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Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£110
Avg. price in US: ~$120
Lens mount: Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sigma SA
Maximum focal length: 50 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 2.8
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 46.8 °

Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.2

Good

5.7

Good

8.1

Excellent

7.2
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.8
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
5.2
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
9.0
Lens length
25.0%
8.1
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#872 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro is a high-performance prime lens designed for full-frame DSLRs, featuring a 10-element, 9-group optical construction and a 7-blade diaphragm for smooth background blur. It offers a true 1:1 magnification ratio with a minimum focusing distance of 18.8 cm (7.4 inches), utilizing a floating internal focusing system to maintain edge-to-edge sharpness throughout its range. Main pros include its exceptional image clarity, compact and lightweight 320g build, and a focus limiter switch that enhances autofocus speed for non-macro use. However, its main cons are a noisy micro-motor autofocus system, a lack of image stabilisation, and a short working distance at maximum magnification that can make lighting or approaching live subjects difficult.

Technical Specifications of Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro

Overall score

6.2

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

macro

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sigma SA

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

Full-frame

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

55 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

6.6

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

50 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

50 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

?

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

46.8 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

46.8 °

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Focus & Controls

3.1

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

screw-drive, DC motor

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

6.3

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

?

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Lab Scores

9.0

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

?

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

?

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Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro vs the average camera lens

Why is Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro better than the average camera lens?

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Has focus distance scale
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
What it is: A marked scale that shows the approximate focus distance set on the lens.
When it matters: When you pre-focus manually for street, zone focusing, or repeatable tripod setups.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Has focus limiter switch
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
What it is: A control that restricts the focus range to improve autofocus speed and reduce hunting.
When it matters: When autofocus speed matters and you want to stop the lens from hunting through its full focus range.
Importance: LOW
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
190.4 g lighter
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is lighter than the average camera lens (335 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.
When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is lighter than the average camera lens (335 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.335 g vs 525.4 g
25.5 mm shorter lens
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is shorter than the average camera lens (66.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is shorter than the average camera lens (66.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.66.5 mm vs 92 mm
0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.
When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.0.189 m vs 0.3 m
0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.
When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.1 x vs 0.192 x
5.6 mm narrower lens barrel
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is slimmer than the average camera lens (71.4 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.
When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is slimmer than the average camera lens (71.4 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.71.4 mm vs 77 mm
4.82x cheaper
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is cheaper than the average camera lens (£110 vs £530).
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is cheaper than the average camera lens (£110 vs £530).£110 vs £530
Has focus distance scale
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
Has focus limiter switch
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a focus limiter switch, the average camera lens does not. 16.4% of camera lenses include a focus limiter switch.
0.11 m shorter minimum focus distance
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.2 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
0.81 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
190.4 g lighter
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is lighter than the average camera lens (335 g vs 525.4 g). The average lens weighs 525.4 g.
25.5 mm shorter lens
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is shorter than the average camera lens (66.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
5.6 mm narrower lens barrel
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro is slimmer than the average camera lens (71.4 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Why is Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro worse than the average camera lens?

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No rounded blades
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
7 blades.
2 fewer aperture blades
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
No full-time manual focus
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No internal focusing
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Not weather-sealed
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Not weather-sealed
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No full-time manual focus
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.
When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support full-time manual focus, the average camera lens does. 68.4% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
No rounded blades
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
7 blades.
What it is: A blade design that keeps the aperture opening more circular for smoother out-of-focus highlights.
When it matters: When you care about smoother bokeh and rounder highlight shapes in blurred backgrounds.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
No internal focusing
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.
When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
2 fewer aperture blades
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.7 vs 9
2 fewer aspherical elements
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
What it is: Specially shaped lens elements used to reduce distortion and improve sharpness with fewer optical compromises.
When it matters: When edge sharpness and lower distortion matter in wide-angle, travel, or everyday shooting.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.0 vs 2
2 fewer low-dispersion elements
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
What it is: Optical elements designed to reduce color fringing by controlling how different wavelengths focus.
When it matters: When you want cleaner edges and less color fringing in high-contrast scenes.
Importance: MEDIUM
Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.0 vs 2

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro and

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro?

High sharpness and resolution across the entire frame, especially when stopped down to f/5.6
Excellent true 1:1 macro reproduction ratio for life-sized magnification
Compact and lightweight build, making it highly portable and well-balanced on most bodies
Smooth and creamy bokeh quality, particularly for a macro-specific lens
Includes a focus limiter switch to reduce hunting during general-purpose use
Very affordable price point, often cited as a high-value 'bargain' lens

What customers dislike about Sigma 50mm F2 8 EX DG Macro?

