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kaldanner
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Registered: Nov 16, 2010
Location: South Africa
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 16, 2011
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $615.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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very good build quality, sharp, nice bokeh
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Cons:
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a little heavy
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Lucky to get this lens - picked it up from a seller in Germany.
I use it on both my D700 and D7000.
Well built.
I'm pleasantly surprised by the quality of images.
Sharp, nice colors and beautiful bokeh.
It's a gem of a lens!
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 Nov 16, 2011
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pwsth1
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Registered: Jan 17, 2008
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Sep 13, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Stunning sharpness, large working distance, nice soft bokeh, great build quality. Large lens hood.
Nothing extends outward (IF-design).
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Cons:
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can't think of any.
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I use this lens on a Nikon D700.
The Sigma is awesomely sharp, remains even so with stacked dedicated Sigma converters. (1,4x and/or 2x) This really challenges optical quality, but it delivers!!
With this setup I can go to 3:1, and still remain at some distance from the subject. The large working distance is the main reason for my purchase of this lens.
Nice bokeh, great build quality.
If using the focus limiter, AF (HSM) is quick and absolute silent too. Manual focus is very nice and exact, and it has a comfortable focus grip.
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Sep 13, 2009
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brunyan
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Registered: Mar 29, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 115
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Review Date: Aug 14, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $450.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Beautiful bokeh, sharp, quick focusing when you use the limit switch correctly.
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Cons:
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As with all similar lenses this thing is big and heavy!
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I can't speak to the longevity of this lens as I've only had it for a few days but it seems to have a very high build quality. The bokeh on the shots where I was trying for this effect is wonderful! Very sharp and quick enough to focus especially if you use the limit switch. Focus is right on with my D200. This lens is a keeper.
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Aug 14, 2009
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rnbc
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Registered: Apr 8, 2009
Location: Portugal
Posts: 32
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Review Date: May 2, 2009
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Very sharp and contrasty even at f/3.5, high build quality, very good macro performance (as good as tele).
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Cons:
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A bit heavy and big for my taste, not easy to focus correctly at f/3.5 which results in "nervous" performance wide open: either excellent or way off.
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I bought this lens second hand at half the price from some guy that thought the lens was very difficult to use and produced inconsistent results. Well... I understand him: this lens is hard to focus correctly when wide open! Even a very small movement and you're way out of focus. Of course for macro work this is not so important because you tend to stop down a lot, but for tele it's a real problem.
The solution for tele is using autofocus or being patient while manual focusing. Also this lens is very sensitive to camera misadjustment: if your autofocus sensors or your focus screen position are not well calibrated and coplanar with the sensor you will get misfocused shots all the time.
When properly used it performs quite well even wide open as you can see in this two test shots (no sharpening applied):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnbc/3495746880/in/set-72157603099756613/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnbc/3495748120/in/set-72157603099756613/
In macro usage the performance is just as good, but of course the depth of field wide open is close to zero. Stopping down you will notice improvements in contrast up to f/8 or so, and then degradation as diffraction takes it's toll.
For tele usage the contrast does improve somewhat up to f/5.6, but not the sharpness, which is already excellent wide open. Performance degrades over f/8 due to diffraction (this is not a lens problem, of course).
There is some residual chromatic aberration visible, but it's easy to correct in photoshop, although I end up not correcting it most of the time since it's not noticeable in most shots anyway.
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May 2, 2009
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hatch1921
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Registered: May 13, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 4314
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Review Date: Dec 16, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $700.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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SHARP! SHARP! SHARP! BOKEH! BOKEH! BOKEH! Color and contrast are great. I like the look of the Sigma bokeh(this lens only) over the Canon 180L.
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Cons:
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A little slow the focus but I knew this going in to the purchase. It does have a focus limit switch which is handy.
