Sigma 70-300Mm F/4-5.6 Dg Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens For Pentax And Samsung Sl...

I wanted a cheap telephoto lens for those times I need the reach. Since I don't use it that often, I felt no need for a large or expensive lens. I debated between this lens, the Tamron 70-300 Di, and the Sigma APO of the same type. This was the cheapest so I went with it. Frankly, I can't believe how good this lens is for its price. At 70mm, it's tack sharp corner to corner. Even 200-300 it's quite good. And the Macro mode is just icing on the cake--1:2 magnification means you can get quite close.

It's true, you need a fair amount of light for this lens to shine--no argument there. But for the individual who only does this sort of stuff for fun, this lens is hard to beat. I can't imagine the APO variant is worth $70 more--I cannot detect any difference from sample pictures posted online. So if you only need a lens of this focal length occasionally, this is the one to get.

I bought this lens along with the Nikon D50 kit that included the 18-55mm lens.

It does Macro (200-300mm) down to about .95m (3 ft). It does tend to hunt for focus quite a bit using the camera's AF-A setting, but does not when in AF-S, however focus is lost quickly when hand-holding. In this situation I end up using an indoor studio with the camera on a tripod, so I set the focus manually anyway.

The Macro setting allows up to a 1:2 magnification at 300, and about 1:3 at 200mm. This is done by allowing closer focusing than the normal 1.5m (5 ft).

When using Macro, the lens is locked to 200-300mm, and you must focus to the normal range before you can flip the switch and zoom back to under 200mm. This can be a slight problem as the lens DOES NOT have a M/A focusing switch. You must go to manual focusing via the camera, focus to normal range, flip lens macro switch, then you can go back down below 200mm and/or re-engage your autofocus.

I have not had any major problems with this lens, and actually enjoy the pictures that I get from it during sports and other telephoto needed activities. It does need a steady hand at the extreme end during lower light levels because it does not have VR, but for what it is made for I have not had any trouble getting sharp pictures. Just don't use it in low light without a tripod.

Focusing is smooth in the normal mode from 1.5m (5 ft) to infinity and it just under 1/4 turn from lock to lock. (Macro is 1/2 turn)

Zooming is smooth from 70mm to about 200mm, and then bunches up (gets slightly harder to turn) from 200 to 300. It zooms back down smoothly the entire way. It is not internally focusing, so at minimum (70mm at infinity) it is about 5" out from the camera, and at maximum (300mm at 3 ft) it is about 8" long.

It has a manual aperture ring at the base, but for autofocus cameras it recommends leaving it locked at max (f/22). [Since it is a D-model lens, it is made for the DX-sized sensor which is smaller than 35mm, and will have vignetting on 35mm, but all DSLRs are autofocus so why they included this is confusing. Just leave it locked at f/22]

The filter ring is 58mm in size. Includes caps, and cylindrical hood that fits nicely, and stores backward on the lens covering the body during storage. Mine has a matte-black finish, but I've seen regular semi-gloss plastic as well.

If you are on a budget, and want to get into telephoto or Macro photography, this lens is great. It does take a bit to get used to, but for the price, I have been satisfied.

First of all I must tell you that I was dragged kicking and screaming into the world of digital SLR photography. Not because I had a love of film on the contrary I hate film photography, it was more like I hated the thought of lugging around lenses and all the other stuff. I managed to build my business and reputation using fixed lens "Pro-sumer" cameras. Long story short what made me move to SLRs was performance, speed, quality and lenses like this one.If you have ever read any of my other reviews you already know I am a terrible gear head and often tend to trick out my cameras to the hilt! I was buying lenses for a rebel XT when I bought this lens on a whim. To start 70-300mm is nothing earth shaking every lens maker in the business has at least one model in this range, but the real kicker with the Sigma is the macro feature, that in a word is simply amazing. The macro feature can be switched in at 200-300mm and is tack sharp for everything from flowers, to coins to whatever!! And considering the focal range this is a relatively fast lens. In a normal capacity its dead sharp in all applications no matter what your light conditions inside or out. I have even used this lens for wedding portraits and got great results. As with all Sigma lenses the build quality is excellent as is the glass giving it the feel of a lens costing a whole lot more. As for accessories I would reccomend both a UV filter as well as a good CPL. Size wise it is what I would rate medium sized (as opposed to my Sigma 50-500mm) this makes it easy to manipulate and use in the field. If you are a Nikon user remove the lens hood and you will get amazing results using your pop-up flash! (Canon doesn't do as well with this.)

Now. If you are into pictures of the great outdoors the next thing I would add is a 2x teleconverter, Sigma claims this lens is not compatable with them and in a sense its not. But if you are willing to manually focus, and adjust the F stops your self you can pump this baby up to a 140-600mm super-telephoto!! I have one of these lenses for both of the SLR's I use (Canon 20D & Nikon D200) and with both using the teleconverter I do have to focus manually but they will meter light! Be prepared however results may be different on your camera. So bottom line is your looking for a great quality lens at a price you can live with? This is it. Are you a new or about to be new digital SLR user? This should be your first lens no question. Canon and Nikon lenses do focus faster and quieter, but what are you doing with that camera that you need to be so fast and quiet anyway? This lens is on either one or both of my cameras all the time, and when you shoot pictures for a living that says alot. Until next time be well and happy shooting!

SiNMiN

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