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APO or not APO on a lens??

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redroyalty

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Hello

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG MACRO

looking for an telephto zoom on my new to become best friend K10d

One lense has APO and one doesnt there is a 100 pound price increase with APO present , what is APO and is it worth the extra 100 quid?
 
It's most definitely worth the extra money, considering it's a telephoto lens. Chromatic abberation is a big problem on telephotos. Combine the fact that it's a budget zoom, I doubt it'd look too good without the APO.
 
If you are set on this lens, definitely get the APO version.

But I had this lens--the APO version--and sold it. At 300 mm the edges were just too soft, even stopped down.

Some people like the equivalent lens from Tamron. I haven't tried it.

Think through which you need more: (a) 300 mm, or (b) higher image quality. If you decide the latter, look at the DA 50-200 or the older SMC F 70-210 F4-5.6 (frequently on eBay).

Joe
 
have you got or any body have the link to the equivilent APO 300mm version of the Tamron, becsue i dont think tamron use APO so i dont know their euivilent... a link to it would be most appreciated.
 
I received my Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro about two weeks ago. I haven’t had a real chance to test it yet, but I was able to take some quick shots with it.

I must say, that for the money it is a decent lens. The biggest mistake one can make is to compare this Sigma lens, to something much more expensive.

The macro capability is nice too. Just don’t forget to bring your tripod, or at least a monopod.
As long as you know the limitations of the lens, you will be happy with it.

Some examples: all taken with the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro.

George













--
The very idea that there is another idea is something gained.
Richard Jefferies, English author (1848-1887)
 
redroyalty said:
have you got or any body have the link to the equivilent APO 300mm
version of the Tamron, becsue i dont think tamron use APO so i dont
know their euivilent... a link to it would be most appreciated.
Click to expand...
I don't know whether the Tamron is APO or not. I wouldn't worry about it. Search for users who have tried both and see what they say about results.

"i dont think tamron use APO"

You might want to learn a bit more before you buy. APO isn't some gadget that is put into lenses. It stands for apochromatic, which is the consequence of how the lens is designed, not part of the lens design. APO refers to convergence of the three primary colors at the same point. Sigma puts APO and other initials on their lenses for marketing (although the Sigma 70-300 APO is indeed better than the non-APO).

Look for comparative reviews of the lenses. Don't get hung up on advertising gimmicks.

Joe
 
Joseph Tainter said:
redroyalty said:
have you got or any body have the link to the equivilent APO 300mm
version of the Tamron, becsue i dont think tamron use APO so i dont
know their euivilent... a link to it would be most appreciated.
Click to expand...
I don't know whether the Tamron is APO or not. I wouldn't worry
about it. Search for users who have tried both and see what they
say about results.

"i dont think tamron use APO"

You might want to learn a bit more before you buy. APO isn't some
gadget that is put into lenses. It stands for apochromatic, which
is the consequence of how the lens is designed, not part of the
lens design. APO refers to convergence of the three primary colors
at the same point. Sigma puts APO and other initials on their
lenses for marketing (although the Sigma 70-300 APO is indeed
better than the non-APO).

Look for comparative reviews of the lenses. Don't get hung up on
advertising gimmicks.

Joe
Click to expand...
Apochromatic is not a marketing gimmick and doesn't just happen to a lens by accident, it's a result of the lens design and usually involves the inclusion of extra optical elements and or special coatings such as fluorite. The Sigma 70-300 APO has an extra SLD element over the non APO version.

Rob.
 
good for the money, but not better than the 80-320 pentax which is not called APO.

At 300 it is dwarfed by the F 4.5/300 pentax. Of course, this lens is a prime and much more expensive, but the difference is really stunning.

Two solutions for better results (if you have the money): the heavy 4/100-300 sigma EX or, better, a second body to mount the 4.5/300. Or wait the 4/60-250 pentax.
--
Jacques Bijtebier
 
I'd say the Sigma EX 100-300 is a fair representative for "not budget" within the same focal lengths. That would be around $1100.

The coming Pentax 60-240 would also be "not budget" and somewhere around that price range, perhaps more.
Then there is the Sigma EX 120-300/2.8 which is definately not budget ;)
 
I have this lens on order, for my K10 when it arrives i have had budget lens and to be honest they are soft at the long end. I had the tamron 28-300 and must say it was C* very soft there is an old saying, you get what you pay for if on a budget i would consider getting second hand save some pounds and at least get good quality. Its always best to get a good a quality lens as you can budget for regards Alan.
 
I have used the APO on a D50 Nikon and i liked it. It is a bit on the heavy side. Reviews that i have read consider it to be good value for it's money.

i recently read a UK mag doing lens comparisons. they liked the APO but pointed out the that the cheaper Tamron equivalent gave results close to the APO - but they thought the Tamron was slower to autofocus.

i think you would be happy with the APO and you can easily move it on if you want to upgrade later.
 
thanks, im assuming your talking about the sigma,,, ive taken a liking towards the 70-300 di ld macro from tamron, as you guys said it is slightly better than the 70-300mmm apo from sigma.
 
I still own a Tamrom 70-300mm and was quite happy with it (especially at its shorter focal lengths). The macro function was also somewhat useful and it is small and light.

Here is my warning to you - dont compare it to Pentax prime lenses, because then you WILL notice the BIG difference and spend LOTS of money trying to buy the excellent Pentax glass. It happened to me! If you have the money it will bring you a lot of joy. Just be warned - I bought a FA* 300 f4.5 and have been trying to give away my Tamrom ever since.....

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
'I have no talent for photography,
therefore I need great gear' - my LBA denial
 
Sigma puts APO and other initials on their
Robert Andrew Bell said:
Robert Andrew Bell said:
lenses for marketing (although the Sigma 70-300 APO is indeed
better than the non-APO).

Look for comparative reviews of the lenses. Don't get hung up on
advertising gimmicks.

Joe
Click to expand...
Apochromatic is not a marketing gimmick and doesn't just happen to
a lens by accident, it's a result of the lens design and usually
involves the inclusion of extra optical elements and or special
coatings such as fluorite. The Sigma 70-300 APO has an extra SLD
element over the non APO version.
Click to expand...
Rob, I didn't say that apochromatic is a marketing gimmick. Of course it is not. I said only that Sigma puts APO (and often an alphabet soup of other initials) on their lenses for marketing purposes.

I shouldn't have used the word "gimmick." Clearly it was open to misunderstanding.

Joe
 
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