Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Vs. Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro

I am a beginner photographer with a Digital Rebel XT and I am really interested

in starting wildlife photography. I have a very tight budget, and I am trying to

decide on a cheap introductory telephoto lens. The two that I am considering are

the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro and the Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di LD.

My question is, which lens I should I buy? I understand that the Sigma is

probably the better lens, but is it a big enough difference from the Tamron that

it's worth the extra $50?

Hi Sam, I don't own these lenses but but both are relatively inexpensive "beginner, do-it-all" zooms. It's funny because of the reviews I've read, most people tend to give the Tamron slightly higher marks but I suspect there's probably not a huge difference and you may find variations from copy to copy.<P>

 

<a href="http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Sigma-70-300mm-F4-56-APO-DG-Macro">Here's one review of the Sigma</a>. One thing that stuck out for me was this quote: "This lens is <B>one of two virtually identical offerings</b> from Sigma in the extremely popular 70-300 category in which almost all manufacturers have at least one contender. Although still in the budget sector, this one, <B>the APO version, is the better of the two offerings.</b>" In other words you'll probably want to make sure you get the more recent "APO" version if you go with the Sigma.<P>

 

<a href="http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=254">Here are some user reviews of the Tamron lens</a> from over at Fred Miranda. Most of the ones I read are quite positive, praising its light weight and image quality <I>for the money.</i><P>

 

<a href="http://www.photodo.com/product_545_p3.html">Here's a handful or other Tamron reviews</a> from over at Photodo.<P>

 

It gets very tricky recommending one over the other because of the possibility of slight variations from copy to copy, so one person may have either the Sigma or Tamron and love it and another might not be so enthusiastic. I think both will take fine shots, especially if stopped down to around f/8 and used with a tripod.<P>

 

So my personal inclination would be to save the $50 and get the Tamron. Good luck!<P>

Keep in mind the Tamron uses 62mm filters and the Sigma uses 58mm in common with many Canon lenses. There is an older version of the Tamron that uses 58 mm filters and it may be worth looking for.

Perhaps you should look at the <a href="http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/index.htm">Canon 70-300 IS</a> ...

Thanks a lot for the advice. I think I favor the Sigma, but I may end up going with the Tamron for the $ savings. Both look like they should satisfy my newbie needs.

Sam,

<p>

I would suggest a used EF 100-300mm/4.5-5.6 USM lens instead of the two you mentioned. I had one for about a year, and when stopped down (and of course with mandatory high ISO) it was not bad at all.

<p>

Here is a shot with the EF 100-300mm/4.5-5.6 USM:

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3703819-lg.jpg"></p>

The autofocus is as fast as any Canon AF lens at any price, and the non-rotating front element is a huge advantage. There are lot of positive reviews of this lens around.

<p>

Yes, there are limitiations:

1. You need to stop down at least to f/8, ideally to f/11

2. Most of the time, you will need to boost contrast in post-processing.

<p>

It is a matter of making the best of what you have with this lens:

 

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5320776-lg.jpg"></p>

Now I have moved on to a EF 300mm/4L IS. So, obviously there are better options out there, but not the two you are thinking about.

<p>

Here is another shot with the 100-300:

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5360375-lg.jpg"></p>

I had bought mine used at a ridicilously low price at a pawn shop - I even made a profit when I sold it!

<p>

This is a versatile zoom:

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/3259168-lg.jpg"></p>

Do not forget to check out Pupy's review:

<p>

http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/toolbox3.htm

<p>

Good Luck

Hi Sam,

I have the Sigma 70-300 that I thought I'd use but haven't. I bought it last year for a trip to Alaska, used it a few times and haven't touched it since then so it is near perfect essentially new. I'm going to sell it because I just bought an 18-250 Tamron lens today which will serve my needs. I just hate carrying more than one lens so consequently the long lense isn't carried since I rarely need telephoto. If you're interested in a great deal, email me photog4funn@earthlink.net I live in San Diego

While the Sigma has a smaller filter size there's still a "gotcha" from <a href="http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Sigma-70-300mm-F4-56-APO-DG-Macro">that ephotozine review:</a><P>

 

"Front element and extension rotates during focussing"<P>

 

This can be a pain when using polarizers and or ND filters. I'm not sure if the Tamron does it too.

I believe between the Sigma and the Tamron, the Sigma is a bit sharper. I've owned a couple of the Sigma APO's over the years and got some sharp pictures. Sigma has made a number of versions of the 70-300. Of course, make sure it's the apo version. And some of the older versions are not electronically compatable with all Canon EOS cameras. Sigma can sometimes rechip the lens, but not older ones. Of course, if you are looking at a new one, this would not be a problem.

 

The Canon USM telephotos do focus more quickly. And image stabilization is a big help at the telephoto end of the zoom. I now have the Canon 70-300 IS and recommend that, but it's a big jump in price.