Sigma 70-300mm AF

Wolf74 · 24th December 2007

I saw this particular lens on ebay, and wanted to know what you guys thought of it. I'm looking for something in that range, but I want to make sure that when I use it all of the functions of the camera are going to work (I'm a bit new to the digital realm). I also saw a Tamron that had the same range. Will everything work the same? Its advertised as Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for Pentax. Thanks for your help!

Zenten · 24th December 2007

Yes the Tamron is very similar to the Sigma in many ways.

fusetrips · 24th December 2007

Originally Posted by Zenten

Yes the Tamron is very similar to the Sigma in many ways.

Between the 2 which one will be a better copy if you were to buy them?

skypacker · 24th December 2007

I have the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro, and it's a great, cheap lens. I have been able to get some good photos out of it. The biggest drawback of the lens is that it's not that good at focusing in low light conditions, but it's not a deal killer unless you photograph moving objects in low light often.

skypacker · 24th December 2007

sample photo taken after 6:30PM yesterday when it was cloudy and dim. I got a few more 'keepers' of panning shots.

Vulpix0r · 24th December 2007

I believe the Tamron is much better in quality as I have used both before... IQ from it is much better.

gigahz · 24th December 2007

I got my First Tamron 18-250mm and all i can say is all GOOD..

fengwei · 26th December 2007

There are several Sigma 70-300 lenses:

Sigma 70-300 DL Macro
Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super
Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super II
Sigma 70-300 DG Macro
Sigma 70-300 DG APO Macro
...

Better get one w/ APO marked. The non-APO versions are quite inferior to those APO ones.

As to Sigma 70-300 APO vs Tamron 70-300, I've played both. Optically I'd say they are about the same. If you see different reviews, mostly is due to sample variation. But the Sigma is better on CA as far as I know. The Tamron 70-300 (435g) is quite abit lighter than the Sigma (550g), although phsically they are about the same size with same filter size.

Personally I like the Sigma better due to its better CA control and more solid feel

But to be honest, you won't see much difference at all for actual use. Just get anyone you prefer.

And of course, the Pentax DA18250 or Tamron 18250 isn't a bad choice. But they are more expensive, and probably you already have a wide zoom lens ...

fusetrips · 26th December 2007

One thing though, Tamron 70-300mm lens aren't easily available in Singapore. A lot of retailers did mention that they doesn't carry this lens.

overdodo · 26th December 2007

Sigma 70-300 DG APO Macro is an excellent lens.

At 300mm, stopped down from 5.6 to 6.3 makes it sharp again !

If you need a lens in this range, the price is hard to beat for the quality...

Wolf74 · 27th December 2007

Yea I actualy put my order in for it a couple of days ago. Now I'm just waiting for that bad boy to get here!

Drumy · 14th June 2008

I found my 70-300 APO lens very slow in focusing

NoMoney · 15th June 2008

Its a good lens and value for money. But do not shoot wide open.

I am a happy owner of it and is still enjoying using it.

dnaxe · 15th June 2008

Make sure you get the DG APO Macro version!

It's got a red line.

peekarwe · 17th June 2008

The APO version is worth the 40% in price increase?

NoMoney · 17th June 2008

Originally Posted by peekarwe

The APO version is worth the 40% in price increase?

40% increase? How much is it right now?

peekarwe · 17th June 2008

On Amazon, the APO version is about USD 205. The non APO version (older) about USD122.

kamikaze · 19th June 2008

Originally Posted by peekarwe

On Amazon, the APO version is about USD 205. The non APO version (older) about USD122.

Hi, where can buy this lens in S'pore, at a good bargain ? And how much it's selling here?
Thks.

peekarwe · 19th June 2008

Originally Posted by kamikaze

Hi, where can buy this lens in S'pore, at a good bargain ? And how much it's selling here?
Thks.

A lot of places... If you want Grey set, go to Orient Photo. It's $298. But it's grey. I bought mine at MS color and given that they have supported me so well, I don't mind going back and paying more. They sell it for $340. Extended 2 years warranty.

kamikaze · 20th June 2008

Originally Posted by peekarwe

A lot of places... If you want Grey set, go to Orient Photo. It's $298. But it's grey. I bought mine at MS color and given that they have supported me so well, I don't mind going back and paying more. They sell it for $340. Extended 2 years warranty.

