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The two seem completely at odds with each other – image quality and size. It’s been a rule of thumb since the invention of photography that a larger camera with a larger recording area (be it silver or silicon) will – all else being equal – produce superior image quality. And so photographers continue to schlep around cameras and lenses that weigh them down; all in a search for the optimum image.

On the other hand, we all would like to be free from encumbrances. To walk around a foreign city (or a dangerous one) without the weight and sometimes attention drawing of a DSLR would be nice. To take a hike in the woods with ones spouse, able to photograph the mists of early morning or a chance encounter with a deer, without the baggage (both literal and metaphorical) that a DSLR involves is something many of us wish for.

The digital revolution has provided us with no end of cute, small, inexpensive and well featured little pocket cameras that would seem to do the trick. For some users they do. For snapshots at family gatherings or vacation pictures which will end up as smallish prints from Walmart, they’re often just fine. But for the more serious and critical photographer, no matter how appealing these cameras might be in terms of features they usually disappoint in terms of image quality(kodak).

The reason for this is simple: small sensors. For example the Ricoh GR2, a very popular pocket digicam among more serious photographers, has a sensor that measures 7.6 X 9.5mm. Take out a ruler to see how small this is – about the size of your smallest finger nail. And, as we know, smaller sensors, especially those with high pixel counts (which we mostly all want) will have very small photo sites. Net results – noisy images, even at the lowest ISO settings, or, if the manufacturer has used aggressive noise reduction on-chip, reduced resolution.

An APS-C Sized Sensor

Which brings us to the sigma DP-1, the subject of this report. For the first time we have a shirt-pocket sized digicam using a roughly APS-C sized sensor. This is approximately the size used in popular DSLRs such as the Canon 40D and Nikon D300, and slightly larger than the 4/3 format used by Olympus and others in their DSLRs.

To make the comparison a bit easier to visualize let’s compare the diagonals of these formats. The Ricoh GR2 and Canon G9 (and similar digicams) have sensors with about a 10mm diagonal. On the other hand a 4/3 format DSLR, like those from Olympus, has a 22.5mm diagonal. A typical Nikon or Canon or Pentax DSLR with a roughly APS-C sized sensor has a diagonal measurement of about 28mm. Godzilla was right – size does matter.

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In my profession as a photographer, I rely on the materials I have, the camera and the lens. Currently I am using Nikon D80 and the lens I have is Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM which I am really fond of.

I want to discuss about this lens in particular and why I liked this so much. Sigma 18-50 mm has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, complete with minimum distance of 20cm (7.9″) and a maximum magnification of 1:3, making it ideal for close-up photography. It is specifically designed to suit the characteristics of a digital SLR camera which provides a high level of optical performance.

And because it is F2.8 this lens can take fast photography meaning it can be used for sports and any fast moving objects, also this eliminates blur from photos. The design is incorporate with both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology by which offers superior peripheral brightness, extreme high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction. Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provided with excellent correction of color aberrations.

Another feature it provides is the super multi-layer coating that reduces flare and ghosting which is a common problem with digital cameras. A high quality image is assured throughout the entire zoom range. Also an inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters.

The sigma macro lens is as useful as you can get, it can help you in your professional aspiration as a photographer. There might be a comparison with other camera lenses but I can proudly agree upon that the sigma macro lens is one of the best camera lenses I have ever used.

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The world changes when you put that macro lens on your digital SLR camera. All of a sudden, things appear that you never knew were there before.

This is very cool when it happens.

If you are a major camera brand user, such as Nikon or Pentax, you can use a Sigma Macro lens, however, this article is based on using a Canon EOS digital camera system.

Why? Why not just get the Canon macro lens? Another question, can’t you just use any lens for macro photography?

Excellent questions, and they have some compelling answers.

First, about macro lenses. A specially designed lens is used for getting really close to your subject. It is a macro lens. They are created carefully for this intent. Nevertheless the pieces of glass are placed inside the lens barrel is just right for getting that macro photo.

This allows the macro lens to take much sharper and clearer photos when placed close to a subject. Dedicated macro lenses have only one focal length, such as 105mm. Those lenses that actually include the word “macro” in their title, but they are zoom lenses, are not going to give you the high quality image you desire in your macro photography.

Next, consider using a Sigma macro lens versus a Canon macro lens. Some photo enthusiasts won’t even consider it. If you are one of these, you may as well move on. However, there may be a valid reason to think about it… price.

Usually Sigma Macro lenses for Canon digital SLRs are less money than Canon macro lenses. The good news is that no matter which one you use, Sigma or Canon, you will still get excellent photo quality. Most likely, you can’t tell the difference in image quality between the two. You would have to call in the investigation team from NCIS to figure out which is which.

Third party manufacturers like Sigma have made a commitment. They realize that if they don’t get the quality right in their macro lenses, they will not get any of the market share. They put lots of time and research into getting it right. What they ended up with are great engineering and great lenses.

There are four dedicated macro lenses if you decide on Sigma. The focal lengths are 50mm, 70mm, 105mm, and 150mm. The 105mm macro lens is the lens of choice to start with.

There are two great reasons for this, and it is not because the others are not good. First, you get a true macro image at 1:1 (life size). This is why you buy macro. And the second reason is not one you might think of. The 105mm lens is an excellent portrait lens. Yes, facial portraits. Many portrait shooters use a 100mm lens for the lion’s share of their work, and this one will fill the bill.

Sigma macro ratings are very high. You actually should check ratings before buying any piece of camera equipment. In this case, you will discover that many consider Sigma an equal to Canon in the macro category.

Discovering macro photography may be the defining moment in your photographic hobby or career. The beauty and intricacies of nature make you realize that there is a Creator, and He did not hold back, even in the most minute details.

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