SIGMA 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM MACRO Vs AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Bear Dale

Senior Member
Does anyone have any feedback on these two lenses?

SIGMA 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM MACRO Vs AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Many thanks.
 

Bear Dale

Senior Member
Just googled them, geez they are a LOT cheaper than Nikon glass (or Canon for that matter).

How do you find it not having VR?
 
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lokatz

Senior Member
Hi Quintrex, As you probably know, I often refer to German photo mag ColorFoto. They test in a lab under carefully controlled conditions, always using the same cameras and exact same targets, and overall making sure things remain comparable. Problem is, they did not test the Nikon 105 with VR yet.

Nevertheless, there are hints: on Nikon's D800, the Sigma received the highest score they ever awarded to a macro, an 88, which is 17.5 points above average across all lenses for Nikon. Nikon's predecessor lens, the 105/2.8 VR G ED Micro, scored a measly 65.5. Because of this, I find it very unlikely for the new VR version to outperform the Sigma. For comparison, Tokina's 100mm got 79.5 points, no slouch either but not quite at the Sigma level.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
I have a Sigma without VR and I find it amazing. I don't miss VR at all since I try to use a monopod when shooting macros.
 

Texas

Senior Member
I sold both my Tamron 90 and Sigma 105, neither VR, both AF. The Sigma was a lot more fun to use and, in manual, the focus ring and focus motion was superior.

Sold both to fund lenses that get lots more use. I consider several of my lenses to be 'good enough' macro, given my dislike of bugs.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
I have the Nikon with VR--it is excellent. Jake has the Sigma with OS, and his photos are stellar. Nikon *should* have some type of holiday sale starting either at the end of November or beginning of December if you are s US resident. Sometimes they only offer body/lens combo deals, but sometimes they also list lenses separately. When I got mine, it was a body/lens combo deal. The overall cost of the lens was maybe $30 or so more than the sale price of the Sigma.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Quintrex, one thing to keep in mind is Nikon seems to be trying to make its customers stick with Nikon lenses. The older non-Nikon digital lenses won't always work well with the newer Nikon bodies if they aren't lenses that connect to a dock. Sigma's newer lenses connect to a dock for firmware updates. The older lenses that don't connect to a dock have to be sent back to Sigma for firmware updates because they can be spotty with their performance.
 

Nero

Senior Member
I've heard the Tamron 90mm is better overall than the Sigma 105mm, plus it's cheaper. The Sigma lens still looks great though.
 
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