Features Features
Build &
handlingBuild &
handling
Performance Performance
Value Value4.5
Overall
3.5OverallSD
igma’s 150mm macro was
a good performer but has
now been discontinued,
clearing the stage for this
Irix newcomer. It’s an imposing lens
that weighs in at 840g, and comes with
a tripod collar. This enables a much
better balance in tripod-mounted
shooting, especially in portrait
orientation. The build quality and finish
are impeccable, based on high-quality
optical elements and a weather-sealed
magnesium alloy barrel. While focus
distance and magnification factor
scales are clear to see and the 1.0x
macro working distance is longer than
with any other lens on test, at 17.5cm.
Like the Samyang macro, the Irix is
manual-focus, but includes all the
electronics for camera-driven aperture
control, illumination of focus assist and
confirmation lamps in the viewfinder,
and the display of exposure settings.
Performance
The long-travel focus ring operates
smoothly and has a locking
mechanism. But ultra-fine tweaks for
macro shooting are more fiddly than
with the Samyang lens. Image quality
is excellent in all respects.
esigned for full-frame
cameras, this lens is
equivalent to the ‘effective’
focal length of the Nikon
40mm Micro on DX bodies. It therefore
works quite well as a fairly standard
prime lens, as well as a 1.0x macro
optic. Due to the longer ‘actual’ focal
length than in the DX lens, the shortest
focus distance is greater, at 19cm,
instead of 16cm.
However, the FX lens is physically
longer as well, and while it has an
internal focusing system, the working
distance from the front of the lens to
the subject in full macro photography
is only 1.5cm longer than with the DX
40mm, at 5cm. That’s fine if you don’t
mind getting in really close to whatever
you’re shooting, but most of us prefer a
bit more elbow room to work with,
especially when it comes to macros.Performance
Like the 40mm lens, this one has no
image stabilization, but, thankfully, it
does add an ED element in its more
complex optical path, which comprises
12 elements in total, rather than just
nine. Image quality from both lenses is
similarly good.Irix 150mm f/2.8
0DFUR 'UDJRQȧ\
£499/$595
A macro lens that goes the distance
Nikon AF-S 60mm
f/2.8G ED Micro
£579/$597
Good, if you like getting in really close
Sharpness
Unusually, sharpness across
the whole frame barely drops
off at all when shooting
wide-open at f/2.8.Sharpness
Excellent sharpness
throughout the aperture range
that follows a very similar path
to the 40mm Micro.Fringing
Colour fringing is consistently
minimal throughout the entire
aperture range, like in the
Sigma 105mm.Fringing
Colour fringing is negligible
at f/2.8 and still extremely
minimal at medium to
narrow apertures.Distortion
The amount of pincushion
distortion is so slight that
it’s generally impossible
to spot.Distortion
There’s a touch of
pincushion distortion, but it’s
not enough to cause any
real concerns.N-Photo verdict N-Photo verdict
The weather-sealed
construction and finish
are absolutely
top-notch, and image
quality is fabulous.
This FX lens works well
in general use, but
comes up a bit short
for serious macro
shooting.MACRO LENSES