Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback

bluemoon · 26th September 2006

Hi, would like to hear some feedback about the Macro function of the above lens? I.e., is it easy to use, what is the quality and resolution like, etc?

Hoky · 26th September 2006

Originally Posted by bluemoon

Hi, would like to hear some feedback about the Macro function of the above lens? I.e., is it easy to use, what is the quality and resolution like, etc?

Hmmm... not sure what you meant but can you define easy to use...
You can only use the macro mode from 200mm to 300mm. The lens does not let you switch macro prior to that range.
Quality of pics are quite good for it's price. Focusing is slow though.
Resolution of image depends on your camera body.

htthach · 26th September 2006

good resolution
slow focusing
macro 1:2 at 300mm
i don shoot much at tele so i'm ok with this lens

medallion · 26th September 2006

A good lens for that price range.

bluemoon · 26th September 2006

I've read some reports that to use this lens in Macro mode you'll probably need a tripod or very very steady hands.. but I guess that depends on the lighting and ISO also right

midicity · 26th September 2006

Originally Posted by bluemoon

I've read some reports that to use this lens in Macro mode you'll probably need a tripod or very very steady hands.. but I guess that depends on the lighting and ISO also right

Not really. Took this shot of an orchid handheld without flash at 300mm with the lens

resols · 26th September 2006

Wow, looks great!

Thinking of getting this lens too, but not sure how it compares to the Tamron 70-300mm.
Anyone knows which is better - in terms of quality and pricing?

FilterFunk · 26th September 2006

the sigma is better and more popular as well. IIRC its $320..

Hoky · 26th September 2006

I second that.

Here's something I took with my 70-300 APO DG Macro in Monterey, CA.

synapseman · 26th September 2006

I bought one 2nd hand for approx 200 bucks, and for the money, it totally kicks donkey, especially under bright sunny days. Good contrasty images and better resolution compared to the Tamron 28-300mm which I replaced.

But under low-light, the Sigma really starts to hunt. If you're shooting moving action at night like sports or fashion, guaranteed you're going to lose some crucial shots if you have to rely on AF.

Another thing I don't like is that it isn't internal-focusing, so when using it, you have to grasp the lens barrel v close to camera body, which makes it quite unstable. And of course, the hassles if you're going to use filters like polarizers and graduates.

But still, for $200-300 bucks, it's an excellent buy.

Razor54 · 26th September 2006

Originally Posted by midicity

Not really. Took this shot of an orchid handheld without flash at 300mm with the lens

Wow....looks like some special effects Windows screensaver......

It's a good value for money tele lens....

Venom81 · 27th September 2006

Value tele lens.

I also have this lens.

tankm · 27th September 2006

I'm using the non-DG version of the same lens. Very good value for normal and macro shots as well. Macro shots on tripod is highly recommended but handheld shots are possible with the use of flash.

The Macros although it's only half-size, it's great for butterfly and larger insects as you can't really get too close to them.

Some macros from the SIGMA APO 70-300mm handheld + flash.
http://tankm.fotki.com/small/ahbt/

devilboy · 27th September 2006

Originally Posted by bluemoon

Hi, would like to hear some feedback about the Macro function of the above lens? I.e., is it easy to use, what is the quality and resolution like, etc?

Great Budget lens I have been researching for this and so far, most of the reviews I got is that this is one decent lens. But beware when buying it, check and check and check... well known for their dust and lens problem, got a colleague got a 17-70mm just to find that the lens is on the left side is tilted. Please test it before you buy it...

bluemoon · 27th September 2006

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Wondering if more people could post some macro pics taken with this lens?

swimcraze · 27th September 2006

Originally Posted by tankm

I'm using the non-DG version of the same lens. Very good value for normal and macro shots as well. Macro shots on tripod is highly recommended but handheld shots are possible with the use of flash.

The Macros although it's only half-size, it's great for butterfly and larger insects as you can't really get too close to them.

Some macros from the SIGMA APO 70-300mm handheld + flash.
http://tankm.fotki.com/small/ahbt/

thanks for sharing...great stuff! love the bokeh....wondering if the DG version bokeh is just as good? which version is yours? red ring?

tankm · 28th September 2006

Yeap..it's the red ring APO version, one version before the current DG version. The DG version should be the same except for some lens coating changes to reduce sensor reflectivity according to Sigma.

Originally Posted by swimcraze

thanks for sharing...great stuff! love the bokeh....wondering if the DG version bokeh is just as good? which version is yours? red ring?

natania · 3rd October 2006

how about the gold ring version? how is that differerent from the red ring version?

Madmax · 3rd October 2006

Originally Posted by swimcraze

thanks for sharing...great stuff! love the bokeh....wondering if the DG version bokeh is just as good? which version is yours? red ring?

I bought a 2nd-hand latest DG version.
Is the bokeh of this maco nice?

Hoky · 3rd October 2006

Not bad...

26th September 2006	#1
bluemoon Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bukit Timah Posts: 180	Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback Hi, would like to hear some feedback about the Macro function of the above lens? I.e., is it easy to use, what is the quality and resolution like, etc?

26th September 2006	#3
htthach Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: dover Posts: 1,055	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback good resolution slow focusing macro 1:2 at 300mm i don shoot much at tele so i'm ok with this lens

26th September 2006	#4
medallion Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: West Posts: 315	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback A good lens for that price range.

26th September 2006	#5
bluemoon Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bukit Timah Posts: 180	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback I've read some reports that to use this lens in Macro mode you'll probably need a tripod or very very steady hands.. but I guess that depends on the lighting and ISO also right

26th September 2006	#7
resols New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 23	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback Wow, looks great! Thinking of getting this lens too, but not sure how it compares to the Tamron 70-300mm. Anyone knows which is better - in terms of quality and pricing?

26th September 2006	#8
FilterFunk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: 卧龙岗 Posts: 2,659	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback the sigma is better and more popular as well. IIRC its $320..

26th September 2006	#9
Hoky Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,186	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback I second that. Here's something I took with my 70-300 APO DG Macro in Monterey, CA.

26th September 2006	#10
synapseman Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,088	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback I bought one 2nd hand for approx 200 bucks, and for the money, it totally kicks donkey, especially under bright sunny days. Good contrasty images and better resolution compared to the Tamron 28-300mm which I replaced. But under low-light, the Sigma really starts to hunt. If you're shooting moving action at night like sports or fashion, guaranteed you're going to lose some crucial shots if you have to rely on AF. Another thing I don't like is that it isn't internal-focusing, so when using it, you have to grasp the lens barrel v close to camera body, which makes it quite unstable. And of course, the hassles if you're going to use filters like polarizers and graduates. But still, for $200-300 bucks, it's an excellent buy. __________________ The synapseman uses Sony Alpha system & Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2.

27th September 2006	#12
Venom81 Workshop/Shoot Organiser Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,947	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback Value tele lens. I also have this lens.

27th September 2006	#13
tankm Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,619	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback I'm using the non-DG version of the same lens. Very good value for normal and macro shots as well. Macro shots on tripod is highly recommended but handheld shots are possible with the use of flash. The Macros although it's only half-size, it's great for butterfly and larger insects as you can't really get too close to them. Some macros from the SIGMA APO 70-300mm handheld + flash. http://tankm.fotki.com/small/ahbt/ __________________ More photos @ myPhotos Album

3rd October 2006	#18
natania Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 155	Re: Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro feedback how about the gold ring version? how is that differerent from the red ring version?