Slow and sometimes noisy autofocus (AF) performance compared to modern ultrasonic motors
Extending front barrel design can be physically intrusive when shooting at 1:1 magnification
Short working distance at maximum magnification, which may shade the subject or disturb live insects
Older 'EX' crinkle finish/rubber coating can become tacky or peel over time
Screw-in lens hood is less convenient to attach and detach than bayonet-style hoods
No internal image stabilization, necessitating a tripod for sharp close-up shots

Expert reviews

imaging-resource.com

31/10/2005

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Imaging Resource

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro is a versatile standard lens designed for digital SLRs that functions as a true macro lens capable of a 1:1 reproduction ratio. It features an advanced optical design with a floating focusing system for precise imaging across the entire focus range, special coatings to reduce ghosting and reflections, and an included screw-in hood. On full-frame camera bodies, the lens performs exceptionally well by delivering excellent corner-to-corner sharpness even when shot wide open, alongside very low chromatic aberration across the board. Additionally, it provides an impressive minimum aperture of f/45 or f/32 depending on the camera mount, which offers photographers an expanded depth of field. Despite its strong optical performance, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks, particularly when the lens is paired with a full-frame sensor. Light falloff (vignetting) in the corners increases on full-frame bodies, hitting a maximum of 0.7 EV at f/2.8; unusually, this shading never drops below 0.22 EV even when the lens is significantly stopped down. Distortion also changes on full-frame cameras, shifting from negligible barrel distortion to a...

ephotozine.com

09/01/2006

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 DG Macro EX Interchangeable Lens Review

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 DG Macro EX is a well-built, high-performance prime lens offering excellent optical quality at a reasonable price point, according to ePHOTOzine. It is versatile for macro work and functions well as a portrait lens on cropped sensors, boasting a robust finish and a functional, included metal hood. ePHOTOzine Key drawbacks identified include a short working distance at 1:1 magnification due to an extending front element and a slow autofocus system, which can impact shooting efficiency. Additionally, unlike other lenses in the EX series, this model lacks an included soft storage case. ePHOTOzine

ephotozine.com

18/04/2011

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Lens Review - ePHOTOzine

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG lens is characterized by ePHOTOzine as a budget-friendly, highly capable macro option featuring outstanding center sharpness when stopped down and a solid build with a versatile metal hood. It offers good value for close-up work and, on APS-C sensors, functions well as a portrait lens. Conversely, the review notes the lens suffers from slow, noisy autofocus and an extending front element that mandates very short working distances for 1:1 macro, highlighting a lack of modern features like stabilization. It is deemed a worthy alternative for those seeking macro capabilities without a high price tag, despite these functional compromises.

ourshutterjourney.com

19/04/2013

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro – A Performer

The Shutter Journey Singapore review highlights the Sigma 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro as a highly versatile and budget-friendly "convenience lens". Tested on an APS-C Pentax K-X camera (giving a 75mm equivalent focal length), the reviewer emphasizes its ability to handle multiple genres beyond traditional macro work, making it an excellent choice for portraits, structured buildings, and landscapes. A standout design feature is its uniquely flat front element, which renders near-zero distortion and makes it perfect for photographing flat objects like paintings and stamps. Despite packed optics consisting of 10 elements in 9 groups, the lens maintains a highly portable, lightweight footprint of just 320 grams. shutter journey singapore Pros and Cons Breakdown Pros: The lens delivers exceptional, tack-sharp image quality and achieves a true life-size (1:1 magnification) macro ratio for capturing intricate details of insects and flowers. It features a flat front optic that effectively eliminates distortion, an extensive aperture range that stops down all the way to f/32 for advanced depth-of-field control, and a humble, affordable price point. shutter journey singapore Cons: The review notes that this is...

frogtographysg.com

27/02/2026

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm f/2.8 DG Macro Review – The Sharpest Bargain Would you like to see technical specifications or sample images from any of these specific tes...

