What is the Magnification with Sigma 150mm + TC1.4x

Hi,

I am thinking to buy a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro to replace my Canon 100mm Macro. This lense will provide 1:1 magnification focusing at 38cm. So my doubt is about the magnification after add a TC 1.4x ?

Cheers. Fabio.

The maximum magnification with 150mm with a 1.4x TC is exactly the same as a 100mm with a 1.4x TC: 1.4:1

you will have a 210mm f/4 lens with a min focus of 38cm and a repro of 1.4:1

Thanks folks..

I am not satisfact with Canon 100mm Macro and I am looking for something more sharp than canon unit. But some times I need a magnification of 2:1 and lenght of 150mm plus TC2x will be a bit long.

I will try to do some tests with 150mm plus extension tubes or the closeup 500D.

Thanks. Fabio.

While I have yet to try to house this combo to use underwater, here is a photo taken with my "land" macro setup. (I put land in quotes because the subject is still underwater...)

Canon 5D

Sigma 150mm macro

Kenko 1.4x TC

Canon 500D

This results in 1.9x magnification

Here is a 100% crop: (the scale bar is in mm)

Willian,

Interesting result. Have you tried an extension tube ? Will the ET provide better image quality than 500D ?

Thanks

In theory an extension tube should have better image quality, but due to the way extension tubes work, they are really only practical for short focal length lenses.

On a telephoto lens, it takes a LOT of extension to make an impact. If you were just using extenstion tubes, it would take 150mm of extension tubes to bring the 150mm lens to 2x magnification. If you use the 1.4x TC, you would not need as much, but still, sticking one tube on there will not do a lot.

Also, unlike diopters, extension tubes suck up light. It is hard enough to get the focus right underwater when the DOF is < 1mm thick, doing so with a black viewfinder is even harder.

In practice, I think you will find that you get better results with a diopter than with extension tubes.

Thanks folks..

 

I am not satisfact with Canon 100mm Macro and I am looking for something more sharp than canon unit. But some times I need a magnification of 2:1 and lenght of 150mm plus TC2x will be a bit long.

 

I will try to do some tests with 150mm plus extension tubes or the closeup 500D.

 

Thanks. Fabio.

More sharp than the Canon 100 macro? that is going some, since it is one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes. I use the lens a lot both above and below water and never had any concerns about sharpness. Diffraction limits sharpness at f16 and smaller but between f8 and f16 my copy of the lens is super sharp. THe MTF data support the general view that this is a very sharp lens.

Bill

My 100mm is also super sharp.

Watch out, I suspect with the 1.4x on the 150mm you may have some auto focus issues, I have a 5DII and with a Kenko 1.4 and the Sigma 150mm autofocus does not work. Fortunately I don't need the 1.4x with this lens. (I think I once read something about taping a couple of contacts to get it to work?)

I've also tried extension tubes, as said, too much needed, diopter/close-up lens is probably the way to go if you need to get closer.

Aengus

I have a 5DII and with a Kenko 1.4 and the Sigma 150mm autofocus does not work. Fortunately I don't need the 1.4x with this lens. (I think I once read something about taping a couple of contacts to get it to work?)

That is odd, AF works fine with Kenko 1.5 and Sigma 150mm with a 5D. Sounds like the 5D II has taken a step backwards in AF ability.

More sharp than the Canon 100 macro? that is going some, since it is one of the sharpest lenses Canon makes. I use the lens a lot both above and below water and never had any concerns about sharpness. Diffraction limits sharpness at f16 and smaller but between f8 and f16 my copy of the lens is super sharp. THe MTF data support the general view that this is a very sharp lens.

Bill

Hi Bill,

I am using the 100mm Macro with my 5D and 5DMK2 and with both cameras the image looks not sharpen when compared with my Canon 180mm Macro or the Nikon VR100mm Macro or Nikon 105mm Macro on a D200 body. I already tested another 100mm units with the same perception.

That´s the reason I am looking another options.

Thanks. Fabio.

Hi Bill,

I am using the 100mm Macro with my 5D and 5DMK2 and with both cameras the image looks not sharpen when compared with my Canon 180mm Macro or the Nikon VR100mm Macro or Nikon 105mm Macro on a D200 body. I already tested another 100mm units with the same perception.

 

That´s the reason I am looking another options.

 

Thanks. Fabio.

I haven't looked at the canon 180. But comparing the 100 macro on full frame to the Nikon on cropped frame might be part of the problem. In my case at least the Canon 100 macro on the 40D/50D is a tiny bit sharper than the Nikon 105VR on the D300. In any case, good luck with the 180.

Bill

I would disagree with Acroporas when he says the due to the way they work, extension tubes would not work well with the Sigma 150 macro lens. I did a small bit of shooting with the Sigma 150 plus extension tubes during a recent trip to South Australia. The Sigma 150 plus 56mm (a 36mm tube + a 20mm tube) of Kenko tubes gives a magnification range of about .33x (when lens is at infinity) to 1.85x when lens is at minimum focus. With 2 36mm tubes (72mm total) the magnification range is about .44x ~ 2.1x. I shot a roll with each combination on my F5 and was quite pleased wih the results, especially at the closer distances and higher magnifications.

Divegypsy