Sigma EX 50mm f/2.8 macro DG Lens Review & Sample Photos

One of the spin-offs of the increasing popularity of digital SLRs has been the realisation that some lenses simply weren’t up to the job of imaging onto the ultra-fiat surfaces of CCD or CMOS sensors. The up-shot is a whole new generation of digitally optimized Lenses which incorporate the very latest in optical design and technology, The Great news is that You can benefit from these developments regardless of whether you shoot with a 35mm or a digital SLR.

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The new 5omm DG-series macro is a good example of the thought sigma is putting into its new products, these are lenses that you really want now rather than thinking that you might need one day. The digital design aspects of the new 50mm macro include a newly- developed multi-coating which is designed to reduce the ghosting caused by reflections from a sensors surface. Sigma calls this ‘Super Multi-layer’ coating or SML for shot. A ‘floating’ internal focusing system minimizes aberrations across the focusing range which, obviously, is very long (18.9 cm to infinity).

At its minimum focusing distance, the 50mm T2.8 macro delivers 1:1 or lifesize reproduction which means objects as small as 35mm can be reproduced full size when shooting with a 35mm format camera.

Given depth-of-field is often critical in close-up photography, the Sigma lens has a minimum aperture of f/32 on the Pentax and Nikon mount versions, f/45 on the Sigma, Canon and Konica Minolta mount versions.
If you’re using autofocusing, a Limiter switch enables the focusing range to be reduced for faster operation. This makes a Cot of sense, because in most macro situations, the operating range required is only small

Speaking of small, the Sigma 50mm DG-series macro is exceptionally compact, being a mere 64 mm in length and 71.4 mm in diameter. Even with the barrel fully extended at the focusing distance, length is still under 100 mm. Weighing in at a mere 315 grams, this lens becomes a realistic proposition for the bushwalker who wouldn’t have previously contemplated carrying anything heavier just for ‘specialist’ applications. Mind Your once you have the Sigma lens fitted, ifs remarkable just how mach you can find to photograph close-up… there’s a whole world of new subject matter.

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