Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX IF HSM Macro Lens

Taking picture of small animals & insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera & such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects. The DG designation indicates that the lens has been optimized for use with digital SLR cameras.

The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography.

The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO prime lens has a very narrow field of view, & can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography.

The Floating Inner Focus System of the APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX HSM (Hypersonic Motor) provides high quality optical performance and superior handling & stability. This system moves two lens groups within the lens, so the lens' physical length remains unchanged. This technique also maintains good correction for Spherical Aberration and Astigmatism, and provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.

Macro photography requires precise focus adjustment. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) feature is ideal for this purpose as it allows quick and precise manual focus, even in auto focus mode. Simply focus with HSM auto focus, then while partially depressing the shutter release, turn the manual focus ring until any desired focus adjustment is made. Then depress the shutter release. It is not necessary to switch from AF to MF. When the shutter release is next depressed, the AF function will resume. Of course the AF function can be disabled altogether, and only MF used, if desired.

Macro photography can be further enhanced by the 1.4x APO EX tele-converter, which allows the photographer to use the new SIGMA APO 180mm F3.5 MACRO lens as a 252mm F5 lens while maintaining auto focus function from infinity to 1.2m(47.2in.) with Canon, Nikon and Sigma cameras. At distances closer than 1.2m (47.2 in.) the lens automatically switches to MF mode. When this lens and the 1.4x EX tele-converter are used with Minolta or Pentax cameras the lens must be focused manually. When used with the 2x EX tele-converter, the 180mm F3.5 lens becomes a360mm F7 lens with manual focus function only, regardless of camera mount.

Image quality depends in part on color Aberration, which occurs due to differences in the wavelength (color) of light, causing the different colors to focus at different planes. SLD glass in the front optical group helps compensate for this phenomenon, and enables the lens to deliver images of high optical quality, having outstanding crispness and sharpness.

HSM means this lens will autofocus on Nikon D40/D40x, Nikon D60, Nikon D3000, Nikon D3100 and the Nikon D5000 DX Cameras

• Floating Inner Focusing System

• Fully compatible with all Nikon Digital SLR cameras including the D40 and D40X

• It is possible to use 1.4x or 2x Sigma Apo Tele Converters

• Use of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass

• Inner Focus

Construction: 13 elements in 10 groups

Angle of view: 13.7°

F stop range: F3.5 - F32

Closest Focusing Distance: 18.1" / 46cm

Maximum Magnification 1:1

Filter Size: 72mm

Dimensions (Length x Diameter): 3.1 in. (dia) x 7.2 in. (length) 80mm (dia) x 182mm (length)

Weight: 34.0 oz. 965 gr

Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9 Blades

Corresponding AF Mounts:
[180mm F3.5 APO MACRO EX IF HSM] SIGMA, CANON, NIKON (D)
[180mm F3.5 APO MACRO EX IF] SONY/MINOLTA, PENTAX

• 180mm F3.5 EX DG APO Macro (1:1) IF HSM Telephoto Lens

• Lens Case

• Strap

• Lens Hood

• Front & Rear Lens Caps

• Sigma Four-Year Warranty (Sigma One-Year Worldwide Warranty plus Sigma 3-Year Extended USA Warranty

Good value, March 11, 2008

By Buck R. Cash

After a couple of weeks with this lens on my Canon 40D, I like it more all the time. I've found that the sweet spot on mine, aperture-wise, is about f/22. That gives me the most DOF and clarity combination for 1:1 macro shots. I would have loved to be able to use it at it's full f/32, but my test shots with it show that 1:1 shots at that aperture lack the clarity I'm trying to achieve in my macros.

Extra light is a must if you want any DOF to speak of, so if you don't have a ring light or other ways to deal with it yet, you'll want to keep in mind that there's a cost associated with that aspect of this as well.

As a 180mm prime lens, it performs well outside of the macro range too. I'm getting good, crisp shots throughout, and the AF works pretty fast.

It must be compared to the Canon 180mm macro lens, as that's really what it replaces. For that, all I can do is point to the many reviews on the net, as I don't have the Canon. I bought this after slogging through those reviews and finding most all of them favorable towards this lens as a great alternative to save money and still get a great shot - Maybe not as great as the Canon, but not generally enough difference to matter.

By R. Lanthier (Vienna, VA United States)

This is one fantastic lens. It is BIG, built like TWO TANKS, and takes gorgeous gorgeous shots. I bought this lens after a year or so of excellent results from its smaller sibling, the venerable 105mm macro. I thought it would be useful to Best Prices for the extra working distance that the 180 affords. I can say with certainty that the longer focal length is a dream come true. You get so close up to your subject without being right "in it." I had imagined that this would be a "tripod only" lens as it is hard to hold a large lens steady. I have been amazed at my hand held shots coupled with my Konica Minolta 5d (in body image stabilization surely helps!). I have taken excellent tack sharp images hand held with shutter speeds as low as 1/25 at ISO 100. I don't regard myself as a particularly steady hand either. Color is great, sharpness is superb, accessories (case, hood, & tripod collar) are all first rate. Most importantly, photo colleagues are as enAs a resultiastic as I am (more so I suppose) about the results. You won't be disappointed if you can find one for your KM 5d, 7d, or Sony A100! By the way, them Minolta /Sony mount of this lens is NOT HSM, you know that. AF with macro lenses is tough anyway, you know that, right? Right! Even without HSM, AF is better than on the 105mm. Enjoy!

Wednesday, 18 May 2005
180mm F3.5 APO EX DG / HSM Digitally optimized telemacro lens with life-size reproduction ratio

• New multi-layer coating for minimising flare and ghost.
• HSM models ensure fast and silent autofocusing with full- time manual focus override.
• Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters.

This telephoto macro lens provides life-size reproduction and it is optimized for digital cameras.

The new multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. Two SLD (special low dispersion) glass elements ensure high optical performance for film SLR cameras as well as digital SLR cameras.

The floating inner-focus system features two moving lens groups, which ensures that the lens's physical length remains unchanged. This design also maintains excellent correction for Spherical Aberration and Astigmatism, and provides extremely high optical performance throughout its entire focus range.

The HSM models （Sigma, Nikon-D and Canon） provides fast, silent AF function as well as full- time manual focus. The lens also features a Focus Limiter Switch, which provides a more efficient and positive AF function. The 1.4x EX teleconverter allows the photographer to use the new APO 180 F3.5 EX DG HSM lens as a 252mm F5 lens (Auto Focus is available between infinity to 1.2m with Canon, Sigma and Nikon mounts only. For macro work at distances closer than 1.2m the lens automatically changes to MF mode. The 1.4x EX teleconverter can only work in MF mode for Minolta and Pentax cameras. If 2X EX teleconverter is attached , this lens can be used as 360mm F7 MF for all mounts.

Specifications:

Focal Length :180mm
Minimum Aperture :F32
Lens Construction :13 Elements in 10 Groups
Angle of View :13.7°
Number of Diaphragm Blades :9pcs
Minimum Focusing Distance :46cm(18.1”)
Maximum Magnification :1:1
Filter Size :72mm
Lens Hood :Bayonet Hood
Dimensions :Diameter 80mm (3.1”) x Length 182mm (7.1”)
Weight :965gr/34oz
Fittings :Sigma, Canon, Nikon-D, Pentax and Konica/Minolta.

NB:The appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.