[Weevil]

I searched a bit, but couldn't find any dedicated Lens Club for this lens, and I think it would deserve it...

I had the idea whil looking at my older photos in my library, I found that one and I said "WOW" Why didn't I publish this one?

I have owned over the last 4 years, three different copies of that lens... including the copy used to shoot this butterfly that was included in the package I bought to acquire my first DLSR in 2012.
I didn't knew the value of this lens, and I found it was hard to manage, Hard to nail the subject when someone is not familiar with its limitations.
But when you nail it, you are getting incredible results... (I have plenty of image now to prove that! And I'll add them to this thread)

So Let's start this new Lens Club!

This was one of the first images I made with the Pentax K20D and the Sigma EX 180mm F3.5 APO Macro DG Lens.

1/180s, f3.5, ISO 100


Papillon tigré du Canada / Canadian Tiger Swallowtail [Papilio canadensis] by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

Note that this Club is open to any versions of this lens, DG or none DG...

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Last edited by Weevil; 02-04-2017 at 10:52 AM. Reason: Removed the DG in the title to make sure it's understood that non DG versions are welcome too!

[Weevil]

Here's another one.

What's interesting about this one is that I have been contacted by Dr. Matthias Buck, Assistant Curator of Invertebrate Zoology because they'd like to use it part of a permanent exhibit about flower pollinisation in the Natural History gallery of the Royal Alberta Museum at Edmonton, Alberta in 2018.
Royal Alberta Museum : Royal Alberta Museum



Argynne cybèle / Great Spangled Fritillary [Speyeria cybele] by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

[Wild Mark]

Nice Fritillary - very good lens and getting very close to A*200/4 macro territory

[AdrianM]

A native Iris in flower in my back yard with K-1 and my newly acquired 180 f3.5.

Attached Images

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[Digitalis]

y close to A*200/4 macro territory

Close, but not quite as good.


Pentax K10 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 APO EX Macro - ISO100 1/180th f/5.6 Pentax AF160FC ringflash used@ 1/16th

[rgknief60]

they'd like to use it part of a permanent exhibit

Congratulations!

Lots of great images, everyone.

[Weevil]

Congratulations!

Lots of great images, everyone.

Thank you Roger!

Here's another one that was shot in the bushes at noon with full sun, but with the help of a diffuser


Méloé cendré / Dark Blister Beetle [Epicauta murina] by Sylvain Cote, sur Flickr

[rgknief60]

but with the help of a diffuser

Great detail. Black is normally hard to shoot. Most of my images are natural light. I got a metz a couple months ago with the idea of putting a homemade diffuser on it, but have not taken the time to do so yet. You've just provided another reason why I need to do so!

[Zivelot]

Very nice shots everyone! Can you indicate which version of the lens you are using? I have the non-DG but I heard Sigma only upgraded the coating but not the optical design.

[Digitalis]

I have the non-DG but I heard Sigma only upgraded the coating but not the optical design.

I have the non DG version as well. It does have a bit of a flare problem at certain focus distances, but otherwise it is excellent.


Pentax K1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 @ f/5.6 ISO3200 1/500th

[Weevil]

FYI, there is a Non DG version for sale on eBay for a reasonable price, it was just announced in the Pentax Price Watch Thread
Sigma 180mm f3.5 Macro on Ebay - PentaxForums.com

[Digitalis]

there is a Non DG version for sale on eBay for a reasonable price

There isn't much difference between the Non-DG and DG versions of this lens, both are excellent.


Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro APO EX - ISO 80 f/5.6 1/500th.


Pentax K-1 - Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro EX APO @ f/8 ISO200 1/400th

[Weevil]

FYI, there is a DG version for sale in the US: BIN 1000$
Sigma AF 180mm F/3.5 Macro APO EX DG IF HSM Lens For Pentax (BIN: 1K$ on eBay) - PentaxForums.com

[Weevil]

Another one just poped up from ebay;
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/94-pentax-price-watch/341595-sigma-180mm-macro-ebay.html

[Zivelot]

Blimey. That is a heavy asking price even considering it is a DG version. I was probably lucky with the £279 I paid for my non DG lens.