Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super

Like others - I traded in an old sigma lens that couldn't be chipped to work with my 30D.

I think I've got a great copy of this lens as I've found nothing to complain about. I was prepared to be disappointed having read all the hype about L series lenses but so far (about 10 months) I've got nothing but praise.

It's pretty sharp until the very end of the zoom and the macro function works well when you can operate the switch. Zoom is a little stiff.

I've never been too sure what people mean when they say that the autofocus is noisy and slow on a lens - sure it's not silent but it's fast enough for me. I'd bet that unless you're shooting F1 (the sport not the aperture) then it'll focus fast enough for you too.

IQ overall is great - haven't come across any colour casts or vignetting. Will take a really good lens (probably an L when I can afford it) to move me on from this lens

Great value; good IQ; nice macro; not too big and heavy;

Macro switch fiddly; not great in low light; Looks a bit naff fully extended - better with the lens hood (supplied)

Sigma 70-210
Canon 50mm f1.4

Great - spoke on the phone to a real bloke (ie not a computer)

I just picked this lens up from Hentry's previously enjoyed department. I originally had the Non APO version and traded it for the Nikon 70-300 (what a mistake that was) So I was passing Henry's one day and saw the 70-300APO macro, so I puchased it... It is much sharper with better contrast than the non-APO version. I have taken some amazing shots with it and find using the macro feature the most useful - sharp - contrasty and nice colour Focusing can be a problem in macro mode (but then you should manually focus anyway) and don't even try to use this lens in low light - hunting can drive you nuts. But then I bought it purely for daytime macro use and it is working out great For the price this lens is a great deal - even if you only use it for macro If you want to taken action or sports you'll need to pay a lot more for a better lens and should probably think about prime and not zoom

Great for daylight macro work - a lot cheaper than the Nikon Macro's Very reasonably priced Great images

Does not work well in low light or for action

Nikon 70-300 Sigma 70-300 (non-APO)

No Experience

I had an old non-APO, non-DG version of this lens with my Canon EOS 50. When I upgraded to a 350D, I discovered that it was no longer compatible with the camera, generating the dreaded 'Err 99'. I learned that a re-chip might be possible and an e-mail to Sigma was answered within an hour. Alas, my lens was so old that re-chip was not possible (there are several versions of this lens going back over the years), but Sigma did offer me an excellent upgrade price to a new APO, DG version. Unfortunately, the new lens turned out to be a very poor performer at anything more than 200mm. Shots looked extremely soft, as though a soft-focus filter was used. I thought this was perhaps all I could expect, but comparisons with shots from the old lens showed that it shouldn't be like this. Another e-mail to Sigma was answered within 24 hours and they agreed to replace the lens with another specimen. The second lens is very good - well up to my expectations. Don't expect 'L'-series quality, but do expect to get very usable shots that will be adequate for most purposes. In fact, with a sharpening filter in Photo-shop, even crops from small areas and large enlargements are entirely satisfactory. I had the opportunity to try a Canon 75-300 and the Sigma is marginally better at all focal lengths. The lens is easy to live with - relatively compact and not too heavy. The macro facility is very useful.

With a good sample, optical quality is excellent for the money. Build quality and feel is good.

- Based on my experience, Sigma still have quality-control issues. - AF motor is a bit noisy (but OK)

Canon 75-300

Superb - fast and knowledgable response to all e-mails. I can't fault it.

