A telephoto Macro lens with a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture that will allow frame-filling shots without having to get too close.

Good resolution; Low levels of chromatic aberrations; Fast AF; Great build quality; Internal focus design; Price

Loss of contrast when shooting into the light

Originally published March 2005. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Sigma's first from-the-ground-up digitally optimized macro lens (i.e., not retrofitted for digital application) throws a full-frame image circle. Result?

Sigma APO MACRO 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM is one of five dedicated macro lenses that the company currently offers in its lineup. The lens is available in Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Four Thirds mounts.

So you're seriously thinking about this lens ... what else might be useful to know? Here are some ideas for extending the effectiveness of this remarkable lens and getting the best out of macro lenses in general (part 1 here ) With the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM on a D300 body and Nikon R1C1...

This is the perfect focal length for timid subjects like insects, allowing a practical working distance that minimises the risk of frightening them away. Despite its focal length and fast maximum aperture, the lens has quite a compact design.

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Macro Lens delivers excellent image quality in a relatively long focal length (for a macro lens) at a very reasonable price . The image quality a lens is capable of presenting to the camera's sensor is typically the biggest concern I have with a lens.

While searching for a new portrait lens I saw Sigma's APO MACRO 150mm f/2.8 on their website. But wait, you say, this is a macro lens, not a portrait lens! Here's my thinking: Any portrait photographer out there worth his light meter will gladly extol the virtues of a long, fast lens for...

The Sigma AF 150mm f/2.8 EX HSM DG APO macro OS is certainly among the very best macro lenses that we've tested here at photozone. It delivered great results in our full format test already and it is not worse in the APS-C format despite the comparatively higher pixel density of our base DSLR.

The Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM Macro lens costs around £560 and has a bright maximum aperture of f/2.8, internal focus design, silent Hyper Sonic focus motor, with full-time manual override and allows for 1:1 magnification at its closest focus distance.

Good resolution; Low levels of chromatic aberrations; Fast AF; Great build quality; Internal focus design; Price

Loss of contrast when shooting into the light

sharpness, fast, os and stability

f2.8 - f4 values; vignetting in the corners

very sharp; clear; no chromatic aberration; fast autofocus; optical stabiliser; stability