Hi
I've been pondering buying a Sigma 150mm or 180mm macro but I've been put off by two things: the price and the size. I like my Tamron 90mm, but it is a bit small. Anyone tried this or similar lenses with a 1.4x converter and if so what ones?
Cheers
Steve, I haven't tried your lens either with or without a converter, but can see that it is about 400g. With a 1.4x converter you would be adding between 130-225g, depending on make.
Compare that with the Sigma 150 at around 900g, and there isn't such a huge difference in weight. Neither lens would be affected much by a converter, as they are both 'bright lenses' to start with, and typically you tend to stop down anyway with macro to increase DOF. All macros tend to have excellent optics and can take a (good quality) 1.4TC with little loss of IQ.
Another thing to bear in mind, is that both the 150 & 180 have large hoods (the 180 hood is about 3-4cm longer still than the 150) which make them seem more substantial than they really are, but in reality they both seem quite lightweight for their size. I have the 180 and it seems a light lens compared to my Canon 100-400 zoom.
With the hood reversed I would even go as far as to say the 150 is quite a compact lens, if a little wide for its size. There isn't much between the Tamron and the Sigma 150 in length (Tamron 90mm=97mm long compared with Sigma 150=137mm long). I really wouldn't worry too much about the little extra weight gain. Far more difference would be made by the choice of body you used with it, and whether you used a tripod with it (would recommend this with any long macro, including your Tamron with a 1.4x converter which would be 126mm, so not too far short of the Sigma 150)
Ultimately it's up to you, but if size and weight are important the Sigma 150 would be my choice. With it and your Tamron (and a 1.4TC) you would cover the following focal lengths: 90mm, 126mm, 150mm, 210mm.
Cheers,
Steve
One last point, is that I bought the 180, mainly for shooting dragonflies and butterflies, which it is perfect for. At about 1/2 metre you get 1:1 reproduction. For most butterflies I can easily get close enough, even with the tiny ones, though for some of the more wary dragonflies I struggle a bit. Perhaps I will eventually add a 1.4tc to take it to 250mm, but I'm in no hurry at the moment.
With the Sigma 150 you need to be a bit closer to get 1:1, and a friend of mine routinely uses his with a 1.4tc with few problems. They both also make excellent general purpose telephoto lenses, and the focussing is quite quick as they both have USM motors. I have used mine for close birds quite successfully, even in flight, and as it is so sharp, if I eventually get a 2xtc it would make a 360mm f7.1 lens, which isn't a bad bonus feature. Compare that with the Canon 100-400 which is actually around 385mm at the long end, and works best at f8, and there probably isn't much between them. A tripod would be a must though, without IS built in.
