Sigma adds stabilization to its macro lineup
A ruggedly constructed, large-aperture, full-frame, image-stabilized, 1:1 close-up lens, this medium telephoto prime ($970, street) converts up to about 150mm on Sigma’s SD1, as well as on most DSLR cameras with APS-C sensors.
Its attractions include a nonrotating barrel suitable for lens-mounted macro ringlights; super-low dispersion and high- refractive index elements that correct for color fringing; and a hypersonic focu-sing motor with manual-focus override. It accepts Sigma APO teleconverters.
On our test camera, the Nikon D3s, the lens seems large, but it’s actually average in length for the class, if a few ounces heavier than the comparable full-frame Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS and Nikon 105mm f/2.8G VR Micro- Nikkor. Its broad focusing ring offers a generous 160-degree turning radius for relatively fine manual focus. It does not, however, deliver the precise focus possible with the Nikon’s 230-degree turn.
Sigma has marked this 105mm well, although the dark-red subject distance scale for feet is difficult to read, even in good light.
On our optical test bench, the lens delivered Excellent SQF data, and our field tests concurred with faultless sharpness and contrast. Its numbers came in slightly above the Canon’s, but below those of the comparable Nikon. Ironically, the sharpest of all our recently tested full-frame macros was by far the least expensive: the $470 Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro. (It lacks s