New macro option - Sigma 150mm

I am quite excited about this lens? Particularly for giving a greater working distance on small, shy critters.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04092204...es.asp#press150

Any thoughts?

Alex

Alex? Anybody?

I'm thinking of getting a macro lens. But I have limited my thinking to 60 mm lenses as I am concerned about 1) being able to find subjects at higher magnifications and 2) shake.

Are these real concerns? Or is there some magic in the 150 mm lenses that makes these non issues?

Interesting indeed.

Presumably the "high-speed" refers to the HSM motor focusing, not to the maximum aperture, as there are already f2.8 macro/micro lenses out there.

The working distance of the Sigma at 1:1 is 15 inches, an additional three inches on the 105mm Nikkor. The Sigma is 79.6mm diameter and 137mm long, weighing in at a fairly hefty 895 grams. The Nikkor is the same diameter, an inch shorter, and weighs half as much.

I'm not sure I see the great benefit HSM focusing speed, for the way I usually work with a macro lens, setting the focus then moving the camera.

Proof of the pudding will be in the images I suppose, and it will be interesting to see the response of Nikon to this lens (if any). The nikkor 60 and 105's have been rebated for a while, makes me wonder if there may be ED +/- AFS versions in the future.