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I have shot with the Canon 180L and I really enjoyed the lens. I think the color saturation of the Sigma and the bokeh look better on the Sigma. Both were/are very sharp. The Sigma is WICKED sharp... I've even used it in studio settings and it is something else.
I shoot it with the Sigma 1.4TC as well. Images at f/16 are very sharp and the bokeh is insane. It really took my macro photography to another level.
Of course you can use it for all types of photography. The build is solid and the lens performs great IMO.
If you want to save some $ over the Canon 180L... this is the lens for you.
Just my $.02
Hatch
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Dec 16, 2008
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jylppy
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Registered: Nov 2, 2008
Location: Finland
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 2, 2008
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Good image quality, good colors, robust construction
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Cons:
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Lack of image stabilization, auto focus hunts and often fails to lock correctly
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I bought this lens for macro photography. It was my first non-Canon lens, but the price of Canon's 180mm was just way too much. I was positively surprised about its solid construction and image quality. Good bokeh, superb colors. Lack of image stabilization limit usage of this lens to tripod mount or bright conditions. The auto focus of the lens is considerably poorer than my Canon lenses. The lens hunts and locks to out-of-focus "often".
In general the lens has been a good buy. I have especially satisfied with colors and sharpness of the photos (when in focus).
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Nov 2, 2008
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twoshadows
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Registered: Jul 10, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1305
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Review Date: Oct 9, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $719.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp - HSM=fast, accurate focusing - focus limiter switch - couples great with a 1.4x TC
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Cons:
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bit heavy, but all 180 macros are,
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This lens is one of my most versatile lenses. I've had it for over three years now without a single glitch. I have used it for portraits, snakes, bugs (of course), flowers and most impressively, hummingbirds in flight handheld with and without the Sigma 1.4TC. The HSM is that good. Here is the gallery if you're interested:
http://www.pbase.com/iangreyphotography/hummingbirds_in_flight
This lens is a bit heavy, as all 180's are, so it takes some getting used to. But it is a gem especially at the price.
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Oct 9, 2007
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jameslander
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Registered: Jan 27, 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Sep 19, 2007
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Sharp, good colours, great price
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Cons:
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Focus motor failed after 2 1/2 years
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Loved it up to demise of autofocus, but will keep it and use as manual focusser.
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Sep 19, 2007
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maks dezman
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Registered: Nov 29, 2006
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Nov 29, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $750.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Tripod collar, great optics, very sharp, low price, excellent build quality, inexpensive,...
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Cons:
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none
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The color rendition and the "bokeh'" are exceptional. I would rcommend this lens to anyone interested in macro work.
All around super Macro lens.
Cheapest professional lense for typical macro photography.
Great results.
I shot a flea (micro macro, with 50mm reverse) with this lens...
http://www.pbase.com/rainmax/image/37371234
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Nov 29, 2006
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Niloyd
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Registered: Nov 14, 2006
Location: India
Posts: 77
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Review Date: Nov 17, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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At the price that you pay for it, the build quality and mechanicals of this lens are truly state-of-the-art.
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Cons:
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Occasional Hunting, but not a big problem for me, I can work around it.
does not bother me at all.
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I have not used any of the OEMs equivalents that everyone would otherwise compare this lens to, but when I got my hands on this baby, I was pleased!
The images are stunning, good color contrast and sharp images, when you use it, you get the feeling that it is a lens truly built for macro capabilities and nothing else, I love to work with this lens, so far I have done only macros with it and not any teles...
And the results I have got from it, were stunning, everyone I showed my pictures to were amazed at the sharpness this lens delivers, It does hunt occasionally at the full magnification end when you are working with distant objects, but when I am doing macros its SPOT ON! and can make very minute focus adjustments as per your tiny shifts in subject.
Now I have never used a Nikon equivalent, to compare the sharpness but all I can say is at the price you get it at, it is WELL WORTH the investment.
Coming down to the looks, it looks killer, feels solid and is built like a tank, you get that feeling instantly when you hold it in your hands. The HSM is superb, the smoothest I have come accross so far, better than nikons SWM on the 18-55 for sure!
The tripod collar is rock solid and works really well. The hood provided is nice and I always use it with the hood on, it keeps those accidental finger prints of the front glass, because the hood is pretty deep, so I always use the hood.
All in all I would HIGHLY recommend this lens to the aspiring hobbist who is looking to buy a macro lens of this focal length, I have even known some wildlife pros who have used this lens as part of their main lineup.
I dont think I will ever ever need to upgrade this piece of equipment, unless I get filthy rich and have a lot of money to blow! 
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Nov 17, 2006
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GAREN
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Registered: Apr 21, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8767
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Review Date: Oct 27, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $650.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Image quality, Reach, Build, Price, ease of manuel focus and is as good as my Canon 180L if not better for half the price.
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Cons:
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None
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It is Nikon mount for my D200, if I had to do it again I'll buy it for my Canon cameras also.
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Oct 27, 2006
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Marcinek
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Registered: Oct 28, 2005
Location: Poland
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Aug 4, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,050.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very good build quality.HSM drive i silent.Beauty bokeh - 9 aperture blades.Amazing images.Hight resolutions figures.Non-existing vignietting
and distortions.
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Cons:
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Very slow HSM.
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Aug 4, 2006
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Kerry Pierce
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Registered: Jan 31, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 3364
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Review Date: Nov 22, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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very sharp with great working distance
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Cons:
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have no issues with this lens
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can't add anything to what's already posted. I have a couple other macro lenses, including the tamron 90Di. The AF issues that others speak of, seem to be normal for 1:1 shots. It's easier to MF on all of my macro lenses. AF works fast and sure for me, on stuff that's not macro distances. Great lens, IMO.
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Nov 22, 2005
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babu
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Registered: Jan 22, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 38
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Review Date: Jul 18, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great price [cheper than Sigma 150mm]; Sharp, Tripod collar. Constant Barrel; Great working distance; Real time AF MF; Solid
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Cons:
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AF Hunts despite if HSM. Weight
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I actually jumpted from Tamron 90mm, espicially for the working distance..!
Sigma 180mm is really a solid lense, Great sharpness. Good to use ring light as the barrel doesn't rotate. In addition, it also gives a very good blurring effects on the background as the focul length is longer..! some of the samples are at
http://www.babu.dfoto.org/macros
I would say, it is a cheapest professional lense for typical macro photography.
However there are some down-sides. Hunting AF. I guess, it is hard to beat Canon 180mm in terms of AF speed. As far as macro work is concerned, this is not a big problem. One will feel the weight espicially if he/she shoots for more than an hour continuousely..!
Otherwise it is a legend!
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Jul 18, 2005
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BlueEyesPhoto
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Registered: Jan 25, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 461
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Review Date: Jul 11, 2005
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $600.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great price, sharp, tripod collar.
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Cons:
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Black (yes, white lenses do have it cooler in the sun, this one sure gets HOT.)
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It was either this, or spend twice as much. Honestly, never used the Canon, and after using this one, I don't think I really will need to. This one has always been sharp, focus is always on, and the weight isn't that bad. Everyone always complains about weight, but I personally have no problem with this lens in the least.
I've used it for both macro and telephoto and it does perform a little better at the macro end as it because a little off balanced with the tripod collar off.
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Jul 11, 2005
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TimNYC24
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Registered: Jul 16, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 101
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Review Date: Nov 18, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $590.00
| Rating: 10
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I have owned this lens for just more than one year. All of my lenses are Canon L's with the exception of this Sigma lens. There is NO justifiable price/performance comparison you could make with this (or the Tamron 180) vs. the Canon 180mm Macro. Darn good build and performance. Highly recommend.
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Nov 18, 2004
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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28
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91039
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Nov 16, 2011
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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89% of reviewers
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$633.45
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.40
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9.73
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9.1
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