”.
5. Other Stuff – 62mm filter thread is not common, so no filter sharing without step up or down rings, same goes for front lens caps. Lens hood has some odd attachment for APS-C cameras that is not able to be stored on the lens (too small to be reversed) and makes the hood huge when attached to the lens. I have never used it so I really don’t know how to explain what it is for and the info on the Sigma website is limited (supposedly adds even more shading, but only on crop cameras). I wouldn’t bother with it for anything macro related.
Conclusions
With the 400 dollar instant rebate I would call this lens a contender. When compared side by side with the Canon 100mm macro lenses, I feel that the overall image quality is on par; you would be hard pressed to notice any real difference between them. For overall performance, the Canon 100mm F2.8L IS outperforms it, but at a high premium. I would say if you shoot your macro shots in manual the way I have described, then there is little reason to drop so much money on the Canon. If the noisy AF and OS are going to be an issue for you, then the Canon model will be a better bet (look in the suggestions for a better comparison). With any luck Sigma will redo this lens as an Art lens, and fix all the issues. I would expect though, that would also bring the price back up to somewhere around 1000 or more, which puts it at a higher price than the Canon, which begs the question, why bother? At its current price it has a special place in the market, offering a stabilized lens with high quality optics for a much lower price than you would normally pay. I think for now this is what Sigma is going to be offering, and in my eyes the cons are outweighed by the pros due to how I use the lens. It is a personal choice though, and macro can be a tricky thing to do. I would only suggest this lens to people that are already pretty familiar with macro. If you are looking at a macro lens for the first time, this can still work for you, if you are willing to learn how to make it work.
Other suggestions. It wouldn’t be a WOFG review without suggestions!
1. Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro IS USM – I think this is the lens people are going to want to see a comparison with, since they are similar lenses. The Canon is just all around a better lens; better build, not noisy, better overall AF performance for all uses (though neither lens is very fast due to slower gears meant for fine macro focusing). The IS/OS are about the same, neither gives more than 2 stops for macro, and 4 stops for all other shooting, but the Canon is also silent here. IQ wise, I think they are neck and neck; both make beautiful images. The Canon is a more expensive lens though, typically priced at 900 USD. If you must have the advantages of the Canon, then I can respect that, after all it is one of the best they make. Just know that it is frequently reduced in price these days, sometimes as low as 699, but most the time 750 or 800. If you can handle the lens as I have described, the Sigma will give you great IQ for a much lower price. If you want to also use the lens for portraits, then the Canon might be a better option, since the noisy focus will not only be a distraction to your model, but it draws the wrong kind of attention to you (makes people think you have shoddy gear). The Sigma does take good portraits too, if the noise doesn’t matter to you. For me it is a real toss up, so I went with the cheaper lens. If you do decide the Canon is more your style, then wait for a sale. One last note – I do not suggest either as a portrait lens on a crop camera, at least not as the main lens. I would suggest something more in the 50mm range on a crop camera for portraits. This is because the crop factor makes the lens way too tight. Good for headshots, but not much else.
2. Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro USM non-IS – The older 100mm Canon that does not have IS, it’s a good one. New it is a little cheaper than the Sigma at 500 USD, but I don’t know that it is a better lens. The IS and 4 year warranty on the Sigma are probably worth the extra 70 dollars, but I mention this Canon lens since it can be found commonly for 350 to 400 dollars used. That is pretty cheap for such a good lens. I don’t think I would risk a used copy of the Sigma lens, since it does come from a generation that was not the best for build quality, but the Canon likely would be fine (their lenses are built to last). Brand new I would get the Sigma over the Canon any day for the small difference in price.
3. EF-S 60mm F2.8 Macro USM – This is for crops only, since this lens will not fit on a full frame camera. This is one of the best crop-only lenses Canon makes, and it is so very good. So sharp, great performance, excellent portraits, great color. I can’t say enough good things about it. If you would like more info on it, you should check out the review I have for it on my profile (also the top review on Amazon for the 60mm lens). I would suggest it over the 105mm for two reasons. First, the wider angle of view overcomes the crop factor (96mm after crop vs 168mm). The other is price, it is 400 USD new, and sometimes as low as 350. If you have a crop camera it is one I recommend. But, the Sigma has other advantages too, as sometimes that added reach helps, and you will have greater working distance to let you get more light on your subject. It just depends on what you shoot. Check out the review for a better explanation, as I don’t want to spend too much time on it here, since this is not a review for the 60mm lens.
