Sigma 70-300 mm Lens

devleenas

Hi ALL ,
I own a Rebel XTi that came with a 18-55 canon Lens.
However the lens was a bad choice and I have been eyeing other lenses.
How about Sigma 70-300mm lens .Have any one of you used/using Sigma Lenses ?? How are they ??
I am into clicking nature and will prefer some zoom . Want to click the moon , not uptil the crater level but yes decent moon photos .
any other lenses in the same range giving better performance ??

Also , this lens comes in variants of DG , APO , DG APO , DL ??
what is the best buy in my case and what are all these terms for ??

Will be great if anyone can provide some pointers..

Thanks and Regards,
Devleena

crvlvr

Hi.. Lenses with similar zoom capability can vary in proice significantly. Usually the larger F stop the lens has the more expensive it will be. You might be able to see some reviews here.. http://www.slr-lens.com/#

Wanderer22

If you go for a slower lens in this range, consider an image stabilized version. I bought a stabilized Nikon 70-300mm last year and am very pleased with the results. It's light and small enough not to be a burden.

W22

PeakXV

Browse/search around on the photo.net bboard. It's a fairly technical photography site and some of the pros & cons on any one piece of equipment might drive you a bit mad but you'll learn a ton in the process. Here is a random thread I found on a Sigma lens.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Jorge Reverter

Since my Tamrom 70-300 went down in the first day of my trip in India last November 2006, I have a Sigma 70-300 APO DG. They reccommended me this lenses and I suposse are working well. In my last trip to India October-November 2007 I've used the lens without problems, but my advice is useless as I'm not a connoiseur.

All the best

Jorge

greerdd

I Just got this Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for my Canon 40D, I think it is ideal for digital SLR cameras. This lens has two SLD glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear lens group It is able to shoot with maximum magnification 1: 2 at the focal length of 300 mm. It's the ideal lens for portraits, sports photography, nature photography, and other types of photography that frequently use the telephoto range. I'd highly recommend getting this, especially as a first-time telephoto for people who are getting into DSLRs.

abracax

I have a 10-22mm Sigma EX that is very nice. For long zooms, the Canon 70-200 F4 L lenses have dropped to around $700, and you ain't gonna get a Sigma anywhere near as good for that price. The big question is what are you going to replace the 18-55mm kit lens with? You need a walkaround lens, and even if you keep that lens, 55 to 70mm is big gap when it comes to APC digital sensors. If you really want to make taking pictures worthwhile, get the Canon 24-105 IS L lens. You will not regret it!

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EOS

I think that the 18-55 mm kit lens which came with your XTi is a pretty decent lens and covers a very useful range for landscape and general photography.

For you telephoto requirement I suggest that you stay with canon. The reason being that SIGMA has a bad record in terms of compatibility of older sigma lenses with new canon bodies. Please remember that bodies will change but you buy a lens for very long time. At present the SIGMA 70-300 will work fine with your XTi but it may happen that the in the next body which canon releases the lens may not AUTO FOCUS at all and you get the dreaded error 99 message. In the US, Sigma generally replaces the lens chips free of cost till stocks last...!! where as in India your lens just becomes a paper weight..

Canon makes a number of lenses in this range and you choice depends on how much money you want to spend...

1. canon 75-300 f4.5-5.6 ---- US$ 155
2. canon 70-300 f4-5.6 IS ---- US$ 550
3. canon 70-200 f4 L ---- US$ 600
4. canon 100-300 ---- US$ 280

There are many more but they all cross $1000 range.

If you don't want to spend money then go for first. However I would recommend the second option to you. Its a wonderful piece of glass and comes with IS that is Image Stablisation which is very useful in this range...

robin312007

hi devleena ,
I am a photography student and doing my 2nd year. i would advice you to go for Sigma 70-300mm. It is a very good Zoom lens. Even i am planning for buying the same for my Nikon F80. Right now i am using a Nikkor 70-300Dmm ED lens and its just superb.
But first check out some website of Sigma lenses and get the right one to fit your Camera. There are different mount for different Brand of Camera. For nikon its F / AF mount and for Canon check out the canon mount sigma lens. For pentax its K mount. Otherwise no other brand mount will fit your canon.

Good lUck

robin312007

but dear,

Sigma lenses are much cheaper than Canon or tamron or nikon brand with same performance.

EOS

The sigma 70-300 goes for about US$ 140 and canon 75-300 goes for about US $155. The image quality of both the lenses can be considered same. So for a difference of only Rs. 600 and future compatibility issues i don't think it will be wise to go for the Sigma.

Yes i know SIGMA lens are cheaper but i think future compatibilty issues weigh more to me....

Hyderabadi

I have a Tamron AF18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di II which I have on all the time. And a Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM for low light stuff etc.

I've rarely felt the need for 300mm, but that's just me.

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PeakXV

Rarely need it except when the white-breasted kingfisher finally shows itself .... and then you decide that you would do much better with a 500mm.

devleenas

@EOS : the future compatibility is one thing to be looked at for sure but there is one more difference between
canon 75-300 and sigma 70-300. The sigma lens comes with IS which makes a huge difference while zooming .

Well, I have settled for the sigma 70-300 .
Thanks a ton guys

EOS

Devleenas

SIGMA does not repeat DOES NOT make any 70-300 lens for canon mount which is Image stablized.
Who ever is selling you this lens in the name of Image Stablization is taking you for a ride...

To confirm this just check the lens if OS (optical stablization)
is written on it. If its not there then the lens is certainly not stablized...