Tamron or Sigma 70-300mm

[Robert B 2]

Hi,

I urgently need some advice on which of these lenses people would advise me to get, which are both in my price range.

I can get the Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Macro for £100 (reduced from £200) if i buy a Canon 350d from Jessops.

But it has been suggested to me that the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens is much better, which I can get for £120 from http://www.onestop-digital.com/catal...sort=2a&page=2

It turns out that the £120 price tag doesn't include the duty it will be hit with as it comes from Hong Kong, so the Sigma might not be as good value as it seems.

Is there really a big difference between them, and if so, what are the pros and cons of the two- e.g. image quality, zoom, parts, etc.

I'd be very grateful for help!

Robert

[Mark123]

The Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro is a very highly regarded lens. Some people would say it's one of the best in the price range. I have one myself and am very happy with it.

[bowenjones]

Can't help on the lenses I'm afraid but if you do order with onestop, they'll refund any customs/duty charges you might have to pay. It also states this in their FAQ's.

[Robert B 2]

I can't find any evidence on the net to suggest the Tamron lens isn't very good. I'm in a bit of a quandry as to what to do.

Does anybody use a Tamron or know anybody who does?

Cheers

[Kobus]

From all I've read, the diff's is much of a muchness.

Kobus

[PLASMABABBY]

Bristol Cameras price has now gone up to £465 for the 350D with kit lens.
But you could still get one from Dixons for £441.79 less £20 with the discount code making it £421.79 (Pity you don't have an Egg Card because that would give you another 5% = £21.08 cashback - total cost then is £400.71).
Then the 70-300mm Sigma mentioned at £120 from One Stop Digital gives you what you are lookin for for £421.79 + £120 = £541.79
For Egg Card holders the package works out at £520.71.

[Robert B 2]

Originally Posted by PLASMABABBY

Bristol Cameras price has now gone up to £465 for the 350D with kit lens.
But you could still get one from Dixons for £441.79 less £20 with the discount code making it £421.79 (Pity you don't have an Egg Card because that would give you another 5% = £21.08 cashback - total cost then is £400.71).
Then the 70-300mm Sigma mentioned at £120 from One Stop Digital gives you what you are lookin for for £421.79 + £120 = £541.79
For Egg Card holders the package works out at £520.71.

Plasma,

How does one acquire a discount code exactly? Do you have one in case I decide to take the Dicko's route? I used the same math you did so it's definitely an option. I'm not sure I like the sound of this getting tax refunded malarky. Plus nobody I've spoken to has a substantial reason why the Sigma is better than the Tamron. But still, it'd be good to have the options.

Cheers

[Astaroth]

plus another 3.5% discount from quidco on top of all the other discounts

[madpup]

Having owned both i think its down to personal chocie
i prefer the sigma, i cant tell you why, i just do!
in my kit now i have a 28-300mm tamron and a 10-20mm EX DC Sigma,
and i would not swap either one of them.

[PLASMABABBY]

Robert B 2,

I have sent you a PM.

Regards

[PLASMABABBY]

Astaroth,

Can you tell us how this Quidco thing works please?

To get a 5% discount I can purchase through the link to Dixons on the Egg Card website (if logged in).
But could I then get another 3.5% from Quidco?

Never heard of it but always willing to learn.

[Valleyman]

I use the Tamron 70-300mm F/4-5.6 LD Macro on occasion. I picked one up for £100 with a purchase of a camera for a friend from Jessops. It's good.

It's better than the Sigma 70-300 NON APO, and far better than the Nikon G 70-300. Have tried the Sigma 70-300 APO and have to say it's slightly sharper at the 300 range, though it's a bit of one of those you don't notice it until you REALLY REALLY look.

For £20 extra I'd prolly go with the Sigma APO, if only for the slightly better build quality over Tamron. One stop digital are fantastic and they will refund any import duty. Though i've never been charged it when buying from them myself.

[MarkE19]

Originally Posted by madpup

in my kit now i have a 28-300mm tamron and a 10-20mm EX DC Sigma and i would not swap either one of them.

Great minds think alike
I've got both of these lenses as well, and with the kit lens and a 430EX I think I've now covered most things (well hopefully as I am totally broke now ).

Mark.

[petrolhead360]

I recently bought the Canon 350D with the Tamron 70-300 option for £99 at Jessops and was surprised and pleased with the results.

I took this pic on first morning straight out of the box on auto.

http://static.flickr.com/68/175544423_0dd8b80401_o.jpg

I thought it would be cheap and nasty but until I can afford something very much better I'll stick wih it.

Hope this helps