This will be a review of the amazing Sigma 50mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma
As of this date, Sigma have made four macro lenses and I call them the “Fantastic Four” macro lenses.
Why?
Because for the cheap price, you’ll get optical perfection!
And this lens belong to the “Fantastic Four” group.
All four lenses are extremely sharp, have good distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting control and also very affordable.
All you need to decide is the focal length.
If you are just starting out with macro photography, I would recommend you get this lens.
It will give you the perfect focal length to experiment with different subject. Use this lens first to get a grip of the type of macro photography that you will be shooting and then make your upgrade decision accordingly.
Read on the full Sigma 50mm below to see why this lens belong to the “Fantastic Four” category.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 50mm Macro Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Focal Length Markings:
50mm
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 | 9 / 10 |
| Angle of View | 46.8 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32-45 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 7.4in. |
| Filter Thread | 55mm |
| Weight | 11oz. (320g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 2.8 x 2.5in. (71.5 x 64mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:7.4 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 50mm Macro Sharpness
On the center of the lens, this lens is very sharp even at the maximum aperture of f/2.8.
On the borders, this lens is very sharp as well, complementing the center sharpness.
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 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 50mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Good |
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 50mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Good |
Distortion
Distortion is non-existent on this lens.
See the distortion test result for this Sigma 50mm Macro lens below.
Sigma 50mm Macro Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is extremely well controlled on this lens. Even at f/2.8 you can barely notice it. Well done Sigma!
See the vignetting test results below.
Sigma 50mm Macro Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Just like the vignetting, chromatic aberration is handled flawlessly on this lens.
It is negligible at any apertures.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/1.4 | f/2 | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 50mm | Negligible | 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. The autofocus speed is just average in my opinion (typical for most macro lenses).
The Sigma provides a focus limiter on this lens which will be very helpful when you use this lens for non-macro shots.
The length will grow longer when you focus towards closer distance. The front element is an on-rotating one so you can use polarizing filter with this lens.
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
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Here are the conclusions for this Sigma 50mm Macro review.
If you’ve read the full test result, you know why this lens belong to Sigma’s “Fantastic Four” macro lens lineup.
For the price, it offers excellent sharpness, negligible distortion, excellent vignetting and chromatic aberration control.
I would recommend this lens for anyone who wants to get into macro photography or looking for a good, sharp prime lens.
I really can’t name a downside for this lens. However, I have heard few folks mentioning about backfocusing. I haven’t experienced this myself so they probably just got a bad sample.
Below are the summarized conclusion for this lens:
Drawbacks
- None from my personal experience
Positives
- Sharp on the center and borders at any aperture
- Distortion is negligible
- Vignetting is superbly controlled
- Chromatic aberration is negligible at any aperture
- Nice build and crinkle finish
- Quick enough autofocus
- Amazing value for money
Good For
- All around macro photography shooting
- Portrait lens when used with cropped sensor DSLR
- Normal, walk around lens when used with full frame DSLR
Not So Good For
- Anything that requires fast focusing such as sports photography
What Others Are Saying…
by “Airlee Owens”
Excellent lens! I recently purchased the Nikon D200 camera. I had several nice zoom lenses but I did not have anything which would take macro close-up photos. I did some research and found good reviews for this lens. So I got it…
Click here to see the full review
by “R. Hall”
I recently purchased a Sony A300 and was looking for an affordable lens for photographing plants and flowers close up as the kit lens that came with the camera is unsatisfactory for macro photography…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 50mm 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) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon
Sony, Pentax)
To see the related Sigma macro lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 50mm Macro lens review and I will catch you in the next one!
This will be a review of the amazing Sigma 50mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax DSLR camera.
As o…
This will be a review of the amazing Sigma 50mm Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax DSLR camera.
As o…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
Have I Helped You?
Do you find this post helpful and think that you should have paid to read it?
If so, you can help me in return to keep the good karma flowing.
All you need to do is visit one of my partner from any of the links here: Amazon
I'd be thankful if you can drop them a visit. I'd be even more thankful when you actually purchase anything from them. It can anything be it camera, lens, TV or even underwear.
The funds that I got from them is what I will use to pay for this site's maintenance so people like you can get access to great information for free.
Now, If you don't want to purchase anything but want to drop some tips as a token of appreciation, I'll be more than happy to receive $5 donation from you. You can make the donation by clicking on the donate button below.
For those of you who have helped, I consider you my family in this vast photography world. Thank you very much!
I hope to be able to keep sharing my knowledge and expertise with you and you'll always have my best interest in mind.
Best,
Andrew Suryono
P.S: If you are into social media, join me on Facebook and Twitter from the link below. Don't be shy!
Andrew Suryono | Create Your Badge
|
