General impressions:
First of all, it is important to know that there is no such a thing as a bad macro lens. This one is of course no exception. There are basic 3 typical focal lengths for macro lenses. The short macro lenses, 50-60mm typically, the medium range, 90-105mm and the longer lenses, 150-180mm. This one is a medium length and hence relatively versatile: it can be used for product photography, portrait, bugs, flowers... and is relatively compact. The lens extends a lot when used as a macro lens (almost gets twice as long, limiting the actual working distance). The sun hood is a cylinder you have to screw on the front element as a filter. When mounted, you cannot use the lens cap anymore. That design is really not ideal. The finishing of the lens is typical for Sigma (grey coating, a bit fragile, can peel off). The lens allows a magnification factor of 1:1 like many real macro lenses. Optically speaking, it is an excellent package, I didn't see any color aberration, vignetting or distortion. A small macro lens I would recommend but not above the Tamron 90mm or the Tokina 100mm, similar performers for a similar price. I also own a Nikkor 105 VR, an even better performer with the added value of the VR (stabilization), not really useful for macro but very useful for street photography, portrait or close-ups.
Pros
- super
sharp lens
- excellent optics
- reasonably priced
- delivered with caps, sunhood
- AF limiter switch (whole range or
limited)
Cons
- build
quality is average to good
- AF a bit noisy (but most macro shots
are MF)
- screw type sun hood
- no pouch
- extending a lot
(length doubles) at 1:1
Also have a look at the Nikkor 105 VR review.
A few examples:
