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Got me a Sigma 150mm macro lens... (DIALUP WARNING)

Just arrived a couple of hours ago. Slapped that puppy on the camera and started clicking. Heavy beast (at least on a micro 4/3 body). Nice being able to have the camera 2 feet away from the coin and have nice high angles for lighting. Experimenting with lighting and angles will take some time, especially with respect to cutting glare. Can't use my Otts with this setup, so these shots were taken with fluorescents (am wary of the high temps of halogen bulbs).

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Comments

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    sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500
    awesome pics


    I think I like the half cent the best because it shows the die clash


    and I know how difficult it is for me to pic small brown coins
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    BarndogBarndog Posts: 20,525 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    ashelandasheland Posts: 24,420 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Awesome pics indeed!
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    Nice pics. What kind of Macro were you using before and what camera? Do you recommend the sigma over an OEM lens? Got picks of the same coins using both lenses in the same light to compare? --Jerry

    PS is this the Sigma AF 150 2.8 APO Macro EX DG HSM Lens that I see on ebay for $673?

    PPS Everything is very well focused. Does the lens have excellent depth of field or are you just very good at getting the entire coin in focus?
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    BcsicanBcsican Posts: 1,068
    Very nice....they look good.....
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    Nice. I like the guernsey pics. Very photogenic coin.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    derrybderryb Posts: 38,555 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice, how bout something for us gold bugs.

    "A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."

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    BloodManBloodMan Posts: 1,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice shots.

    The 1896 Morgan has beautiful toning.
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    LeeGLeeG Posts: 12,162
    Looks to be a super investment!! image
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    lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 9,328 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very nice!! image
    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
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    richardshipprichardshipp Posts: 5,647 ✭✭✭
    Great Pictures !
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    intenceintence Posts: 1,255
    nice!
    image
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    guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭


    I must say, a few of those pics rival some of the best around. Congrats.

    -wes

    @ Elite CNC Routing & Woodworks on Facebook. Check out my work.
    Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
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    Very good lens nice details and very sharp. Good job.image
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    HighReliefHighRelief Posts: 3,728 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Those are some really great looking coin pictures image
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    It must look a little comical with that giant lens hooked up to that tiny little SLRimage
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    RedneckHBRedneckHB Posts: 20,155 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Fantastic pics!!
    Excuses are tools of the ignorant

    Knowledge is the enemy of fear

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    renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,941 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great lens selection! You'll love working with it. Lately, I've been experimenting with a 250-watt hot lamp behind an umbrella and getting some stellar results. The best thing about that lens is tha way you can fill the sensor with even a tiny 3-cent silver. Great choice! And great photos!
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    renomedphysrenomedphys Posts: 3,941 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Whoa! What's that clashed reverse on the half cent?
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>It must look a little comical with that giant lens hooked up to that tiny little SLRimage >>



    Umm.... yeah. The lens is more than double the size and weight of the camera.

    Question: Since both the camera and the lens have a tripod mount, is there any inherent advantage with respect to stabilization, to attaching the copy stand to one versus the other? I have the copy stand bolted to the lens at the moment, the one major advantage being that I can access the battery without unbolting the camera, as well as being able easily remove the camera from the lens, leaving the lens bolted to the camera stand.
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    drwstr123drwstr123 Posts: 7,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Bolt whichever is heavier.
    And nice pics too.
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    mgoodm3mgoodm3 Posts: 17,497 ✭✭✭
    It should be more stable using the mount on the lens. When mounting horizontally the lens mount will distribute the weight more evenly. When mount the camera vertically for macro the question becomes one of motion/vibration. In a camera with a moving mirror (yours doesn't) mounting on the lens moves a big source of vibration farther from the attachment and can make vibrations at high mag a little worse.
    coinimaging.com/my photography articles Check out the new macro lens testing section
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Nice pics. What kind of Macro were you using before and what camera? Do you recommend the sigma over an OEM lens? Got picks of the same coins using both lenses in the same light to compare? --Jerry

    PS is this the Sigma AF 150 2.8 APO Macro EX DG HSM Lens that I see on ebay for $673?

    PPS Everything is very well focused. Does the lens have excellent depth of field or are you just very good at getting the entire coin in focus? >>



    I was using an Olympus Camedia C7070 wide zoom (point and shoot). Pics were ok but lighting was always a b*tch since I had to be so close.

    I'm a point-and-shoot guy with respect to my photography ability though, so I wanted a camera that was still easy to use for the novice, yet provided the ability to try different lenses. So I split the difference. The Panasonic Lumix G1 is basically a point-and-shoot that can use multiple lenses. Although the lens selection for the micro-4/3 format is somewhat sparse, by using adapters you can use Nikon, Canon, Leica lenses, etc., although you do lose autofocus capabilities with the majority of lenses (not an issue with macro since I manual focus everything).

    Yes that's the same lens. I got mine for the 4/3 mount from B&H Photo. Wasn't cheap at $729.

    With the f-stop set in the 6-8 range, it's pretty easy to get the entire coin in focus.

    From all the reading online I've done, it seems that this particular sigma macro lens has a reputation for being extremely sharp; very highly rated: Ratings for this lens at FredMiranda.com. The one area where this lens falls down a bit, according to reviewers, is on the autofocus, when it's being used as a portrait lens. Since I don't use the autofocus, this is a nonissue.
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    zeebobzeebob Posts: 2,825
    Great 1/2 cent. Nice images! Congrats on the new lens.
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    MesquiteMesquite Posts: 4,075 ✭✭✭
    BINGO! Looking good.
    There are two ways to conquer and enslave a nation. One is by the sword. The other is by debt.
    –John Adams, 1826
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    image

    Incredible pictures
    You have to watch out for yourself, because nobody else is going to. Especially during dodge ball.
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    SUMORADASUMORADA Posts: 4,797

    Killer pics..........................image
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    holeinone1972holeinone1972 Posts: 5,368 ✭✭✭
    image
    image
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    Rob85635Rob85635 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭
    Truly outstanding.
    Rob the Newbie
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    mrearlygoldmrearlygold Posts: 17,858 ✭✭✭
    Excellent!
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,011 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nice photos for dinner plates. Too big for T-shirts.
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    ReveriesReveries Posts: 111 ✭✭✭
    Now these are really really good photographs! The macro lens is the solution that i need for Canadian 5 cent Silver
    which is very very small and cannot be captured via any other built in macro lens. Thanks for the research as well.
    I will purchase one of these ASAP.
    These shots easily rival PCGS true view photography. I still like the service they perform though!
    How about some really nice toned coins when you get chance! The copper pics were excellent!
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    BECOKABECOKA Posts: 16,961 ✭✭✭

    I also use the Sigma 150mm, it is an excellent lens.

    congrats and those are some fantastic shots. Shooting RAW is awesome and something I rarely get to do since most everything seems to be in slabs these days.
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    goossengoossen Posts: 492 ✭✭
    wow!!! great photos!!
    My coins with pictures: http://www.paraguaycoins.com/
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>How about some really nice toned coins when you get chance! The copper pics were excellent! >>



    Here ya go!
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    derrybderryb Posts: 38,555 ✭✭✭✭✭
    sweet

    "A car is a tool that takes you from one place to another. Everything beyond that is a payment for other people's perception of you."

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    Really nice shots! You gave me an idea, I'm going to try droppin' a tube over my Sigma 70-200mm and see what results I get at f/8.

    BTW: that -34 half cent is cherry! I LOVE the old stuff.

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