Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM APO Macro Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras from Digital Camera Showroom

Taking picture of small animals & insects can be difficult, because they often run or fly away, or can be dangerous or become aggressive if you approach them. Therefore it is advantageous to have a greater working distance between the camera & such subjects. Longer focal length lens can provide this greater distance, but most long lens do not focus close enough to provide a large image of small subjects.The tele-macro type lens solves this problem by producing a large, high quality image, up to life-size, while maintaining a long working distance. This can enable you to capture on film the world of photomicrography.The 180mm F3.5 APO MACRO lens has a very narrowfield of view, & can allow very narrow depth-of-field for selective focus and less distracting backgrounds. This lens is most desirable for photographers who are serious about producing high quality images both of macro subjects at life-size reproduction, as well as normal telephotography. The Floating Inner Focus System of the APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX HSM provides highquality optical performance and superior handling & stability. This system moves two lens groups within the lens, so the lens' physical length remains unchanged. This technique also maintains good correction for Spherical Aberration and Astigmatism, and provides extremely high optical performance frominfinity to 1:1 Macro. Macro photography requires precise focus adjustment. The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) feature is ideal fo

Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM ...- User Rating:
Summary for Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM ...- Wow, I mean WOW!
Notes on Sigma 180mm f/3.5 EX DG IF HSM ...- This is one fantastic lens. It is BIG, built like TWO TANKS, and takes gorgeous gorgeous shots. I bought this lens after a year or so of excellent results from its smaller sibling, the venerable 105mm macro. I thought it would be useful to get the extra working distance that the 180 affords. I can say with certainty that the longer focal length is a dream come true. You get so close up to your subject without being right "in it." I had imagined that this would be a "tripod only" lens as it is hard to hold a large lens steady. I have been amazed at my hand held shots coupled with my Konica Minolta 5d (in body image stabilization surely helps!). I have taken excellent tack sharp images hand held with shutter speeds as low as 1/25 at ISO 100. I don't regard myself as a particularly steady hand either. Color is great, sharpness is superb, accessories (case, hood, & tripod collar) are all first rate. Most importantly, photo colleagues are as enthusiastic as I am (more so I suppose) about the results. You won't be disappointed if you can find one for your KM 5d, 7d, or Sony A100! By the way, them Minolta /Sony mount of this lens is NOT HSM, you know that. AF with macro lenses is tough anyway, you know that, right? Right! Even without HSM, AF is better than on the 105mm. Enjoy!

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