That is all I got. All that is left is to check out the images. Thank you for reading my review! Please check out my profile for more reviews of gear, and if you found this helpful then remember to hit that helpful button. Thanks again!
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Canada on June 30, 2022
Je l'utilise principalement pour la photographie de portrait avec mon Canon 2000D et il est absolument parfait pour cet usage. La distance de mise au point minimale est suffisamment courte pour permettre des plans rapprochés, ce qui me permet de capturer des détails subtils dans les visages. La qualité de la construction est également excellente, avec un revêtement en métal solide et des bagues de mise au point et d'ouverture fluides.
L'objectif permet une bonne prise en main, et bien que la stabilisation soit un peu bruyante, elle est efficace. L'ouverture à f/1.8 permet un beau flou d'arrière-plan, et bien que cet objectif soit principalement destiné à la macro, il peut également être utilisé pour d'autres types de photographie, comme le portrait. En conclusion, je recommande vivement cet objectif pour tous ceux qui cherchent une optique de qualité supérieure pour leur Canon 2000D.
Reviewed in France on December 8, 2022
Je l'utilise principalement pour la photographie de portrait avec mon Canon 2000D et il est absolument parfait pour cet usage. La distance de mise au point minimale est suffisamment courte pour permettre des plans rapprochés, ce qui me permet de capturer des détails subtils dans les visages. La qualité de la construction est également excellente, avec un revêtement en métal solide et des bagues de mise au point et d'ouverture fluides.
L'objectif permet une bonne prise en main, et bien que la stabilisation soit un peu bruyante, elle est efficace. L'ouverture à f/1.8 permet un beau flou d'arrière-plan, et bien que cet objectif soit principalement destiné à la macro, il peut également être utilisé pour d'autres types de photographie, comme le portrait. En conclusion, je recommande vivement cet objectif pour tous ceux qui cherchent une optique de qualité supérieure pour leur Canon 2000D.
ich mache demnächst eine Fotokurs mit bei dem es auch um Makrofotografie geht weshalb ich auf der Suche nach einem günstigen Makroobjektiv mit Abbildungsmaßstab 1:1 für meine EOS R5 war.
Da mir die originalen RF Objektive zu teuer für den Einstieg sind oder nicht im Maßstab 1:1 abbilden können war ich auf der Suche nach einer Alternative und habe mich letztlich für das günstige Sigma 105 mm F2,8 EX Makro DG OS HSM-Objektiv entschieden und habe es bis jetzt nicht bereut.
Zum Lieferumfang gehört neben dem Objektiv der übliche Papierkram, eine hochwertige aber klobige Tasche mit Schulterriemen, eine Gegenlichtblende für Vollformat Kameras und zusätzlich eine für den Einsatz an APS-C Kameras was einen Lieferumfang darstellt den sonst keiner bietet aber gut.
Das Objektiv ist SIGMA typisch Top verarbeitet verfügt über eine Naheinstellgrenze von ca. 31 cm, Autofocus und einen 2 stufigen HSM Bildstabilisator.
Der AF Suchbereich lässt sich in 3 Stufen vorwählen und der AF Ring für den manuellen Focus lässt sich sehr feinfühlig bedienen und justieren.
PRO:
- Preis Leistung sind Top
- Lieferumfang
- Verarbeitung
- Bildqualität
Kontra:
- Man muss bei einer R5 wie vermutlich auch bei den anderen R Modellen von Canon die
Objektivkorrekturen im Menü zumindest teilweise deaktivieren da sich sonst Ringe im Sucher bilden die
ein vernünftiges Arbeiten erschweren oder unmöglich machen
- Über das SIGMA Dock lässt sich bei den älteren SIGMA Modellen leider nicht die FW aktualisieren.
