Just now had time, what with the kickoff of college football season and all, to get the lens out for a closer look. It is a Sigma 400mm f/5.6 and has the designation APO Tele Macro on it. I found this picture on the web, and it is the one on the left:





In the focus display, there is a setting for 1:3 Macro, which I am assuming is 1/3 of life size? There also is a click ring right near the mount that certainly seems to be a manual aperture adjuster. It is marked from 5.6 to 32. This would certainly make the lens more useful if it is what I think it is. There is a switch to limit the range (Full, Limit) for the autofocus, which won't work anyway, but it is interesting in that it seems to allow for 0-3.5m, 3.5m-infinity and full range. The manual focus ring is literally almost as wide as my hand, and workssmoothly, with a nice amount of friction.


There is a plate and collar thing attached which has the name Kirk Enterprises. This seems to allow the lens to mount toa tripod or monopod and rotate the body from portrait to landscape with convenient little markings for either, but would allow for infinite intermediate rotation, and will go 360 degrees +. Nifty little design, quick release, but won't come off accidentally.


Should I get the Fotodiox adapter with the focus confirmationchip ($149) or without ($89)? I don't see the need for the chip, personally, but then maybe I don't understand why it would be useful. If the $60 would be well spent, then I'll get it, but if I'll never use it, I'd rather save for something else. Please, anyone with experience or knowledge of these adapaters, jump in and help me out!


Thank you.