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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
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Thrift store Sigma 28/2.8 mini-wide macro lens
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I bought this last year and today is the first time I tried it. It focuses very
close somewhere between 6-8" will have to measure to be exact. Here's
a couple test shots today:





Yeah, either I moved or the flower moved in the last shot. huhuhuh

In the first shot those are floaties in the water, not dust on my sensor.

Bill


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Nice ones, seems you can make perfect macro shoots with any lenses.


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Bill! I just don't see it could get much better with that first image. Simply a superior image all around. If this was mine, I would probably be framing an enlargement as we speak. Fine colors, fine focus, fine composition - all elements that make this image simply GLOW!

Fantastic.


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The Sigma Mini-Wide had a good reputation way back when. It was notable as a close-focusing lens. At that time Sigma went out of its way to make its primes close-focusing.

I've had one for thirty years, one of the few lenses I've bought deliberately. Unfortunately mine has developed bad haze in its inner elements, and now flares terribly.

Very nice pictures btw. That lens is a great value.


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Thanks, Attila!

Larry, too kind, these are just some test shots, but I'm very surprised that
it would do this well, color rendering-wise, and such close focus! I paid $10 for this lens!

Bill


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luisalegria wrote:
The Sigma Mini-Wide had a good reputation way back when. It was notable as a close-focusing lens. At that time Sigma went out of its way to make its primes close-focusing.

I've had one for thirty years, one of the few lenses I've bought deliberately. Unfortunately mine has developed bad haze in its inner elements, and now flares terribly.

Very nice pictures btw. That lens is a great value.


Luis, thanks for the info! I was wondering if anyone had this lens. This has
been quite a surprise for me today! Smile


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Bill, great shots!. The first is a very nice sample of great colouring and details, love the bokeh of the second one.
Good work,
Jes.


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Thanks, Jes,
I've decided to clean the floaties that were in the water in the first pic:



I think I like it better this way. There is no color saturation in these,
whatsoever.

Bill


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For Pentax shooters, here's the same lens in Pentax mount:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGMA-MINI-WIDE-II-MACRO-MC-LENS-28mm-f%2F2.8-&-CASE-ETC_W0QQitemZ370038944443QQcmdZViewItem


This lens could very well be one of my favorites!


Last edited by Katastrofo on Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:06 am; edited 1 time in total


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It's rather amazing what cleaning out a few tiny specks can do! I guess because of that black background? Anyway, the "pure" black makes everything pop just a little more.

I'm blown away by the apparent quality of the old Sigma. When I told you the first shot was superb, I meant it. But now...looking at the second shot with its warm colors and probably bokeh that is as good as it gets....well, it rates a "close second" to the first. The bokeh doesn't get "all swirly" and has no "tricks up its sleeve". It simply fades and fades and fades in a smooth, exponential manner. Truly fine indeed.

I personally think you have a "way" with macro images. You seem to maintain very good composition, which is where I fall down. Perhaps because I'm too busy trying to figure out where to focus! Razz

Frankly, the looks of your lowly Sigma is as good as some of the pricy lenses out there. What a KEEPER if there ever was one.

(Now a guy has to wonder what OTHER sleeping Sigmas from that era are hanging around waiting to be discovered. You sure as hell discovered THIS one.

I would love to see more images, and also when you get a chance - an image of the lens mounted on your cam?

Thanks for these, they are just great.


Last edited by Laurence on Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:08 am; edited 1 time in total


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Larry, I posted one for Pentax above your post. It'll probably go for
cheap, too!

BTW, thanks for your kind comments! The floating flowers are each only an
inch across, but this lens close-focuses to 4 inches!


Last edited by Katastrofo on Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:16 am; edited 1 time in total


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Katastrofo wrote:
Larry, I posted one for Pentax above your post. It'll probably go for
cheap, too!

BTW, thanks for your kind comments!


Thanks! I didn't see it. Too busy trying to use a pulley system to crank my jaw back shut!


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THANKS for the tip, Bill. It is now on my watch list in eBay. Wink

I will be coming back 10 minutes before the end of auction to see what's happening. I would love to win this one.

Thanks again VERY MUCH. Larry


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Larry, there's an article I forgot to save about this lens, lemme see if I
can find it again, I'll post it here.

Forgot to add, in the first floating flower version, I forgot to use "Shadow
and Highlights" cuz I was just in a hurry. That really helped this pic.

Bill


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Katastrofo wrote:
Larry, there's an article I forgot to save about this lens, lemme see if I
can find it again, I'll post it here.

Bill


Please do! Damn, I love it when these "no name" lenses show so much precision.


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http://flickr.com/photos/oldcameras/510211693/


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Wow, nothing wrong with that pic, huh? Here's a little blurb about the lens:

http://www.mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/sigma_28mm_macro.html

The one I have is in Nikon mount and takes the Nikon standard 52mm lens cap. I forgot I had this lens, but found it today when I was cleaning out a
closet! I'd bought other items from the thrift store, tools, a couple of lawn
chairs, etc...silly me! And this will fit my Nikon F, too!


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thanks Bill
one more lens to bookmark Rolling Eyes


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Very interesting thing... Definitely something to look for. Does anyone know what the exact close focus distance and the magnification ratio is?

I love wide angle macro shots, I´m also very interested in the Nikon 28mm F2,8 Ais (CFD: 0,2m). Another interesting lens in this context is the Sigma 14mm F2,8 which is said to have great close focusing abilities. I would throw out my 15-30mm for that one, but sadly enough it costs around 400€ instead of 200€...


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Larry wrote:
Now a guy has to wonder what OTHER sleeping Sigmas from that era are hanging around waiting to be discovered.


Sigma Zoom Master 2.8-4/35-70.... Wink

Another two great shots from Macromeister Bill. Cool


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bob955i wrote:
Larry wrote:
Now a guy has to wonder what OTHER sleeping Sigmas from that era are hanging around waiting to be discovered.


Sigma Zoom Master 2.8-4/35-70.... Wink

Another two great shots from Macromeister Bill. Cool


Thanks, Bob, you're too much! Laughing There's a guy, Andreas Werth from
Cologne, who does some truly amazing microscopic macros on APF that
I started calling "Macro Polo"....LOL

Bill


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Same Andreas as on APF?

It's true though - you ARE good at macro - especially hand-held which is a skill in itself. Cool


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Yep, Andreas of APF, another Canon shooter (40D/20D).

About handheld shots, I should really think about using a tripod...after one
too many coffees my keeper shots go down exponentially! Laughing


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Katastrofo wrote:
Yep, Andreas of APF, another Canon shooter (40D/20D).

About handheld shots, I should really think about using a tripod...after one
too many coffees my keeper shots go down exponentially! Laughing


Laughing - try replacing the coffee with some of our finest fall-over juice and the keeper rate won't go down exponentially, it'll be linearly and vertical.... Laughing


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But Bob, at least I'd feel better about it! Nice anesthesia! Laughing