Question 1 of 2: Do you use this to improve clarity with existing macro lenses or to allow you to shoot from a greater distance from the subject?
1348835
I intent to use for shoot from.a greater distance but I couldn't use them as they didn't work with my camera
1348836
Use ti increase the magnification.The tube contains no optical elements; its sole purpose is to move the lens farther from the image plane. The farther away the lens is, the closer the focus, the greater the magnification, and also the greater the loss of light requiring a longer exposure time .
160523
I wasn't aware Sigma made this same lens in a "macro" version? Becarefull believing the discriptions as some "used" products are misrepresented. Any how, macro will allow for a shorter minimum focus distance. Good luck
552989
I have been using the Hd Pentax-DA 1:2.8 Macro. Any filter, UV, magnifying, or otherwise when attached to any lens becomes part of your optics. When I want extreme sharpness I even remove the UV filters. Then I have to remember to put them back because they protect the expensive lens. Nothing beats the Macro lens compared to a filter, if the expense is not a problem get the lens instead of adding layers of filters and degrading your optics.
1526145
Short answer: Probably not. I have never used this product personally; but I regularly use a similar product in a smaller 32" size really like it. I also take lots of macro shots with and without extension tubes. It is difficult for me to imagine doing both at the same time. For macro shots you are working very close to your subject and trying to shoehorn such a large reflector or diffuser into such a small space seems very impractical. For macros in the field, I hold the camera with my right hand and a wireless strobe in my left hand. Perhaps a ten or twelve inch version of this product could be useful if you have enough hands or support brackets to hold it and still work the camera.
726798
Macro lenses are by design usually better than most prime lenses. In this case my Nikon 40mm will out preform most of my very expensive primes. And yes they carry this performance to any distance.And contrary to the other commentary it will focus accurately at any distance including infinity. I know because I use it thus many times a week.
753357
Extension tubes are best used with a short fixed lens they go between the camera and the lens giving greater distance from the sensor thus greater magification, they don't work well with longer lenses or telephoto lenses. You also need to have a camera that has the ability to allow you to change lenses. Macro filters work best with longer lenses and telephoto lenses as the longer lenses length intensifies their magnification its best to get fairly good macro lenses I have these and they work well but macro lenses can effect IQ hope this helps you decide
1915106
Correct; you unscrew the smaller lens to access the macro lens. These lenses are garbage, but to get the desired effect you have to be right on top of the subject you want the picture of.
552991
There are definitely many alternative ways to take macro shots. You can use a closeup filter like you mention, you can buy extension tubes to move your lenses out from the film plane or you can buy a special ring that enables you to mount an existing lens backwards (reversing ring). The Macro lens approach seems to be the highest quality. I've also had good luck using a reversing ring. One other differentiation between a Macro lens and the alternatives is that a Macro lens allows you to take pictures over a continuously variable distance. The other options more or less only work at a fixed distance from the object which makes composition a bit less flexible There are definitely many alternative ways to take macro shots. You can use a closeup filter like you mention, you can buy extension tubes to move your lenses out from the film plane or you can buy a special ring that enables you to mount an existing lens backwards (reversing ring). The Macro lens approach seems to be the highest quality. I've also had good luck using a reversing ring. One other differentiation between a Macro lens and the alternatives is that a Macro lens allows you to take pictures over a continuously variable distance. The other options more or less only work at a fixed... » Read More There are definitely many alternative ways to take macro shots. You can use a closeup filter like you mention, you can buy extension tubes to move your lenses out from the film plane or you can buy a special ring that enables you to mount an existing lens backwards (reversing ring). The Macro lens approach seems to be the highest quality. I've also had good luck using a reversing ring. One other differentiation between a Macro lens and the alternatives is that a Macro lens allows you to take pictures over a continuously variable distance. The other options more or less only work at a fixed distance from the object which makes composition a bit less flexible « Show Less
1770840
It really depends on how close a macro shot you are looking to take. I tried to use this lens for some really close macro shot and it did not focus well. Have to use manual focus. This is overall a very good lens but if you are looking for specific lens to take exceptionally good close macro shots then it is better to get a true macro lens.
222557
No think of them like filters. They help your landscape look better as in give you more depth when using fisheye and wide lens and macro gives you a microcospic view. For macro you have to get really really close to an object to take a photo.
1763824
With flowers it will work very well, with insects you may want a macro a bit longer. As for quality it is superb, but like all lenses one must use sense. There is no such thing as a one does everything lens.
2264485
The chip is worth it for the metadata. I've found that it's actually hard to miss focus with this lens. I use the focus scale on the barrel and hardly ever look through the viewfinder to focus. Look up hyperfocal distance for 14mm and use those values. I usually just use the 3 foot mark on the lens barrel unless I'm trying to get something really close to the lens in focus. And by close I mean a foot.
1891732
I have used it for taking portraits, as well as for macro shots. You have to stand back a bit for portraits, especially full body shots. It works great and it's my favorite lens!
1356282
It doesn't get super close, but it's really damn sharp. If you want to get closer, I'd suggest Sigma's 28mm f1.8 macro (they also have a 24, a 50, etc.)The macros are reviewed well enough, may not be as optimal in the corners, but for center-frame macro shots, everything else will be bokeh-d out anyway. This is more of a perfect travel lens- sharp as anything corner to corner for the landscape shots, and wide f1.8 for the people shots, while still being practical and relatively distortion-free.
1383345
for wide-angle you simply attach/screw this new lens (both pieces combined) onto your stock lens. It gives a wider field of view in all directions, but you do get the dark corners which you'll probably end up cropping upon editing. The Macro Lens is for taking pictures of extreme close-ups, like a flower or insect. For that application you unscrew the Wide Angle component of this lens combo and just have the Macro part attached to your stock lens. Auto-focus works fine. I don't think you can use just the wide angle part of this new lens combo. It wouldn't attach to the stock lens unless you had some kind of male/male adapter, which is why I don't think you can use it alone. I might be wrong, but I haven't tried. Hope this helps.
1765972
Good product, but wrong direction... this extends your len's focal length, but you want to shoot macro or shorter focal lengths, which requires (simpler) macro tubes. Some preserve autofocus, some don't, but all work. Lighting is key. Normal flashes will do poorly on a macro shot. Consider an LED ring light, or use a (chilled) pane of glass with bounce lighting or light from behind.
138089
Yes, it is very good for macro close-ups, blurring the background beautifully! A very versatile lens. You can't go wrong! Very sharp photos.