Sigma Telephoto 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Autofocus Lens for Sony Alpha & Minolta Maxxum Series USA

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I recently purchased this lens from B&H Photo.I use this lens for everything from its stated purpose (macro), to portrait, to landscape. Nice sharp photos and great control.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I have used this lens for both macro and portrait work and have been very happy with both uses. Nice sharp photos and great control.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

if you like macro photography and do not have enough money to spend on more expensive brands, this is the way to go. The sharpness is great. Use Manual Focus in macro and have fun.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

Great lens for insects macro. Went to the park right after I got it from B&H. Color is great and auto focusing is pretty fast. The only drawback is the screw in lens hood making it very difficult to keep when not in use. As a whole, I give a 4 stars as I have yet tried enough. Overall, I must say it a great lens and money well spent

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I kept debating about spending the money to buy this lense. All of the reviews were so positive, I thought I'd give it a try. The pictures are beautiful...and the lense is very easy to use.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I love the versatility of this lens and the sharpness of the image, especially around the edges. I often use it for portrait shots as well as very close ups of wildflowers, wildlife, insects, etc.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

High quality macro photos! magnification of 1:1 size of the model, high contrast and color range, good control of depht of field. With a f2.8 it´s perfect for inside photos, nature, sunrise...whatever...

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I use this lens for everything from its stated purpose (macro), to portrait, to landscape. It never lets me down.

Build quality is great and the design is thoroughly well thought out. It is somewhat heavy and bulky, but I don't look at those as negatives... it feels great and well-balanced.

It's sharp, it's fast, it's got an extremely solid feel with a wide, "can't miss it" focus grip, and the AF/MF position slider is a very nice touch for a lens of this type.

Oh, yeah... it looks really good, too! Small point (and subjective, too), but it's true! For me, anyway.

On an APS-C sensor, this is a fast "real" medium telephoto... slightly longer than the 135mm fixed focal length lenses that I learned with decades ago.

I use the included hood nearly all the time. Adds some bulk, but this is a moist climate, and it helps a lot to keep mist off the lens.

If you started in photography in the "age of zooms", you'll have to learn to see a little differently, but you'll like what you find when you get used to it.

The biggest downside that I've found so far is not actually the lense's fault. Stopping down to minimum aperture with any lens will show even the tiniest fleck of crud on your sensor. When the minumum aperture is as small as this one, a whole lot of surprises show up.

The really deep "well" that leads to the front element makes it a little harder to clean than many lenses, but that's also a standard feature for macros. Use a filter or "deal"...

One point I would argue with some other reviewers... AF is only "fast" at the long end of the focus range, but that's a limitation of the type. Macros have to turn a LONG way between minimum and maximum. The focus limiter switch helps keep the long-throw "hunting" to a minimum.

Really, really good lens. I'd suggest it to anyone with a compatible SLR or DSLR. Might be the handiest lens you buy!

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I bought this from B & H but soon after bought the Zeiss 85mm. Both are very good. To be frank the Zeiss takes some beating BUT it's a lot more money! I thought I would probably get rid of the 105mm but it's grown on me and unlike the Zeiss it's a macro. It has produced some stunning pics and I won't be saying goodbye to it. I would highly recommend it to anyone and it is very good value. The only criticism I have is that the lens cap doesn't fit when the hood is on but I've overcome this by putting a 77mm cap onto the hood itself.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

The Sigma 105 mm f/2.8 Macro is an outstanding value. I've been using it with my Sony alpha 350. Super clarity, quick autofocus. It has meet and exceeded all my expectations.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

Great macro lens and portrait lens. I have gotten some really great close ups with this lens. This is my first macro lens and I couldn't be more pleased with its performance and durability.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I recieved this lens today, and went right out to the street with it. Its an amazing portrait lens, sharpest lens i own at this point. Its auto focus is smooth and fast, with great DOF abilities.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I ordered this item from B&H a while ago[...]. The lens it self is a tank but on a slr you expect that. It is well contstructed, the focus is slow as in any Macro lens but the focus limiter helps alot. Use Manual focus! The sharpness is great and but the depth of field takes some getting used to. Overall a great Macro and Portrait lens.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I was shocked at the quality of this lens and it's becomeone of my favorites! Auto focusing is fast and quiet, andmanual focusing is sweet with just the right amount ofangular twist to make fine adjustments. But the best thing Ilike about this lens is its bokeh! defocused areas in ashallow depth of field are smooth and pleasant. Contrast isalso very nice.

Expertise: Professional

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: 40 years of cameras, lenses and darkroom equipment.

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

This is one of my favorite lenses. The Sigma EX build isvery solid and it feels like it will last a long time. Thegiant and smooth MF ring is a pleasure to use and the focallength is about perfect for macro work. All fine and goodbut what sets this lens apart is performance for the price.It is tremendously sharp (as a macro should) with greatcolors all for less than $400. No reason to go for a moreexpensive lens when you can get professional results out ofthis Sigma. Also works well as a portrait lens.

Expertise: Advanced Amateur

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Cosina 100mm Macro, Carl Zeiss 16-80

Comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro Autofocus Lens:

I recently purchased this lens from B&H Photo. I am a really picky person that demands quality from the equipment that I use. Before purchasing this lens I read hundreds of reviews on many different macro lenses. Can you imagine the many different views I got on the same lenses. There is a lot of bias out there so I decided to go somewhere where there is no bias.Photos have NO bias.I looked at picture taken with almost every type of macro lens I could find, especially the most notorious ones. I made the decision to purchase the Sigma. I could not have made a better choice. The lens is not the cheapest or the most expensive, but it performs I feel above them all.Now I will give a small review of this lens in different areas. I will be ranking this lens on a scale of 1 to 10.1. Sharpness 10 * This license will take a mole off of someone's face and allow you yo see the pores within the mole without breaking up at all. If you have a bigger camera, 8 megapixel or more, you will be astounded at what you can do with this camera.2. Appearance 8 * The lens is very attractive. The reason I gave it an 8 is because I am not an advocate of the speckles in the black finish. A nice glossy black finish would have been more to my taste.3. Build 8 * This lens is very well built. It is of solid construction and you know you are holding something when you have it in you hands. I really like the dual focusing ring. It makes it so much easier when you are in auto focus. It makes it very easy to stay steady. The elements and groups in the lenses are positioned excellently. Keeping the front element away from the front of the lens was a a brilliant idea. The front element is sunk into the lens body. Protects the lens from being damaged. The only minor complaint I have about the build is the little bit of play in the focusing tube. i am not talking about rotational play that effects focus, but rather the up and down play. My Promaster/Tamron tele zoom lens does the same thing.4. Flare Control 10 * I have only one thing to say, BRILLIANT. I have as of yet had a problem with flare.5. Distortion 9 * If I was just rating this lens at macro mode 1:1 or close-up/portrait work, it would receive a 10. the lens starts becoming a little distorted at about 1:4-infinity. Still not bad, but after all it's a macro lens not a landscape lens.6. Overall Rating 9 *Beautiful lens. For the price there is no other option. Sony, Minolta or Tamron do not have anything on this lens. I would Suggest this lens to anyone. You will not be disappionted; I was not, and I am a very critical person.

Expertise: intermediate

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Sony 18-70mm zoom, Promaster 70-300mm 1:2 Macro, Minolta 50mm 1.7

Items I Recommend: Tiffen UV Filter or Tiffen Polarizing filter