Another step up from the Sigma 50mm and 70mm is this Sigma 105mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon
If you’ve read my previous post on Sigma 50mm and 70mm, you know that I talked about the “Fantastic Four” gang of Sigma Macro lenses.
This is another member of the gang 
Basically, to join the gang the lens needs to have the following characteristics: excellent optics, great build, cheap price.
This lens has all of them.
Optically, it is very sharp, has great distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting control.
Build quality is also excellent.
The only downside on this lens is that the autofocus speed is decent due to the absence of an internal focusing motor (HSM Motor).
Hence, this lens won’t autofocus with Nikon entry level DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
If you are not using a Nikon entry level DSLR, this is a fantastic Macro lens to get if you want to save money buying the more expensive Micro Nikkor lens.
See the complete Sigma 105mm Macro review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 105mm Macro Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Focal Length Markings:
105mm
Features:
EX – Excellent – Sigma’s designation for their high end lenses.
DG – Compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Macro – Special lens for close up and macro photography. This lens is a true Macro lens with 1:1 magnification ratio.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 10 / 11 |
| Angle of View | 23.3 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22-45 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 4.7in. (0.12m) |
| Filter Thread | 58mm |
| Weight | 15.9oz. (450g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.1 x 3.7in. (74 x 95mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:1 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 105mm Macro Sharpness
This lens is very sharp on the center at any aperture.
Border sharpness also have the same characteristics as the center sharpness. It is very sharp at any apertures as well.
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/5.6.
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 105mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great |
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 105mm | Great | Great | Great | Excellent | Great |
Distortion
Being a macro lens, distortion is kept to the minimum on this lens.
You can safely ignore it.
See the distortion test result for this Sigma 105mm Macro lens below.
Sigma 105mm Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is just slightly visible at f/2.8. At the other apertures, you will not be able to see the vignetting at all.
See the vignetting test results below.
Sigma 105mm Macro Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is kept to a minimum on this lens. Sigma did a fantastic job in controlling chromatic aberration on this lens.
You can safely ignore chromatic aberration at any aperture. See the results below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 |
| 105mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Just like the EX name implies, the build quality of this lens is “Excellent.”
It is made from metal with the typical Sigma’s nice crinkle finish.
Focusing
The focus ring operates smoothly. Autofocus speed is pretty decent and accurate.
The front element does not rotate so you can easily use a polarizing filter.
There is a feature on this lens called Dual Focus (DF) mechanism which allows you to decouple the focusing ring from the focusing gear via a pull push mechanism.
Note that this is not an HSM lens which means it will not autofocus when used with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
Image Stabilization
There is no Optical Stabilization built into the lens.
Compatibility
Being a DG lens, this lens is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
The following are some images taken with this lens. Click any of them to enlarge the image.
Get the best price online from Amazon: Sigma, Nikon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Below are my conclusions for this Sigma 105mm Macro review.
As usual, you can only expect good things from a Sigma macro lens. This lens is another member of the “Fantastic Four” gang of the Sigma macro lens.
In terms of optical performance, it is simply superb. This lens is very sharp on the center and on the borders.
In terms of build quality, it is also built from high quality materials, typical of any Sigma EX lens. The focusing mechanism is pretty decent but it is very accurate.
The best part is that this lens is priced very well for the quality that you are getting.
Bottom line is: you can’t go wrong with any Sigma macro lens. All you need to figure out is which focal length you will most likely use and grab one.
Drawbacks
- Decent autofocus speed
Positives
- Very sharp on the center and borders at any aperture
- Great distortion control
- Excellent vignetting control
- Chromatic aberration is negligible at any aperture
- Great build and crinkle finish
- Accurate autofocus
- Amazing value for money
Good For
- Macro photographers who needs the extra length from 50mm or 70mm
- Portrait lens
- Sports photography
Not So Good For
- Your daily walk around lens – this lens is made for photographers with specific purpose in mind
What Others Are Saying…
by “M. Olson”
Of all my Four-Thirds compatible lenses this has become a favorite. The Sigma is sharp, reasonably compact and features an actual manual focus mode. Yes, the 50-200mm Zuiko covers this range and is just as sharp…
Click here to see the full review
by “Michael”
I previously owned the sigma 150 macro. It was super sharp and awesome in any way, just kind of big and heavy. So I decided to get the 105mm because it’s cheaper and lighter, more likely to stay in my bag…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 105mm Macro lens from Amazon (best price online):
If the mount you’re looking for is not available on Amazon, check out B&H Photo (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus)
To see the related Sigma macro lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you got tons of value out of this Sigma 105mm Macro lens review and I will catch you in the next one!
Another step up from the Sigma 50mm and 70mm is this Sigma 105mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax and Ol…
Another step up from the Sigma 50mm and 70mm is this Sigma 105mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax and Ol…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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