*Note* This review is for the Sigma 70-300mm APO Macro DG:red ring(couldn't find this on the site) http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3303&navigator=3 Being rather new to photography and SLR cameras I don't have the experience or previous equipment to compare it to, besides my Canon 18-55mm kit lens, but I thought I would share some first impressions anyway for those of you deciding on a consumer lense in this range. Out of the box- As soon as I got out of the store i opened up the box and mounted the lense (i'm sure many of you have done this as well ). It comes with a lense case for easy storage and protection. IT also comes with a lense hood which is an added bonus. Build- Weighing 550g it definitely put some added weight on my XT, but hardly noticeable. Personally I like the build, it doesn't feel or look cheap, it's quite sturdy and stable. I believe it is a little heavier than the APO MACRO SUPER II model which was 530g. Fully extended it's just about 8 inches long or 3 inches form the front end of the lense. This may cause some weird looks but expected from a zoom lense i would imagine. Add the lense hood on that and it's even longer. The focusing barrels are not the smoothest, rotating is quite jerky but the focusing ring is fairly smooth. I spent the whole day at the Zoo a few weeks ago and had no trouble keepin this on the camera and around my kneck. It's not too heavy to lug around at all. Performance and Quality- Like most consumer zoom lenses I found the quality to be decent up to 200mm. I've gotten some pretty sharp pics at this range and combined with a tripod, the quality and sharpness is acceptable. It's not razor sharp, but for a consumer lense the quality is acceptable. Under 200mm is where this lense shines, though i haven't found a sweet spot yet I was rather pleased with the results. Between 200-300mm it does get soft and a tripod is a must at these ranges. I did manage to get some decent shots at 300mm hand held by increasing the shutter speed and stopping down, but again soft results due to hand shake. It's relatively hard to keep still at 300mm, which is expected. It would really be nice to have "IS" on this lense. I'm sure results would be different when mounted on a tripod. The range is great! From my 17 floor apartment, I took a shot of a car's license plate parked in a house across the street, when cropped 100% the licence plate number was readable. I find the colours to be slightly lacking. The shots I did take required minimal post production, levels, saturation etc. but not really necessary with the right lighting conditions and changing parameters on the camera, but that's more personal preference. Macro mode is a nice touch to this lens but to use the macro setting you have to be between 200-300mm. I was still able to get some decent shots hand held but a tripod would greatly increase the success rate of getting good pictures. Focusing does well in good lighting conditions, it's slightly noisy but not unbearable, and it's not the fastest either. In shade, indoor this lens tends to hunt, I found myself focusing manually in these consitions. This is not a good indoor lens, using a flash helps. Overall, I'm pleased with the lens, and for it's price it's probably one of the better consumer lenses out there. However, being a serious amateur it wasn't long before i yearned for better quality, so i'm now looking into the Canon 70-200mm f.4 L. I do freelace design part time and have had some offers to do portraits and other small things so I would definitely need better quality. If you want good quality and sharpness I would suggest to save a little more for the canon 70-200mm f.4 L...but that's another review:)

Bang for the buck, good range, great for out doors, sharp under 200mm in good lighting, light, Macro function, comes with case and hood.

Hunts in low light, noisy motor, colors a tad dull, jerky barrels.

Canon 70-200mm f.4 L

This test is when the lens being used on a APS sized CMOS sensor digital camera (Canon 20D) and not a 35mm CCD or film camera. Users of a larger sensor of film camera can expect even beter results in my opinion. Price £169. Part exchanged my Canon 75-300 non IS USM after seeing the comparison shots on the net. First feelings where of a good improvment at all ranges when wide open.Lens is not as well made as the Canon and focus is slower. Under good light conditions this lens will give very (and I mean very) sharp images if you stop down 1 or 2 stops. Under low light conditions it is slightly better than the Canon ,but suffers from unsharp images and general lack of detail.There is also some CA with the appature wide but nowhere near the amount of the Canon.Focus also hunts in low light and it is quite easy for the lens to back or front focus in these conditions.Macro switch is crap and has to have the focus in the non macro range before is will return to its correct position. If your looking for a walk around lens then this is a good choice as it performs well under most situations.

Cheap. Sharp under good lighting conditions Light weight. Fairly well made (not as good as the Canon consumer lenses though). Best in the price range. Excelent Sigma backup (not used) Comes with a nice lens bag!

Hunts in low light Macro switch horrid! slow to focus

Canon 70-300 USM

From what I have read there great.