Sigma Lens

[Kerry]

Hi Everyone

I am going to be purchasing a Canon 400D and I am looking around at lenses. I am interested in this lens: Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro and wondered if anyone knew anything about it? I will eventually buy better lenses but initially wanted one that will allow me to do macro photography as well as distance work. Does anyone know of anywhere on the web that I can see photos taken with this lens?

I welcome other suggestions on lenses. I can't go daft on price which is why I was interested in the Sigma.

Many thanks for your help.

Kerry

[Boddie]

If you are going to be buying the Canon 400 the Sigma seems a waste of money.

You'd be better off buying a dedicated macro, as the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG will only produce average shots, compared to something like the Sigma 105

[Boddie]

Sorry I got confused. I thought you meant the 400 mil lens. (Although you did state the 400D) Durrr

So I retract what I said - that lens would suit you down to the ground and has had some good write-ups on WAB

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Boddie

If you are going to be buying the Canon 400 the Sigma seems a waste of money.

You'd be better off buying a dedicated macro, as the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG will only produce average shots, compared to something like the Sigma 105

I agree with Boddie on this. I went down this route a while back but with a Canon 350D. I bought a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG macro lens. This lens takes some very decent images at the telephoto end of the lens but I was dissapointed with the macro results from it. I still have this lens but it is very rarely used. I finished up buying a Sigma 50 -500 mm for bird photography and a sigma 150mm for the macro work. although it's tempting to go for a lens that doubles as a telephoto and macro there is really no substitute for a dedicated lens for each job. But that is only my opinion.
Roger

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Ollie

I agree with Boddie on this. I went down this route a while back but with a Canon 350D. I bought a Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG macro lens. This lens takes some very decent images at the telephoto end of the lens but I was dissapointed with the macro results from it. I still have this lens but it is very rarely used. I finished up buying a Sigma 50 -500 mm for bird photography and a sigma 150mm for the macro work. although it's tempting to go for a lens that doubles as a telephoto and macro there is really no substitute for a dedicated lens for each job. But that is only my opinion.
Roger

Hi Roger

Unfortunately those lenses are way out of my price range. At the moment I would be looking to spend £250-£300 max on a lens. Any thoughts on lens in that price range?

Many thanks
Kerry

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Sorry I got confused. I thought you meant the 400 mil lens. (Although you did state the 400D) Durrr

So I retract what I said - that lens would suit you down to the ground and has had some good write-ups on WAB

I have searched the forum for write ups on it but couldn't find any. I'll have another search.

Thanks

Kerry

[Boddie]

If it were me personally I would buy a dedicated macro (such as the Sigma 105 mil) and forget about the telephoto end until you have mastered the techniques of photography.

Or you risk doing what most of us do - Buying a jack of all trades lens, which you quickly find does not do the job, frustrates you, so you end up with a lens worth nothing second hand only to then buy a dedicated telephoto and dedicated macro at a later date.

[matt_xyz]

Hi Kerry,

here are a few reviews.

Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro review

Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Photozone Test Report / Review

PhotographyJam - the photographer's resource: Mini review: Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO

I have no experience of the lens, but given your budget I think it sounds a reasonable purchase. As Roger (Ollie) has said above I think you can expect it to perform better as a telephoto lens than as a macro lens as it is not a dedicated macro lens as such. It perhaps therefore depends on your priorities. With spring around the corner it may be better to buy a dedicated macro lens such as the Sigma 105 or 150.

Matt

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by Boddie

If it were me personally I would buy a dedicated macro (such as the Sigma 105 mil) and forget about the telephoto end until you have mastered the techniques of photography.

Or you risk doing what most of us do - Buying a jack of all trades lens, which you quickly find does not do the job, frustrates you, so you end up with a lens worth nothing second hand only to then buy a dedicated telephoto and dedicated macro at a later date.

Thanks Boddie. I suppose I am doing what most people make the mistake of doing: wanting everything at once! Your suggestion of the Sigma 105 is within my price range and I am probably best going for that at first and saving up for a telephoto lens.

Thanks for your help.
Kerry

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

Hi Kerry,

here are a few reviews.

Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro review

Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG macro - Photozone Test Report / Review

PhotographyJam - the photographer's resource: Mini review: Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO

I have no experience of the lens, but given your budget I think it sounds a reasonable purchase. As Roger (Ollie) has said above I think you can expect it to perform better as a telephoto lens than as a macro lens as it is not a dedicated macro lens as such. It perhaps therefore depends on your priorities. With spring around the corner it may be better to buy a dedicated macro lens such as the Sigma 105 or 150.

Matt

Thanks for the reviews Matt. The Sigma 105 would be within my price range so I will probably opt for that as I really enjoy doing macros.

Many thanks
Kerry