Is the Sigma 70-300 good?

[lizzy]

How does the sigma 70-300 compare with the pentax 50-200?

sharing a link on summary of pentax lens

http://wiki.nerdylorrin.net/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=CameraLenses

 

[longko]

How does the sigma 70-300 compare with the pentax 50-200?

sharing a link on summary of pentax lens

http://wiki.nerdylorrin.net/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=CameraLenses

DA 50-200 is sharper & AF is faster. Sigma more functions but QC is not constant, so not all lens are sharp. This question like every month also see one:bsmilie:

 

[night86mare]

Not sure if the 50-200 is good, but I've been using a borrowed copy of 70-300 macro version for a while now, mainly for macros, I like the range and the fact that it -is- macro, albeit fake-macro and 2:1 ratio.

A little soft on the 200-300 end yes, but I've taken a few potshots from 70-200 and it's pretty sharp. Good if you like to take butterflies and dragonflies, and don't need those longko-style large large bug eye shots.. =D Would post a few pictures, but sharpness issue not that visible at this size anyways.

 

[longko]

don't need those longko-style large large bug eye shots.. =D

:bsmilie: Ya the more magnification the better

 

[the mac 13]

Lens is good to me, but the only complaint is the hood which is easily scratchable.

 

[alanswan]

:bsmilie: Ya the more magnification the better

Think longko is aiming for the day he can capture the individual cells in the bug's eye... :what:

 

[longko]

Think longko is aiming for the day he can capture the individual cells in the bug's eye... :what:

Nah I'll be happy if I can get 3-5:1 macro handheld:bsmilie: But before that, I need to go back to basic again. My shots lacks life again:dunno:

 

[SeanIR]

I have been using the Sigma 70-300mm for the last 6 mths when i bought it. Its a good lens but its not as sharp as the others. The good thing about it is that its more compact and lightweight than Similar nikon or canon lenses.

This the lens I use when I need to travel with minimal gear for work. Great Shots and it lets me even take MACRO at 200-300mm. It has never let me down yet.

However the Zoom ring gets abit loose over time. When it was new it would not extend out by itself if you held it upright but over time it thens to slip out by itself.

Anyway overall good lens, quality good, size & weight very good, made in JAPAN and best of all price point; less than S$350. MS colour selling at S$330.

 

[lizzy]

thanks guys for your valuable inputs.

anyone know it's performance against sigma 18-200? i am thinking of replacing it with 17-70 + 70-300 combo, so if the 70-200 range is sharper than the 18-200, i think i will go for it...

 

[dnaxe]

Nah I'll be happy if I can get 3-5:1 macro handheld:bsmilie: But before that, I need to go back to basic again. My shots lacks life again:dunno:

I think for that the best way is to have a dedicated macro shooting setup... canon 350D, Canon's 5:1 lens, and a ring flash

 

[longko]

I think for that the best way is to have a dedicated macro shooting setup... canon 350D, Canon's 5:1 lens, and a ring flash

Don't want. No SR :bsmilie: I lazy to take tripod/monopod everywhere liao. Besides I seriously prefer K10D over other below 2k cameras

 

[dnaxe]

thanks guys for your valuable inputs.

anyone know it's performance against sigma 18-200? i am thinking of replacing it with 17-70 + 70-300 combo, so if the 70-200 range is sharper than the 18-200, i think i will go for it...

I suspect that it will be - although I don't own both so it's hard to tell.

Here are a couple of sigma 70-300 shots (no PP - but resized down by picasa):

http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687246765357874
http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687813701041106
http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687500168428418

(actually, everything in any of my albums which has a focal length of 70 to 300 is from the sigma 70-300 - I don't own any other glass in that range)
You haven't been happy with your 18-200?

 

[SeanIR]

Using telephoto lenses one has to give up something over the other.
Prime lenses (which are fixed 35mm or 50mm, etc) usually give the sharpest and clearest shots.
Telephoto lenses usually sacrifice some sharpness and clarity and sometimes there are some aberrations (u are lucky is it is not that noticeable, especially on good quality lenses).
However, the biggest plus for tele lenses is the fact that they can help you take shots of different focal lenghts.

The actual truth is today photo bugs are really really spoilt for choice! I remember using only 35mm or 50mm lenses to take shots. Long focal lens or telephoto lenses were really astronomical in price and difficult to get.
So up to you, choose well. And for your info, some of the best photos in the world were taken
by prime lenses 70mm or less, usually 35mm. Think about it.

 

[lizzy]

I suspect that it will be - although I don't own both so it's hard to tell.

Here are a couple of sigma 70-300 shots (no PP - but resized down by picasa):

http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687246765357874
http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687813701041106
http://picasaweb.google.com/alexander.yap/2007UKPeakDistrictAndSurrounds/photo#5070687500168428418

(actually, everything in any of my albums which has a focal length of 70 to 300 is from the sigma 70-300 - I don't own any other glass in that range)
You haven't been happy with your 18-200?

for travel, i think the 18-200 has a very versatile range without changing lens

but i am thinking of getting better quality lens (without bursting my budget) when going for dedicated photo shoots. 17-70 is the main reason for changing my setup, 70-300 is to cover the remaining range

 

[lizzy]

tested 70-300 and i am impress :thumbsup:

300mm 100% crop

 

[allylaurente]

I like this lens. Its sharp at 70-200mm. My only problem is the slow focus and sometimes it can't focus at all. Overall rating is :thumbsup: for the price, sharp and lightweight.


Sigma 70-300mm APO

 

[longko]

tested 70-300 and i am impress :thumbsup:

300mm 100% crop

That's a sharp copy Better grab it fast

 

[elmzarcega]

here are some samples of how my sigma 70-300 performs... considering that this was shot in a very poor lighting... taken from the recent Top model of the world at Millenia walk...

 

[lizzy]

That's a sharp copy Better grab it fast

it is already in my hands :bsmilie: