p.4 #2 · Newest Sigma 150mm OR 180mm/2.8 Macro. Any owners?
Thank you. I guess there is no meaningful difference between the two on the field. If it's so, the 150 APO might be more desirable due to weight and size.
p.4 #3 · Newest Sigma 150mm OR 180mm/2.8 Macro. Any owners?
As I already mentioned, the S 150 non-OS is probably the best value, S 150 OS a bit better at approx 2x the price and the 180 OS a bit better at about 3x the price, IMO. Since it has become a real horse race, I did more testing. Indoors, tripod, remote switch, 60D, neutral, shot as JPG, OS on, f/2.8 - f/16, at almost 1:1, dollar bill flat on cupboard door. I believe OS on while using a tripod is a fair test. 80% of my macro work is from a mononpod, 20% handheld. The OS performance difference between the 2 lenses is something to consider. 2 stops difference. I believe it did make a difference in my tests as the light was low and shutter speeds were also low (1/100 - 1/2.) Tripods (and most users) are not perfect. Sharpness results: 180 wins by a fair amount. I will keep the 180 and sell the 150 OS. Perhaps one consideration in my mix I should mention, my best (in many ways) macro lens is the Leica R 100/2.8 APO which I will keep, of course. Somehow 180 is a better companion ( to a 100) for when I need OS and AF (can't believe I actually mentioned AF) rotating tripod collar (HUGE), than the 150. Gene
p.4 #5 · Newest Sigma 150mm OR 180mm/2.8 Macro. Any owners?
You are correct. I was indeed suprized. I have always turned IS/VC/VR/OS off on a tripod. Left on when using a monopod. But, the 180 OS mode 1 works just fine when on a tripod. I do not plan on doing any BIF (mode 2) with the 180 so I can see it will be in OS mode 1 always.
p.4 #6 · Newest Sigma 150mm OR 180mm/2.8 Macro. Any owners?
Interesting. Good to know. I am personally toying with the idea of shuffling my lens lineup a bit and making room for either 150 OS or 180 OS, but I haven't quite figured out what makes sense yet.
