Views on Sigma 70-300 APO DG

Hi all,

I am currently awaiting my local Calumet store to get a Sigma 70-300 APO DG lens in for me to check out. I have read some good reviews and some average ones. Has anybody had much experience of this lens and what are the results like?

TIA

This is a very popular lens and has undergone several changes over the years. I have the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro Super. I believe htere is also a Macro Super II variant, and your DG version.

If you can supply the complete model number, others may contribute but the different versions have different capabilities. For instance, mine has the macro facility, but only at 300mm. Other versions can be used in macro mode between 200-300mm.

I have a APO Macro that's about 12 years old and it's a very, very good lens...

However, I have recently bought the EX 70-200 and 100-300 lenses which are in a different class, quality and price....

Get the most recent DG version (do buy the APO) at the best price and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Gashley,

I have the Sigma 70-300 APO DG and it does enable macro between 200-300 - excellent results.

Mike

Thanks for the replies.

The one I will get is the newest model with macro function. I had read that at 300mm the image can be quite soft. I was also looking at the Tamron 70-300 but the CA on this seems to be a problem.

I was advised that it would take 10 days for the lens to be in stock, that was almost 3 weeks ago and still nothing

Can anyone recommend a good shop that has a stock of Pentax fit lenses? Everything seems to be Nikon or Canon

and yeh the chorus of cries goes up once more

www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk

Does mean travelling to Watford if you want to try before you buy though, depending on where you are this may or may not be a problem.

We really ought to get a percentage.........

It certainly is. It is ok up to 220-240mm, but theres not much point in using it at 300mm - the image is soft, and the CA can be terrible.

I got the Sigma 70-300 APO DG a while back. It is sharp enough in my book at 300, although I usually do a CA correction in SilkyPix.
Here's one example that I took out of my bedroom window:
*istD, Sigma 70-300 mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro, 1/350 s, A11, ISO 200.


I'm sure I have more examples taken at 300 mm but I would need to look that up at home.

Prieni

That certainly looks sharp enough to me. Need to get one soon as I have a few trips planned.

Thanks all.

Here is an example at 300mm with the 70-300 APO DG - handheld.

http://www.pbase.com/mike_pearson/image/72694281

Pentax *ist DS2 ,Sigma 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG Macro
1/750s f/8.0 at 300.0mm iso200

Mike

Thanks for that Mike.

As it happens I phoned Calumet yesterday afternoon and the lens was in stock

Picked it up around 4pm yesterday and I am impressed. Got to try the lens on a K10D, its the first time I have used one of those and I want one, though for now my K100D will have to do! Took some shots when I got it home and they have turned out good. Will try to post some shots over the next couple of days as I am going to be off out every chance I get to get snapping!

Thanks to all for the good advice.

Gareth,

Congrats - I'm sure you will enjoy the lens - I use mine on K100D now.

Mike

Took some shots today, weather wasn't too good (typical British bank holiday weekend!) so took some out of the window. Quality not too bad considering they are hand held at 300mm and through a double glazed window.