New Sigma APO Macro 150mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

With all the interest in the D2X a few other interesting announcements have been somewhat overlooked. This new lens by Sigma has caught my attention.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/Html/150dg.htm

If Nikon isn't going to give us a new AF-S macro lens in the near future I may have to give it some serious consideration.

Larry

Nice! Thanks for the heads up Larry. This may be a good lens for the FF Kodak for us shooters used to the 1.5x crop...:-) Full time manual focus over-ride would be nice to have too.

Cheers

James

...and very fast at f/2.8 (for AF). Could add a 1.4x converter and still have f/4. Then it would work like the 200 but with 40% more magnification without resorting to a diopter. I'd like to try this lens, too.

Full time manual focus over-ride would be nice to have too.  

This is a feature I would love to have.

The specs are interesting, as is the reported price of $299.

I can't seem to find a review though. Wonder how sharp it is in comparison to the 105 with a 2x convertor...

Seems like it would be a good lens for low light macro.

The specs are interesting, as is the reported price of $299.

 

I can't seem to find a review though.  Wonder how sharp it is in comparison to the 105 with a 2x convertor...

I have not seen a price or even a date when this lens will be available so I'm not sure where you got the $299 pricetag. That seems a little low. The lens was just announced so I don't think anyone has got one to test yet

I searched the net...

There were two references to a $299 price tag. I will try and reproduce that search and see how reliable the sources were.

I was just hoping that someone had a pre-release version and a test ready to go at "anouncement time". That of course I was NOT able to find.

What does:

full time manual focus override

mean? Does it mean that this works like M/A mode on a DX lens? That you can switch between autofocus or manual focus without changing anything on the body or lens, just turn the focus barrel?

If so, this would be a great thing. Then I probably could use this in an Ikelite housing and use the zoom gear for focusing. The lens dimensions are: 3.1 in dia by 5.4 in long which would fit in the 5505.5 flat port or the 5505.58 for sure:

#5505.5 .. Lens length less than 5.5" (14cm)

#5505.58 Lens length less than 6.1" (15.5cm)

 

Maximum lens diameter is limited to 8.4cm (3.3"). The diameter for attachment of zoom or focus clamps is limited to 7.1cm (2.8").  

Perhaps a special zoom clamp could be made (like the 12-24mm gear) to accomidate the diameter.

Looks exciting. Anyone know if the new Sigma 50 or 100mm macros can do the same thing?