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Sigma 70-300 APO

  • 30-01-2007 12:36PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭


    I know there are a few people here who have this lens. I was wondering what are the macro capabilities? Obviously, it's not going to be as good as a dedicated macro lens, but is it any use?
    From what I hear, this lens is almost up there with the plastic fantastic nifty fifty in terms of quality output with minimum monetary input? Any comments?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,219 ✭✭✭Calina


    I've never really tried to use the macro side of it (when I bought it I was looking for zoom, not macro - my eye isn't quite (yet) tuned into it). In terms of clarity though it is a terrific lens...I would not be without it now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 154 ✭✭ladgie353


    Good enough for me anyway.
    Half-life size on film/sensor.
    On the downside, a bit slow (5.6 max aperture at 300) and quite bulky if you try to handhold it (spiders don't usually just pose for me), great for flowers though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 236 ✭✭Dr.Louis


    I have that lens and I'm pretty happy with the macro side of it, theres a good working distance between you and the subject, which I like. Heres a couple of photos I took with it set to macro:

    Cobwebonplant.jpg

    Cactus3.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    thanks folks...definitely looks like it's worth 200 quid.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,764 ✭✭✭Valentia


    It's a fantastic lens for the money. I love the colours that it produces. The macro is only 1:2 and you will probably get frustrated after awhile that you can't get in closer.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 313 ✭✭haz


    Valentia wrote:
    It's a fantastic lens for the money. I love the colours that it produces. The macro is only 1:2 and you will probably get frustrated after awhile that you can't get in closer.

    A Tamron 90mm SP lens gets a lot closer (1:1 on 35 mm, with the included extension ring), for peanuts off EBay and is at least two stops brighter. It's my favourite lens. You need the Adaptall-2 mount for your DSLR and it is manual focus, manual exposure - although you can compensate with an old auto-flash.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,735 ✭✭✭mikeanywhere


    One of the Galway Camera Club members has one and his pics he showed last week were simply brilliant. Macro shots werent that close but they were defo close enough to give good detail (mainly due to position of photographer to subject)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,332 ✭✭✭311


    I'm kind of in the same boat at the moment ,but for a different reason.
    Had a look at the canon 70-300 IS today and cant decide whether it's worth extra dosh for the canon compared to the sigma, for what I'll get out of it.
    Mostly wildlife shots ,with occasional candids.
    Canon 660 ,Sigma 200 :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 194 ✭✭abulense


    Was thinking about getting this lens myself. I haven't really heard anything bad about it and for 200yoyos you can't go wrong. Where are you thinking of buying?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    Probably Conns or Berminghams in Dublin. This appears to be one of the few photography items that is cheaper in Irish shops than it is on the web. Pity Gunns don't sell sigma..

    _Brian_: I was going to buy that Canon IS lens, but I doubt that the quality is more than 3 times better than the Sigma. Plus I got a 28-135 IS and 430EX and the missus wouldn't let me buy anything else. I'll have to buy this and sneak it into the bag :cool:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 Rudekid


    The Macro feature is great for getting in close without crowding the subject. You can keep about 1.5m away and still frame a couple of inches. I think it's great for insects as they don't get startled. You need plenty of patience though.
    Don't forget you must extend the lens to 300mm then flick the switch for the macro to work.
    This lens once sold for IR£350. No kidding.
    The APO stands for Apochromatic. Which in simple terms means it focuses the three primary colours (RGB) at the same point giving perfect sharpness across the full spectrum. This was invented by Carl Zeiss and was standard on all Minolta professional lenses.

    Say your a board member at PIXELS and I'll give you a tenner off.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    a tenner off what price?:D and which Pixels?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 Rudekid


    a tenner off what price?:D and which Pixels?

    It retails for €200.
    Discount from PIXELS South Anne St.

    Ask for Colin or Keith


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭PaulieC


    Cool. Thanks..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,614 ✭✭✭JMcL


    Rudekid wrote:
    The Macro feature is great for getting in close without crowding the subject. You can keep about 1.5m away and still frame a couple of inches. I think it's great for insects as they don't get startled. You need plenty of patience though.

    Actually, what the macro switch on the Sigma does is decrease the minimum focusing distance from about 1.5m to I think 90cm, which gives your greater magnification, I presume at the cost of infinity focus (never tested this though)
    Rudekid wrote:
    Don't forget you must extend the lens to 300mm then flick the switch for the macro to work.

    With the more recent versions of this lens, macro is usable anywhere between 200-300mm, the earlier version AFAIK only had macro at 300mm as you said. BTW, don't go near the earlier models for use with DSLRs, they almost never work without rechipping. I say this as I've seen the old version for sale as what I'm pretty sure was new stock in a camera shop in Cork, but this should be the exception rather than the rule (I'm certainly not suggesting that Pixels are selling the old version), and it's more likely to be a problem if you're buying a used lens.

    The old version can be identifed by a gold ring at the front of the lens barrell, the newer model has a red ring. The names are almost exactly the same to add to the confusion, though DG has been added recently to reflect the anti-refelctive coating for digital. Not to mention the other 70-300mm DL lens, which should be avoided too!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25 Rudekid


    I look forward to checking out that macro feature tomorrow Thanks.

    We got our last delivery of 70-300 on Thursday morning. They are the current model with the red band.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,265 ✭✭✭✭Borderfox


    I have one of these lenses still in the box with receipt for €100 canon fit if anyone is looking for one.


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