- Der AF ist nicht der leiseste und schnellste findet sein Ziel aber in der Regel sicher.
Die Alternativen:
Canon EF-L 100mm 2.8:
Ist mir selbst gebraucht schlicht zu teuer wäre aber sonst meine erste Wahl gewesen.
Die neuen SIGMA Makroobjektive:
Deutlich teurer und auch keine uneingeschränkte Kompatibilität im Moment gem. SIGMA kompatibilitätsliste zum RF Bajonett.
Tamron: Hier trifft das selbe wie bei den neuen SIGMAs zu
LAOWA: Leider kein Autofocus dafür sogar 2:1 Vergrößerung und auch mit RF Bajonett verfügbar.
FAZIT:
Das alte SIGMA 105mm Macro bietet für mich den besten Kompromiss zwischen Preis Leistung und durch das RF Bajonett bedingte Einschränkungen bei Drittherstellern.
Für meine Zwecke reicht das SIGMA vollkommen aus und das zu einem Neupreis für den man die anderen Objektive teilweise nicht einmal gebraucht bekommt.
Reviewed in Germany on May 28, 2021
ich mache demnächst eine Fotokurs mit bei dem es auch um Makrofotografie geht weshalb ich auf der Suche nach einem günstigen Makroobjektiv mit Abbildungsmaßstab 1:1 für meine EOS R5 war.
Da mir die originalen RF Objektive zu teuer für den Einstieg sind oder nicht im Maßstab 1:1 abbilden können war ich auf der Suche nach einer Alternative und habe mich letztlich für das günstige Sigma 105 mm F2,8 EX Makro DG OS HSM-Objektiv entschieden und habe es bis jetzt nicht bereut.
Zum Lieferumfang gehört neben dem Objektiv der übliche Papierkram, eine hochwertige aber klobige Tasche mit Schulterriemen, eine Gegenlichtblende für Vollformat Kameras und zusätzlich eine für den Einsatz an APS-C Kameras was einen Lieferumfang darstellt den sonst keiner bietet aber gut.
Das Objektiv ist SIGMA typisch Top verarbeitet verfügt über eine Naheinstellgrenze von ca. 31 cm, Autofocus und einen 2 stufigen HSM Bildstabilisator.
Der AF Suchbereich lässt sich in 3 Stufen vorwählen und der AF Ring für den manuellen Focus lässt sich sehr feinfühlig bedienen und justieren.
PRO:
- Preis Leistung sind Top
- Lieferumfang
- Verarbeitung
- Bildqualität
Kontra:
- Man muss bei einer R5 wie vermutlich auch bei den anderen R Modellen von Canon die
Objektivkorrekturen im Menü zumindest teilweise deaktivieren da sich sonst Ringe im Sucher bilden die
ein vernünftiges Arbeiten erschweren oder unmöglich machen
- Über das SIGMA Dock lässt sich bei den älteren SIGMA Modellen leider nicht die FW aktualisieren.
- Der AF ist nicht der leiseste und schnellste findet sein Ziel aber in der Regel sicher.
Die Alternativen:
Canon EF-L 100mm 2.8:
Ist mir selbst gebraucht schlicht zu teuer wäre aber sonst meine erste Wahl gewesen.
Die neuen SIGMA Makroobjektive:
Deutlich teurer und auch keine uneingeschränkte Kompatibilität im Moment gem. SIGMA kompatibilitätsliste zum RF Bajonett.
Tamron: Hier trifft das selbe wie bei den neuen SIGMAs zu
LAOWA: Leider kein Autofocus dafür sogar 2:1 Vergrößerung und auch mit RF Bajonett verfügbar.
FAZIT:
Das alte SIGMA 105mm Macro bietet für mich den besten Kompromiss zwischen Preis Leistung und durch das RF Bajonett bedingte Einschränkungen bei Drittherstellern.
Für meine Zwecke reicht das SIGMA vollkommen aus und das zu einem Neupreis für den man die anderen Objektive teilweise nicht einmal gebraucht bekommt.