Lens review

Sigma 150 mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO Macro

11. Summary

Pros:

• very good image quality in the centre and at the edge of the frame,
• solid casing,
• excellent chromatic aberration correction,
• zero distortion,
• very well corrected coma,
• slight astigmatism,
• good work against bright light,
• quick and silent autofocus,
• rich accessory kit (hood, case, tripod adapter),
• three-year-long guarantee with a possibility to extend it by two next years.

Cons:

• low accuracy of focusing mechanism.

When we summed up the Sigma 2.8/105 Macro test performance we wrote that if that instrument had an HSM motor it would be close to perfect. Here we deal with another case – the tested Sigma 2.8/150 is equipped with an HSM motor but still it leaves a bit to be desired because of the inconsistent autofocus accuracy. However, it was the only flaw we managed to find.

Sample shots:

Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/2500 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/1250 sec., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.7 MB
Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/250 sec., ISO 400 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/320 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.3 MB	Camera: Canon 20D Parameters: 150 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/160 sec., ISO 100 File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.6 MB
Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 150 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/200 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.3 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 150 mm, f/8.0, exp. 1/200 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.1 MB	Camera: Nikon D200 Parameters: 150 mm, f/11.0, exp. 1/200 sec., ISO 200 File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 5.3 MB