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

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.

Had this lens on my 40D in past, it focuses slow, but macro is mostly manualy focussing. I tested it for portraits also, very sharp. Working distance is better than 100mm if you want to take pictures of butterfly's or other shy insects.

Very sharp; f2.8; exellent distance for shy insects; also for portraits; built like a tank

Slow AF

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...

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Strong Construction

sharpness, fast, os and stability

f2.8 - f4 values; vignetting in the corners

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

SLRgear Review May 2, 2012 by Andrew Alexander Sigma announced the 150mm ?'/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO at the 2010 Photokina, though it wasn't until later in 2011 that the lenses actually started shipping.

Needs microadjustment but when you are finished with that cumbersome work you are really rewarded. With that manual fovus and silent HSM you can film very nice macros. You need steady hands or tripod for best results. Kills my Canon 100 mm 2.8 - so I sold it. Best bang for the buck!

Sharp; Supergood feel when MF

No OS

Must have for Macro photos. This is some of the best glass available for macro 1:1 photos on the market at any price range and the fact that it cost around 1K makes it a deal.

150mm is a pretty unique focal length for a macro lens, coming up close to the very heavy and very expensive 180mm L from canon. having a longer focal length is a double edge sword, as it can give you shallower depth of field, but also can make it harder to get all your subject in focus.