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro is a highly budget-friendly "sleeper" lens that offers true 1:1 macro magnification for a fraction of the cost of modern mirrorless equivalents. Its standout pros include exceptional center sharpness, excellent image contrast, smooth bokeh, and a dense, high-quality "EX" build. Additionally, the "DG" digital-grade coating effectively minimizes ghosting and flare. It features a useful focus limiter switch to stop the lens from hunting during standard portrait or street photography, making the 50mm focal length highly versatile for everyday walkaround use. However, the lens comes with notable ergonomic and mechanical cons. It relies on a telescoping barrel design that doubles in length at maximum magnification, reducing the working distance to just two inches and making it easy to shadow subjects or scare away insects. Furthermore, it lacks an internal autofocus motor, meaning it will only autofocus on Nikon DSLRs with built-in screwdriver motors; it is strictly manual-focus on entry-level DSLRs and modern Nikon Z mirrorless cameras using the FTZ adapter. The autofocus performance itself is noisy and slow, the older matte crinkle finish can...

digitalkamera.de

18/10/2011

Summary of the review

Bildqualitätstest der Sigma SD1 mit 17-50mm 2.8 und 50mm Makro

The digitalkamera.de review highlights that the Sigma SD1 with its 46-megapixel Foveon X3 sensor delivers exceptional, medium-format-like resolution and minimal moiré at low ISO settings (100-800), particularly paired with the 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens. However, the system is highly specialized, showing significant drawbacks including severe high-ISO noise, limited dynamic range at higher sensitivities, and noticeable distortion with the 17-50mm zoom. The camera is described as a high-detail tool best suited for controlled lighting rather than low-light or action photography.

photozone.de

01/10/2005

Summary of the review

Sigma AF 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Review / Test Report

The Sigma AF 50mm f/2.8 EX DG macro review highlights it as a highly capable and versatile full-frame lens, tested here on an APS-C DSLR where it acts as an 80mm equivalent profile. On the positive side, it offers an outstanding optical design consisting of 10 elements in 9 groups that delivers excellent resolution figures across the frame. It avoids significant optical flaws and shows minimal vignetting even when shot wide open. It is well-regarded for its sturdy build quality featuring a tactile, crinkle-style EX finish, a smooth focus ring, and a non-rotating front element that makes using a polarizer highly convenient. Mechanically, it excels at close-up shots thanks to a floating optic system that successfully corrects aberrations down to its true 1:1 macro magnification ratio at a minimum focusing distance of 0.189 metres. Additionally, its highly competitive price tag and future-proof full-frame design make it an excellent budget-friendly investment. However, the lens does come with noticeable drawbacks, particularly regarding its physical handling and autofocusing system. A primary downside is that the lens barrel extends substantially when focusing closely, abandoning...

radojuva.com

16/01/2014

Summary of the review

Sigma 50mm f/2.8D EX Macro Lens Review

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro EX is a high-grade, Japanese-made lens that delivers exceptional, sharp imaging with a true 1:1 macro magnification ratio at a 18.9 cm minimum focusing distance. It features a robust, matte-finished build with a convenient focus limiter switch and a deeply recessed front element, making it ideal for high-quality close-up photography. However, the lens lacks an internal motor, meaning it will not autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLRs and operates with a noisy, sluggish "screwdriver" mechanism, requiring manual switches for focus adjustments. Additionally, the 50mm focal length necessitates a very short working distance, which can cause lighting challenges or disturb live subjects.

tapatalk.com

29/12/2011

Summary of the review

Sigma AF 50mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO review

The Sigma AF 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro is lauded for exceptional sharpness at its maximum f/2.8 aperture, offering excellent optical performance with minimal distortion for both macro and general photography. The lens provides true 1:1 magnification, a durable EX-series build, and high value for money compared to native alternatives. However, the lens is limited by a slow, noisy, and older micro-motor autofocus system that struggles in low light, alongside a design where the lens extends during focusing. A short working distance of 18.9 cm at 1:1 magnification makes lighting subjects challenging, often requiring manual focus for precise macro work.

rcefoto.com

N/A

Summary of the review

Used Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - RCE Foto Datasheet

The Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro is a specialized prime lens evaluated by Italian used-camera retailer RCE Foto for Nikon and compatible DSLR bodies. Built with 10 elements in 9 groups, it stands out for delivering exceptional contrast, corner-to-corner image sharpness, and a true 1:1 macro magnification ratio for precise close-up details. Its bright f/2.8 maximum aperture is highly rated for low-light versatility, while the 8-blade diaphragm smoothly isolates subjects with an aesthetically pleasing background bokeh. The lens's physical traits include a compact 71x67mm form factor, a 55mm filter thread, and a highly responsive 19cm minimum focusing distance. The core advantage of this lens is its dual-purpose performance as both an edge-to-edge sharp macro tool and a competent close-range portrait option. However, the listing and user reviews highlight a few structural compromises. The prominent disadvantage is its traditional mechanical autofocus system, which relies on the camera body's built-in AF motor and lacks a modern, quiet internal drive like HSM or USM. Additionally, the short 50mm focal length results in a very tight working distance for 1:1 macro magnification, making...

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