The Sigma 150mm Macro is the biggest beast on the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens lineup. Sigma made this lens for Sigma
It has the biggest physical dimension as well as the longest range on the “Fantastic Four” Macro lens lineup.
Also, this is the only lens on the lineup that has an HSM motor which means it can autofocus with Nikon entry level DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100 camera.
The focal length is great for photographers demanding greater distance when shooting macro such as insect photography.
It is also great for portrait and moderate sports photography.
In terms of optical performance, it is of the highest quality standards, which is why this lens belong to the “Fantastic Four” Sigma lens lineup.
It is sharp and has close to 0 optical defect.
Build quality is also great, typical of a Sigma EX lens.
If you are into shooting insect or any kind of macro photography where you require great working distance, then this is the lens to get.
Great for macro as well and sports. This lens will definitely appeal to both professional and amateur macro photographers alike.
See my full Sigma 150mm Macro review below to study more about this lens.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 150mm Macro Specs
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Official Name:
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro
Focal Length Markings:
150mm
Features:
EX – Excellent – Sigma’s designation for their high end lenses.
APO – Apochromatic- Sigma’s technology to control chromatic aberration. Lenses with this term has a better chromatic aberration control.
DG – Compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
HSM – HyperSonic Motor – Sigma’s smooth and fast autofocusing technology. Very similar to Canon’s USM. Lens with this designation can autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
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 | 12 / 16 |
| Angle of View | 16.4 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 15in. (0.38m) |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
| Weight | 31.6oz. (895g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.1 x 5.4in. (79.6 x 137mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:1 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Olympus |
Optical Performance
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Sigma 150mm Macro Sharpness
This lens is very sharp both on the center and on the borders.
The optimal aperture is f/5.6. This is the lens’ “sweet spot.”
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 150mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 150mm | Great | Great | Great | Great | Great | Good | Good |
Distortion
Being a macro lens, distortion is non-existent on this lens. You can safely ignore it.
See the distortion test result for this Sigma 150mm Macro lens below.
Sigma 150mm Macro Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is also very well controlled. It is barely noticeable at f/2.8 and can be ignored at the rest of the aperture.
See the vignetting test results below.
Sigma 150mm Macro Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is handled flawlessly on this lens.
It is not visible at any apertures.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX APO DG HSM Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 150mm | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
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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.
The lens also comes with a sturdy tripod mount.
Focusing
The autofocus is quite decent, but not overly fast. It will take some time for the autofocus to go from one extreme to the other (typical of macro lens).
To prevent this, Sigma installed a focus limiter switch which you should absolutely use if you are not shooting macro.
The lens does not extend during focusing nor does the front element rotate.
Note that the lens will lose around 1.5 to 2 stops when you set it to the minimum focusing distance which is quite common among macro lenses that utilize an IF (Internal Focusing) mechanism.
The lens has an HSM motor which means it WILL 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.
This lens is also compatible with the 1.4x and 2x teleconverters. When used with the 1.4x, the focal length will be transformed to 210mm f/4 and when used with a 2x, the focal length will be 300mm f/5.6.
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
Conclusion
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Below are my conclusion from this Sigma 150mm Macro review.
This lens is the largest, in terms of physical dimension and focal length on the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens lineup.
It shares the positive characteristics shared among Sigma Macro lenses: Sharp optics with no optical defects.
Build quality is very good and this lens was a joy to use.
It has something unique that all other Sigma macro lenses do not have: an HSM motor.
This HSM motor will allow you to autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
If you are looking to get a macro lens with long reach to shoot insects or want to use it for sports photography sometimes, then this is the lens to get.
This lens is also great when used with Nikon entry level DSLR although I think it will dwarf the camera and it won’t balance well.
Drawbacks
- HSM motor can be faster
Positives
- Very sharp on the center and borders at any aperture
- Distortion is non-existent
- Vignetting is very well controlled
- Negligible chromatic aberration at any aperture
- Nice build and crinkle finish
- Amazing value for money
- Great reach
- HSM motor means it will autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR camera
- Compatible with Sigma’s teleconverter (1.4x and 2x) should one want extra reach
Good For
- Serious macro photography
- Shooting macro when long working distance is needed (insect, etc.)
- Moderate sports photography
Not So Good For
- Anything other than the above
What Others Are Saying…
by “Jayesh Sukumaran”
I had a Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro and it was working quite well for me but I longed for a little more working distance. When Sigma came out with the 150mm f2.8 Macro, I tried researching it but couldn’t find much info because it…
Click here to see the full review
by “Houston Wildlife”
I’ve owned this lens for about 5 months now, and it is exceptional. Sharpness and color rendition are spot on and it is difficult to imagine any improvement (this lens really is tack sharp, it is a bit sharper than the 600mm IS)…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 150mm 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, Olympus) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon)
To see the related Sigma macro lens review, make sure you check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this Sigma 150mm Macro lens review and I will catch you around!
The Sigma 150mm Macro is the biggest beast on the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens lineup. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon and O…
The Sigma 150mm Macro is the biggest beast on the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens lineup. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon and O…
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