Now that the warmer weather has arrived I took out the new Sigma 180 macro. Less than satisfied with the results. Not that I blame the lens at this point, but rather my unfamiliarity with it.
Shots taken of the hounds at play, hand held, are sharp enough. Anything shot macro is unusable. Apertures ranged from f8 to f32 with speeds between 1\30 to 2.5 seconds, autofocus, at 100 ISO on a tripod. In reviewing the macro gallery nothing of the quality exhibited there by the same lens.
Two things spring to mind, the ball head is older and, while it has done a yeoman's service, may need replacing. There may have been instability in the tripod as it was placed on snow. Despite this, having taken 50 odd tripod images, would think at least some might be sharp.
Previous macro experience was film with bellows so this lens is a new ball game. In reviewing Google I can't find a good 'best practices' for this lens. If anybody knows of such a site or has suggestions from their experience, it would be much appreciated.
I'm extremely new to the macro game as well with my 105mm f/2.8 VR.
I would suggest trying out a few different things in hopes of ruling certain errors out. Try bumping the ISO to 500 or 600 to increase the shutter speed. Try hand holding the lens, try it on a pillow or beanbag. Once you've done a variety of tests you hopefully will be able to sort things out.
The first thing I would suggest is to take it off of autofocus. I always manually focus my macro lenses when doing closeup work.
Any instability with either the tripod or the head will be magnified with macro work so that could be a factor as well. Also, be sure to use a remote release if you aren't already. And use mirror lock up.
I've never used Sigma macro lenses but have read many good reviews on the lens you have.
I don't shoot the Sigma 180mm macro but a similar lens with a Minolta 200 f4 macro. After some trial and error (much ) I too have converted to 100% manual focus with much better results.
I have the Sigma 150mm I'm very satisfied with it, although it took me a couple of months to learn to use it. I considered the Sigma 180mm, but after reading many reviews both professional and consumer the 150 seemed like the better choice for me. However, I didn't see any really bad reviews for the 180, it is considered a decent lens by those who reviewed it. Maybe attaching an image to your next comment on this thread might shed some light on the issues you are having.
Posted by David Sparks on April 9, 2010 at 12:12 AM
There is a lot of good information about the lens here
http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/sigma_180mm_macro_review.htm
Try shooting some test shots with flash as the main light source. The brief flash duration will freeze any motion and remove camera shake or tripod instability as a source of softness.
David: I shoot a Minolta 200 like Tim and love the long working distance. The first thing that jumped off the page when I read your post was autofocus. The only time I use autofocus is when hand holding and chasing a butterfly or bug. Since my camera has image stabilization in the body I get away with it but nothing matches the control you get with manual focus. Bear in mind that at macro distances the DOF is very narrow so focal plane is critical. Be sure your viewfinder is properly focused as well so as to eliminate that as a source of error. >=))>
I use a Sigma 180mm and as mentioned earlier always use manual focus when mounted on a tripod. I don't know what make of Camera body you are using but if you have Live View or a variant of it, then this will also reduce any vibration, in addition I also use a Remote Release or set the camera to 2 sec timer. Also the optimum sharpness of the lens can be found between f8 and f16, I never go over f16.
Interestingly, I also have a ball head but I recently upgraded to a Geared Head, this gives much more precision, after a year of using a ball head, I found that it could be tricky to make fine adjustments, so the difference the geared head made was surprising, also it appears to be a more stable platform.
As David mentions earlier, the Juza Nature Photography site gives an excellent review of this lens but also techniques on how to use, which is where I learnt how to get the best out of it.
I have used both the Sigma 150 and 180 and have not noticed any difference in IQ, but there is always the question of Sigma's fabled QC, that does seem to pop up from time to time.
I have used the Sigma 180 for years and love it. Tack Sharp. As said above, take it off auto focus. Use a release and mirror lockup if you have it. If you are shooting closest focus 1:1 @ F16 you may only be tack sharp for about 1/4" DOF Also, Solid tripod is a must.
Mark
Discussion
12 repliesShots taken of the hounds at play, hand held, are sharp enough. Anything shot macro is unusable. Apertures ranged from f8 to f32 with speeds between 1\30 to 2.5 seconds, autofocus, at 100 ISO on a tripod. In reviewing the macro gallery nothing of the quality exhibited there by the same lens.
Two things spring to mind, the ball head is older and, while it has done a yeoman's service, may need replacing. There may have been instability in the tripod as it was placed on snow. Despite this, having taken 50 odd tripod images, would think at least some might be sharp.
Previous macro experience was film with bellows so this lens is a new ball game. In reviewing Google I can't find a good 'best practices' for this lens. If anybody knows of such a site or has suggestions from their experience, it would be much appreciated.
I would suggest trying out a few different things in hopes of ruling certain errors out. Try bumping the ISO to 500 or 600 to increase the shutter speed. Try hand holding the lens, try it on a pillow or beanbag. Once you've done a variety of tests you hopefully will be able to sort things out.
- Luke
Any instability with either the tripod or the head will be magnified with macro work so that could be a factor as well. Also, be sure to use a remote release if you aren't already. And use mirror lock up.
I've never used Sigma macro lenses but have read many good reviews on the lens you have.
http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/sigma_180mm_macro_review.htm
I use a Sigma 180mm and as mentioned earlier always use manual focus when mounted on a tripod. I don't know what make of Camera body you are using but if you have Live View or a variant of it, then this will also reduce any vibration, in addition I also use a Remote Release or set the camera to 2 sec timer. Also the optimum sharpness of the lens can be found between f8 and f16, I never go over f16.
Interestingly, I also have a ball head but I recently upgraded to a Geared Head, this gives much more precision, after a year of using a ball head, I found that it could be tricky to make fine adjustments, so the difference the geared head made was surprising, also it appears to be a more stable platform.
As David mentions earlier, the Juza Nature Photography site gives an excellent review of this lens but also techniques on how to use, which is where I learnt how to get the best out of it.
I have used both the Sigma 150 and 180 and have not noticed any difference in IQ, but there is always the question of Sigma's fabled QC, that does seem to pop up from time to time.
Hope this helps.
regards
Heath
Mark