When you already have the best
Choosing a right lens for macro photography can be difficult. I almost made a mistake in this area last week, because I have been wanting (and willing and lusting) for Sigma 150/2,8 macro lens for some time.
So, local store had an excellent offer concerning the lens – The price was lower than in Germany! You bet I ordered it :-)
Disappointment never comes beforehand, but sometimes it would be nice and smooth way to realize the facts >_<
I shot a good series of 1:1 close-ups with my new toy – and got disappointed. My sample of the lens looses it’s sharpness beginning from F20 and F22 is useless for my work. (Smallest aperture is F22 in Sigma 150/2,8) I made a test with my Tamron 90/2,8 and it makes usable quality even with F32! Tamron scored this time and did it clearly. I took some 100% crops and examined them closely on my PC screen. There’s no doubt that Sigma is very sharp @ F5,6 to F16 but then its quality degrades dramatically. Tamron keeps its edge in all apertures :-)
I returned the lens and spend my money to new flashgun and angle finder instead. I’m very happy with my solution. The beetle picture-example is taken with my good old Tamron and it is about 1/9 crop of the full frame. I love my macro!
Rhagium (inquisitor or mordax). A sika-good photo!
“There’s no doubt that Sigma is very sharp @ F5,6 to F16 but then it’s quality degrades dramatically. Tamron keeps it’s edge in all apertures :-)” <– Change “it’s” to “its” :P.
I promised to produce bad language, and I’ve kept it :-))
Cute little critter! :D
Your experience just confirms what I’ve come to think of Sigma – their quality control sucks. If you get a sharp copy of a Sigma lens, good for you. But what are the chances of that happening?
Oh and I see you got an angle finder. You’ll love it!