The Sigma 105 f/2.8 Macro

[Nikonfreak]

Saturday, everyone decided that it was macro day so we decided to go on and take a ride over to a local haunt of ours called "Butterfly World"

You take about 3,500 butterflies, according to their claims, put them in a huge, screened in environment with no natural predators, toss in some hummingbirds and you have a macro photographer's dream world.... with one exception....

No tripods or monopods allowed at all.

So, with the Kirk fb8 macro flash bracket, the D200, the Sigma 105 f/2.8 Macro, an SB 800, and some luck.... we venture forth.

I try to look hard for a reason to want the newest, latest and greatest 105 VR macro from Nikon, but I just can't seem to find a really good reason, even shooting handheld, which would normally rob you of precious sharpness.... The Sigma 105 macro shines.

http://www.pbase.com/loansharkx/image/62479291

http://www.pbase.com/loansharkx/image/62020321

These two are images shot this weekend. Both are aperature priority shots, SB 800 on TTL mode, and aperature usually somewhere between f/8 and f/11 is where I shoot butterflies. ISO usually somewhere around 160 to 200, maybe jaunting up to 400 if the conditions are right (or wrong as the case may be).

For $300 or somewhere in the neighborhood, the Sigma 105 f/2.8 Macro really performs very very well and won't do any permanent damage to any relationships or pocketbooks. If you want to take a shot at macro and aren't that sure about it, take a peek at this little gem offered by Sigma. It's really sweet.

Julio

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I know what you mean. I love this lens. Couple of nice shots there.

Here is a linik to the newest thread for the space shuttle launch.

http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,11038.0.html

[DeadSmiley]

Beautiful shots. I have the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory two hours from me and I'm aching to go.

I just got the Sigma 105 macro two weeks ago and love it. I borrowed the Nikon 105 from a friend and spent a day with it beforehand and I have to admit that the Sigma gives as much bang for your buck if not more than the Nikon.