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Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro : I paid: $279.00 (Oct. 2008) Summary: Produces true 1:1 macro, extremely close minimum focus with razor-thin depth-of-field, focus hunts in low light Best used for: MACRO, PORTRAITS Because this lens can focus very close to its front element, it's perfect for still-life macro photographs (see examples by clicking the link above). Outdoors, you can use natural light and take crisp shots of the center of a flower, the grain on a leaf, etc. Indoors, you may want to supplement the light with a flash gun (bounced off a nearby wall, perhaps) or some other source. Using a tripod for a long exposure is a good option. With a wide aperture like f/2.8, this Sigma lens produces smoth and dreamy "bokeh" (out-of-focus background), while keeping the subject sharp and clear. This is great for portraits. For portraits of one or two people at a time, the focal length of 50mm is about perfect. Not a good idea: LANDSCAPES, WILDLIFE, SPORTS, GROUP PHOTOS Since the lens has a fixed focal length of 50mm, you can't zoom in and out. You'll actually have to move the camera closer to or farther from the subject. This means you won't get the wide-angle effect that's used for many landscape images. On the other hand, wild animals may be too far away. To get close enough for a shot with a 50mm lens, the animal will have to be pretty tame. Sports photography is also not a great idea for this lens, mainly because of its focal length. But also, the auto-focus isn't lightning-fast like you'd want a sports lens to be. It's also not wide enough for photos of large groups of people. Other Notes: One main complaint about the Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens is that you can't attach the lens cap when the (included) hood is in place. The hood is a screw-in type, and it uses the threads that the lens cap would use. Some people solve this by not using the hood. Others solve it by purchasing a cheap replacement lens cap that's the right size to fit on the end of the hood. The lens is built solidly and has a smooth, professional feel except for the relatively slow autofocus. There is a "limiter" switch in case you're not shooting closeups and only want to utilize the normal range of focus.

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

I paid: $279.00 (Oct. 2008) Summary: Produces true 1:1 macro, extremely close minimum focus with razor-thin depth-of-field, focus hunts in low light Best used for: MACRO, PORTRAITS Because this lens can focus very close to its front element, it's perfect for still-life macro photographs (see examples by clicking the link above). Ou ...

Updated: Nov 01, 2008 12:22pm PST

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM :

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

Updated: May 21, 2009 3:18pm PST

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM :

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

Updated: Nov 01, 2008 1:46pm PST

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC :

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

Updated: May 22, 2009 7:57am PST