Sigma 150mm f/2.8 OS Macro
 

Anyone have any idea when this is likely to be released. It was announced back in September and I'm in the market for a longer macro lens.
This one appeals thanks to the OS, although the non-OS version also tempts me.

Or does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions?

Remember that just like the Nikon and to a lesser extent the new Canon 100mm IS lens. Optical/IS/VR or indeed in body IS does not work when shooting Macro. Obviously fine when uses as a short telephoto lens.

[QUOTE=hssutton;26509]Remember that just like the Nikon and to a lesser extent the new Canon 100mm IS lens. Optical/IS/VR or indeed in body IS does not work when shooting Macro. Obviously fine when uses as a short telephoto lens.[/QUOTE]

Slightly OT - but the IS in Canon's new 100mm L macro does work when shooting in macro mode. You get 2 stops of stabilisation at 1x magnification, 3 stops at 0.5x and 4 stops during normal shooting.

Actually I worded my first post a little ambiguously, what I was wanting to say is that Canons 100mm IS works a little better that the others which do not work in macro. Nikon make the point of informing it's users to switch off the IS and use a tripod when shooting 1:1.

However in my experience of using the Canon for the past year on a 7D the IS is nowhere near as good as Canons quoted figures. Up the shutter speed to around 1/250th with high speed Sync flash and servo focus then you're then ok.

Just a point on the sync speed of the 7D, it's rather hit and miss if normal flash is used at 1/250th, often producing a black bar at the bottom of the frame.

Harry

Well I use the VR on my Nikon 105mm macro with or without the 1.4 converter and it works fine. :D

Quote from the Nikon manual "As the reproduction ratio increases from 1/30x , the effects of vibration reduction gradually decrease." Nikon also state to use a tripod at 1:1 and to turn off VR, when using a tripod.

Canon say you get 2 stops @ 1:1, but don't believe it.

I've also had very good results handholding at 1:1, but not consistantly.

[QUOTE=hssutton;26557]Quote from the Nikon manual "As the reproduction ratio increases from 1/30x , the effects of vibration reduction gradually decrease." Nikon also state to use a tripod at 1:1 and to turn off VR, when using a tripod.

Canon say you get 2 stops @ 1:1, but don't believe it.

I've also had very good results handholding at 1:1, but not consistantly.[/QUOTE]

I know it says that but, on one occasion I knocked the VR switch into the off position and got blurred shots, was fine when I put it back on. :D

Here are two examples of Southern Hawker Dragonflies taken with the Nikon 105mm F2.8 VR macro plus 1.4 converter. VR was on and they were handheld. :D

[IMG]http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/oldboy/dsc-6522-dragonfly-vr.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.photoradar.com/files/imagecache/original_large/photos/users/oldboy/dsc-6547-dragonfly-vr.jpg[/IMG]

But surely you wouldn't have VR enabled at any time when this lens was mounted on a tripod, irrespective of what focal length you were shooting with, when shooting stationary or slow moving subjects. VR/IS reduces vibration from the operator, not the subject matter, so conversely VR/IS should be turned on when using hand held for the majority of the time.

Exceptions are few, but an example could be when the shutter speed is fast enough, turning VR/IS off may improve auto focus time. However, how many times do you complete a full shutter release without having half pressed the release button first to pre focus the subject? Other than when continuous shooting and tracking focus (AI focus mode for Canon users) is enabled, I can see no other reason to turn VR/IS off when hand held. In fact Canon have two settings for IS on their top of the range lenses that specificaly allows IS to be utilised to aid panning when shooting moving objects. This setting reduces camera shake in just one plane, be it horizontal or vertical, but not both at the same time.

Be very interested to hear how good the Sigma 150 F2.8 OS is when used as a macro lens. I wonder what distance away from the subject matter can be attained at a 1:1 ratio?

[QUOTE=rbarry;26569]But surely you wouldn't have VR enabled at any time when this lens was mounted on a tripod, irrespective of what focal length you were shooting with, when shooting stationary or slow moving subjects. VR/IS reduces vibration from the operator, not the subject matter, so conversely VR/IS should be turned on when using hand held for the mojority of the time.

[/QUOTE]

When on a tripod I leave VR switched on unless using a remote, as pressing the shutter button can cause slight movement. :D