You have a good deal... I might want to get this too.

How is this Sigma 70-300mm AF vs Nikon 55-200mm VR...
Hope to read some reviews to decide.....

Thanks

24th December 2007	#1
Wolf74 New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5	Sigma 70-300mm AF I saw this particular lens on ebay, and wanted to know what you guys thought of it. I'm looking for something in that range, but I want to make sure that when I use it all of the functions of the camera are going to work (I'm a bit new to the digital realm). I also saw a Tamron that had the same range. Will everything work the same? Its advertised as Sigma 70-300mm DG lens for Pentax. Thanks for your help!

24th December 2007	#2
Zenten Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,206	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF Yes the Tamron is very similar to the Sigma in many ways. __________________ Nikomi Canpen Zenten :eek: Not exactly 100% Natural but definitely the closest you can get to it

24th December 2007	#4
skypacker Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 786	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF I have the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro, and it's a great, cheap lens. I have been able to get some good photos out of it. The biggest drawback of the lens is that it's not that good at focusing in low light conditions, but it's not a deal killer unless you photograph moving objects in low light often. __________________ --- K20D, DA16-50, DA50-135, DA 55-300.

24th December 2007	#5
skypacker Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 786	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF sample photo taken after 6:30PM yesterday when it was cloudy and dim. I got a few more 'keepers' of panning shots. __________________ --- K20D, DA16-50, DA50-135, DA 55-300.

24th December 2007	#6
Vulpix0r Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Posts: 2,793	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF I believe the Tamron is much better in quality as I have used both before... IQ from it is much better.

24th December 2007	#7
gigahz Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Segar Near Bukit Panjang Posts: 629	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF I got my First Tamron 18-250mm and all i can say is all GOOD.. __________________ PENTAXIAN till the End Pentax K20d,DA 50-135,Tamron 28-75, Sigma 10-20 , Qray 70-300, Kit & 540*

26th December 2007	#8
fengwei Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bukit Gombak Posts: 9,105	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF There are several Sigma 70-300 lenses: Sigma 70-300 DL Macro Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super II Sigma 70-300 DG Macro Sigma 70-300 DG APO Macro ... Better get one w/ APO marked. The non-APO versions are quite inferior to those APO ones. As to Sigma 70-300 APO vs Tamron 70-300, I've played both. Optically I'd say they are about the same. If you see different reviews, mostly is due to sample variation. But the Sigma is better on CA as far as I know. The Tamron 70-300 (435g) is quite abit lighter than the Sigma (550g), although phsically they are about the same size with same filter size. Personally I like the Sigma better due to its better CA control and more solid feel But to be honest, you won't see much difference at all for actual use. Just get anyone you prefer. And of course, the Pentax DA18250 or Tamron 18250 isn't a bad choice. But they are more expensive, and probably you already have a wide zoom lens ...

26th December 2007	#9
fusetrips Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 352	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF One thing though, Tamron 70-300mm lens aren't easily available in Singapore. A lot of retailers did mention that they doesn't carry this lens. __________________ All photographs are there to remind us of what we forget.

26th December 2007	#10
overdodo Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 320	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF Sigma 70-300 DG APO Macro is an excellent lens. At 300mm, stopped down from 5.6 to 6.3 makes it sharp again ! If you need a lens in this range, the price is hard to beat for the quality...

27th December 2007	#11
Wolf74 New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF Yea I actualy put my order in for it a couple of days ago. Now I'm just waiting for that bad boy to get here!

14th June 2008	#12
Drumy Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 106	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF I found my 70-300 APO lens very slow in focusing __________________ 30D, Tamron 18-200 3.5-6.3, Canon 50 1.8, Sigma 70-300 APO 3.5-5.6 Flickr

15th June 2008	#13
NoMoney Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ang Mo Kio Posts: 1,206	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF Its a good lens and value for money. But do not shoot wide open. I am a happy owner of it and is still enjoying using it. __________________ Let's get rolling :)

15th June 2008	#14
dnaxe Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,214	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF Make sure you get the DG APO Macro version! It's got a red line.

17th June 2008	#15
peekarwe Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF The APO version is worth the 40% in price increase?

17th June 2008	#17
peekarwe Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Re: Sigma 70-300mm AF On Amazon, the APO version is about USD 205. The non APO version (older) about USD122.