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

[beeje25]

Hello all,

I'm really new to the world of wildlife photography how ever I have been taking photos for a few years. I was wondering if anyone has used the Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 APO DG Macro and how they found it. As im new to this style of photography I wouldn't want to spend a lot of money on a lens I may only use a few times a year. is this a worth while purchase?

[Boddie]

what specifically would you use it for?

[ollyk]

Macro is surprisingly good and while not as sharp as my Sigma 17-70 if good light the extra reach is more useful as you can see above. I tend to use manual focus a bit more than auto but that might be better with newer generation cameras than my 350d.

I am usually disappointed with birds, unless they are very close or large examples. I could post a couple examples tomorrow maybe..

I should point out that one of the final elements on my lens seems to have some tiny liquid-like spots on the outer rim (doesn't look like fungus but lubricant?) tbh I doubt they make that much difference but who knows. Would be more than a replacement lens to get it sorted!

One more thing there is an OS version without the macro might be worth checking out...?

[Stinky Bob]

I used it on a Nikon D50 and didn't have any issue's, not good enough for birds in my opinion, then used the lens on a Nikon D90 and it was awful with very high levels of Chromatic Aberration, I even sent the Nikon away for repair but the problem with CA was still their.

[ollyk]

Couiple of shots from the weekend Springwatch event in Manchester...





I don't think these images necessarily do the lens true justice however it is typical of what I might expect from the majority of pictures...

[beeje25]

thanks every one for such helpful answers. I'm booked on to a trip to costa rica this year and I know I will get a few chances to photograph frogs and other amphibians birds and monkeys, im also working on bringing a bit of our native wildlife into our garden. I did look at the OS version but with my 7d Im happy to hand hold up too around 300mm with not too much camera shake

[tomw]

I used to use this lens as my main telephoto and it did produce some very pleasing results. When stopped down in good light it is even better, obviously it has its limitations and the macro is nothing compared to a true macro reproduction ratio it does the job well for a very reasonable price. Certainly a good choice if you are just testing the wildlife photography water so to speak.

Cheers, Tom.

[DrNickBurton]

Originally Posted by beeje25

thanks every one for such helpful answers. I'm booked on to a trip to costa rica this year and I know I will get a few chances to photograph frogs and other amphibians birds and monkeys, im also working on bringing a bit of our native wildlife into our garden. I did look at the OS version but with my 7d Im happy to hand hold up too around 300mm with not too much camera shake

Beeje, you're considering putting a £150 lens on a £1200 body? You'd get much better images with a £150 camera body and a £1200 lens

[nigel_b]

Originally Posted by DrNickBurton

Beeje, you're considering putting a £150 lens on a £1200 body? You'd get much better images with a £150 camera body and a £1200 lens

I couldnt agree more, however if you're starting with a 7D that changes things. If it were me I'd look through the classifieds and pick up a s/h 300 or 400mm prime then sell it on my return. Might not even cost very much doing it that way.

[beeje25]

Originally Posted by nigel_b

I couldnt agree more, however if you're starting with a 7D that changes things. If it were me I'd look through the classifieds and pick up a s/h 300 or 400mm prime then sell it on my return. Might not even cost very much doing it that way.

Thanks everyone for the advice I was going to buy this lens a a general walk around lens but I'm now going to hire a 100-400 L lens for the two week