messing around with a sigma 70-300 apo

[kamekaze]

And figured I try out the macro capabilities this evening. Not too shabby for a cheap, slow, low cost lens.









These are all sooc.

[jfoureyes]

There's nothing wrong with these! I don't use a Sigma but an old Nikkor 75-300/4.5-5.6 for closeups all the time for these kinds of subjects and its great fun. I like to put a 20 mm extension tube to get the focus a little closer and of course I use it from a tripod 100% of the time... you can't beat the working distance and most of the time the shy critters don't even know you're there shooting them.

[jeffclow]

Those are a fine set of macro shots.....would not have believed the Sigma could produce such crisp detail.

[jfoureyes]

I know a fellow in Austin that shoots all his macro photos (dragonflies and damselflies and other insects) with a old 50-500 Bigma and they are unbelievable...Of course his shooting technique is perfect and shoots 100% from a tripod. As Artie Morris says... it's not the lens or camera it's the person using it 99.9% of the time.
Here's some of his work
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photonfreak/

[mmuhlenkamp]

This just shows that good macro is about technique not equipment. Nice shots, John.

[kamekaze]

Thanks guys, I'm definately gonna have to try again on a tripod.

[Kenj8246]

These are quite nice, John. I especially like the first dragonfly. I use a 300mm w/80mm of extension on a tripod for skittish subjects occasionally myself. Works great.