Lens Help appreciated

Funkyzeit

Hi Folks
I have recently purchased a N D70 with 15-70mm lens. My problem (and it's a tough one..:) ) is that I'll be safrying on honeymoon in Jan so ideally would like a better zoom lens.
Don't want to break the budget as I won;t be safariying anytime soon so would something like this suffice?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190061180793&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009

Any help greatly appreciated

sionnach

That looks like the non APO version which is meant to be terrible. I have the same lens sigma 70-300 DG APO and it's great value for the money. I'd say just buy it new in dublin, €200 in Conn's.

It's a lovely lens from 70mm-200mm but above 200 it gets quite poor.

sionnach

Here are some zoo shots i took with mine:

@133mm



@214mm



@300mm

Funkyzeit

Great thxs for the info. Much appreciated.

Ps - nice shots....!

bp_me

You will get a Nikon 70-300 for 189 (+del, 10 from komplett) euro. Cant speak for the quality though

Funkyzeit

Thanks folks. I got the APO version for 175 inc postage from ebay. Thanks again for you help. Will hopefully post some photos up when I get back...!
Slan

judomick

sorry to butt in, could anyone recommend a good lens or lenses , relatively cheap good quality!!! im looking for something for fast paced sports and a good macro lens (1:1) or both if possible thanks, oh its for a canon 400d!

JMcL

judomick wrote:

sorry to butt in, could anyone recommend a good lens or lenses , relatively cheap good quality!!! im looking for something for fast paced sports and a good macro lens (1:1) or both if possible thanks, oh its for a canon 400d!

You won't really find a single lens that'll satisfy both needs. For sports, you'll probably need something 200mm or above, the longest true (1:1) macro I know is a 180mm from Sigma, which is a bit short for sports, and IMHO a bit long for macro on a 400d, unless you're interested in very nervous critters at a bit of a distance.

A budget solution is the 70-300 APO recommended above (see you're not all that off topic!). It's performance up to about 250mm is pretty good (for the money), though a bit soft, but still quite acceptable, above that. I'll also do "macro" at 1:2 in the 200-300mm range. It does an ok job, but will never match a dedicated macro lens.

Here's an example (click on the image to go to the Flickr page)

judomick

appreciate the help thanks!

Calina

judomick wrote:

sorry to butt in, could anyone recommend a good lens or lenses , relatively cheap good quality!!! im looking for something for fast paced sports and a good macro lens (1:1) or both if possible thanks, oh its for a canon 400d!

Depends on what you are doing.

I photograph kitesurfers off the 70-300mm mentioned above (using a 350D). I've got some razor sharp shots off it. I also use a 50-500mm Sigma which is a bit softer in general.

This is my stuff: Calina's kitesurfing shots

the first 20 or so are taken with the 50-500mm and the rest are off the 70-300mm. I must say I like the 70-300mm in general - for the money it is an excellent lens and it puts up with quite a bit of punishment.

mtracey

The 18-70 is a good piece of glass.

With the 70-300 is it the APO II with the red stripe you got ?
Red stripe is the important bit really. There is a version with
a gold stripe thats not up to scratch at all.