SIGMA MACRO 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

This Sigma is one of the least expensive lenses in the group, yet it’s surprisingly rich in features

£320/$620

Despite its budget price tag (in the UK, at least), the full-frame compatible Sigma 105mm features fast ring-type ultrasonic autofocus, a three-position AF range limiter switch that can lock out either the short or long end of travel, and a four-stop image stabilizer. Unlike the stabilizers fitted in the competing Canon and Tamron lenses, it’s a standard rather than ‘hybrid’ system, but is well worth having. Unlike two of the Canon lenses, it also comes with a lens hood, as well as a hood adaptor for improved effectiveness on APS-C cameras. Sigma even throws in a soft case.

The stabilizer features switchable static and panning modes, the latter may be superfluous in extreme close-up shooting but it works well when using the lens for action shots. Build quality feels very good overall, although the lens lacks weather-seals, which are only featured in the Canon L-series lens and the Tamron 90mm in this test group. The manual focus ring has a similar amount of travel to the Canon lenses but doesn’t operate quite as smoothly as that of the Canon L-series lens.

Performance

Centre sharpness is on a par with the Canon L-series lens at most apertures, but falls off a little more at f/2.8, and the Sigma isn’t quite as sharp towards the edges. Wideaperture sharpness is largely irrelevant for macro shooting, where you need narrow apertures for anything more than miniscule depth of field.