Sigma 70 - 300 or Tamron ?

Biscuit761 · 14-01-2007, 10:02 PM

When I got my Nikon D50 last month from Jessops I also got a Tamron 70 - 300 macro lens as part of te deal (£99.99 if bought at the same time).

Have not used this much but so far have been less than impressed with it, OK up to 200mm but very soft after that (just as I read somewhere else after getting it !)

Thinking of seeing if Jessops will take it back in px towards a Sigma 7- - 300 APO macro. Haver heard quite a few comments about this one, most of the good.

Anyone have any experiance of this, Tamron was quite slow to focus, is the Sigma any better, and is focussing more accurate at the far end ?

Also noticed some purple fringing around a white area in the longest length. See below

Jessops quoting £199, can I do any better than this anywhere that they will match to ?

Bill

Strobe · 15-01-2007, 12:18 AM

Here ya go ...
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/...n-af-d-cameras
Can't see Jessops offering you a decent part=ex and price matching though

but might be worth a try.
I don't own the Sigma but was considering 'upgrading' to it from my Sony kit lens - have decided to hold fire ftb as I am not sure there would be sufficient difference to justify the cost.
I have also read that the Sigma is 'soft' above 200mm as well.

beachy · 15-01-2007, 3:32 PM

bill not had any experience of the tamron but looking at your photo here i can see what you mean, bearing in mind your photos are normally to a very high standard.

i've had the sigma 70-300mm APO for about a month now and here are a few i took yesterday, no PP apart from a slight crop and resized for the forum, and bearing in mind how low standard my photos normally are

i have to be honest and say i really miss the IS of the FZ20 and for that reason alone can't see me keeping this lens very long, i think i will sell this soon and go for the nikon vr version,but my reasons are mainly for not having a very steady hand, i'm sure in the hands of the right person the sigma is a great lense for the price.

beachy · 15-01-2007, 3:36 PM

two more i took a couple of weeks ago with the sigma 70-300mm, a slight bit of sharpening and cropping in PS and resized for the forum.

**senu** · 15-01-2007, 4:04 PM

Beachy,Very nice images ,
Nice lens but need a bit of light and a tripod to really shine. That said I can fully relate to you missing IS
I have an IS lens too and wish the Sigma had it but Im learning to live without it,
However Im tempted by Canons 70-200 f 4 IS but looking at the other thread on a similar theme with keen interest

Other examples here

tontoshorse · 15-01-2007, 4:42 PM

Bill, is there a reason why the Nikon 70-300 isn't being considered?

Biscuit761 · 15-01-2007, 5:29 PM

I have ignored the Nikkor lens because it does not have the macro feature which I do want.

Bill

Biscuit761 · 16-01-2007, 5:35 PM

Jessops have just told me that there refund offer is up until 31st Jan for anything bought in December 2006 as long as it looks ok.

If the Sigma 70 - 300 APO is not much better than the Tamron what would be a next step up (without being silly money) - focusing and lack of purple fringing are main requirements, speed and low f numbers next.

Bill

Biscuit761 · 17-01-2007, 12:30 AM

Had a good look round te net tonight and from what I can see unless you pay loads for VR there is either the Nikon, Tamron or Sigma, as I will get another 30 days grace if I can persuade Jessops to do a decent price on the Sigma I think I will try that.

Bill

Biscuit761 · 18-01-2007, 10:35 PM

Jessops have told me that they are currently not price matching lenses, so when I take the Tamron back I will order a Sigma 70 - 300 APO from onestopdigital - £119 inc carriage, wonder if there will be any taxes to pay ?

Has anyone used them in the past ?

Bill

beachy · 18-01-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuit761

Jessops have told me that they are currently not price matching lenses, so when I take the Tamron back I will order a Sigma 70 - 300 APO from onestopdigital - £119 inc carriage, wonder if there will be any taxes to pay ?

Has anyone used them in the past ?

Bill

i used them for that very same lens,delivery took about 5 days with no problems, i never had any tax's to pay, but if you are unlucky enough to get charged they do reimburse you the difference.

PS... i meant to mention before sorry to hijack your thread with my photo's, i was just trying to show you some of the results i got with the sigma lens.

Biscuit761 · 19-01-2007, 1:14 PM

Beachy, no worries about hi-jacking, I thought you were giving me examples.

Thanks for the info on one stop.

Bill