As part of my Macro Lens Series, this round I took the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for a walk recently.
I have the lens mated to a Pentax K-X (x1.5 crop factor). At 50mm (75mm on 35mm format), the Sigma Macro 50mm F2.8 EX DG is a “standard” macro lens that is excellent for a wide variety of uses. From shooting life-size (1:1) tiny details of insects & flowers to general use like portraits or landscape is seemingly possible. Although I always mention that this lens is very useful for table top studio/ macro uses during my photography class, this lens is actually good for many other uses. Interesting point to note, the 50mm Macro has a flat front element unlike many other macro lenses of this focal range. This means the 50mm can shoot paintings, stamps or anything flat and render a near-zero distortion. In short, landscape is perfect too!

Small & compact, do not be fooled, it has 10 elements in 9 groups (a lot of glass for a lens this size) and it can be stopped down all the way to F32 (while many other macro lenses stopped at F22) while maintaining a light weight of 320gm makes it really light to be carried around without much issue. This is one of the few aging lens in the Sigma product line and given its humble asking price, I will recommend anyone looking for a versatile focal range macro lens to get this lens. Why so? Take a look at the photos shot with this lens below.

Check out the tack sharp photos. So how does it performed when used for other genres?

Now who say you cannot use a Macro lens for Landscape photos?
For me, I am a little strange as I always liked to use a 50mm on my APS-C cameras to get a 75mm equivalent.
I find that whenever I shoot at 75mm especially structures or building, the distortions are minimized or even eliminated. Using this Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro, there’s the added value of able to do macro when I need it.
If you can look beyond the age of the lens, the cosmetic values of the lens, this is one macro lens that everyone should at least own. I call this lens the “convenience lens” – and one that really perform.

For more information on this lens, please visit here.

For other articles & reviews of Sigma Lenses, please visit here.

Special Thanks to Sigma Marketing (Singapore) for the lens!
I Love it!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
** Sigma had re-organized their whole lens line into 3 category.
They are “C” Lens, “A” Lens & “S” Lens.

C Lens = Contemporary Lens Line

Featuring the very latest technology, and combining optical performance with compactness, Sigma’s high-performance Contemporary line covers a wide range of needs. Lenses in this category are Standard zoom lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, high-magnification zoom lenses.

A Lens = Art Lens Line

Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and abundant expressive power, Sigma’s Art line delivers high-level artistic expression. Lenses in this category are Large-aperture prime lenses, wide-angle lenses, ultra-wide-angle lenses, macro lenses, fisheye lenses.

S Lens – Sports Lens Line

While offering sophisticated optical performance and expressiveness, Sigma Sports line lenses deliver high action-capture performance, enabling photographers to get exactly the shots they want. Lenses in this category are Telephoto lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, super telephoto lenses, super telephoto zoom lenses.

Sigma Marketing Singapore Pte Ltd. is a subsidiary of Sigma Japan Corporation.

For more information, please visit http://www.sigma-global.com