Sigma 70-300 APO - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

12/02/2005 01:56:53 AM · #1

I've read some reviews on the Sigma 70-300 APO, and many have said that this lens is poor after about 200mm.

Can someone here second that, or maybe post pics?

Thanks.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

12/02/2005 02:00:07 AM · #2

The old adage.. you get what you pay for. Probably one of the cheapest 70-300s on the market, it nonetheless can produce some ok photos at the long end when you need it to.

If you go to my portfolio, and check out the wildlife collection, you can see some photos that were taken at the long end of this lens.. specifically, the bird shots.

My portfolio

It isn't consistent however, and I highly recommend a tripod, a nicely bright and sunny day, and some very fast shutter speeds.

Message edited by author 2005-12-02 02:01:26.

Nikon MF 180mm f/2.8 ED AIS

12/02/2005 02:11:09 AM · #3

Thank you for the input!!

Did you shoot your macro's with it too?

mcmurma

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

12/02/2005 02:12:23 AM · #4

Actually, I have the newest DG version for my SD9 and its a helluva a lens, IMHO.

An example at 300mm

Link to full-sized 300mm example at pbase:

//www.pbase.com/mcmurma/image/50535098/original

As mentioned, it is not the fastest lens, and it is much better when stabilized. A tripod would be an excellent idea :)

Message edited by author 2005-12-02 02:14:25.

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

12/02/2005 02:19:09 AM · #5

Originally posted by Guyver:

Thank you for the input!!

Did you shoot your macro's with it too?

Yah, it's really the only lens I have with macro capabilities

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

12/02/2005 02:44:08 AM · #6

Wow!

Thats an incredible shot mcmurma!

I take it thats on 300m?

alien2thisworld

Nikon D70s

12/02/2005 02:50:57 AM · #7

I've got the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon, and I'm satisfied with it, though I have no other zoom lenses to compare it to. I got it because I just got my D70s, and am not ready to dive into a $500 plus lens yet. I want to figure out what my needs are before doing so. I see a lot of people compare this lens to $1000+ lenses and say it is terrible; but for it's price, it is quite acceptable.

If you want, in the morning I can take a few test shots for you to analyze yourself. I'm thinking of doing these 6 test shots:
-70mm at f/4
-70mm at f/32
-200mm at f/5.6
-200mm at f/32
-300mm at f/5.6
-300mm at f/32

Would you like me to take shots at different settings than these for comparison?

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

12/02/2005 03:00:36 AM · #8

Hey,if you wouldnt mind, that would be fantastic!!

*edit*

I mean, those 6 shots are perfect! I think it will give a very clear indication of what to expect!

Message edited by author 2005-12-02 03:02:33.

yido

Canon EOS-5D

12/02/2005 11:34:44 AM · #9

Photozone.de has a review of it.
Looking at the MTF values,when stopped down, it's really sharp at 70, sharp at 200, then at 300 has ok center sharpness with soft corners and with CA. Still performs much better than the Canon 75-300 though. Better to think of the lens as a great consumer 70-200 with a 200-300mm range for use in case you can't zoom closer with your feet.

Prof_Fate

12/02/2005 11:55:27 AM · #10

300mm at f8, 1/500 handheld

300mm at f8, 1/640 handheld

this is at f9, 168mm handheld 1/640

Having spent several hours over the weekend with this lens i think the issue is not so much actual sharpness or inconsistency, but above 200mm is it hard to follow moving subjects and for the camera to get focus at that range. Could be the lighting i was in - very gray skys. For on-the-ground subjects i had no probs getting good focus every time, reliably so. When i first got this lens i had inconsistent focus issues, but it is me, not the lens. Trying to get a robin at 200 feet at 300mm is a tough focus job, and unless the light is good the camera is struggling with a max ap of 5.6, and even at f8 the DOF is somewhat shallow, so it is easy to issues with that or camera shake.
This is an example that is not the lens' fault, but mine.

1/500 at 300mm f8, handheld shot through a window.

The lower part of hte image is sharp - the head and dirt above the head is not.

alien2thisworld

Nikon D70s

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

12/02/2005 11:06:05 PM · #11

Hey, sorry I didn't have time at work today to reply. I'll be home in a few hours and get my test shots posted :)

Pioneer

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG HSM for Canon EOS

12/02/2005 11:14:03 PM · #12

This lens and others have been tested for reviews on photozone, Here is one for this lens and the verdict of their tests is at the bottom of the page.

alien2thisworld

Nikon D70s

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Nikon

12/03/2005 01:55:02 AM · #13

Here are the test images that I took. I have 10 test shots total. All were shot from a tripod using self timer. I apologize for the lame subjects :-\ All shots are direct from camera, no extra sharpening done by camera.

f/4.0 at 70mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1454.jpg
f/22 at 70mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1455.jpg
f/5.0 at 195mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1472.jpg
f/29 at 195mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1451.jpg
f/5.6 at 300mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1459.jpg
f/32 at 300mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1461.jpg

---MACRO---
f/5.0 at 195mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1463.jpg
f/29 at 195mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1462.jpg
f/5.6 at 300mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1464.jpg
f/32 at 300mm
alien2thisworld.net/dsc_1465.jpg