The 70-300 Macro Zooms

We all know Sony has a version of the 70-300 zoom lens for $229. It may be a fine lens, but it is not much of a macro and it costs more than the Sigma and Tamron versions.

I have read that most of you have a higher opinion of the Sigma than the Tamron, so I will concentrate my questions to the Sigmas.

I realize that the one you want is the APO version with the three SLD elements in it. My problem is that there are a couple of different ones listed at some sites. The one is called "AF 70-300 / 4-5.6 APO Macro DG for Minolta Maxxum" (199.99 at Tristate). The other is "AF 70-300 MM f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II F/Minolta Maxxum" (169.99 at Tristate).

These two seem identical to me, perhaps the second, cheaper one having been discontinued for the Maxxum but reborn as a digital lens for the Sony / Maxxum. So I would jump on the cheaper version, chuckling to myself that it is identical to the more expensive "DG" version, which goes for as much as $219 at B&H. But when I go to dyxum.com and read the user reviews, they treat it as though it is an OK but cheap lens that we could do much better on.

So what are your experiences? Anyone have this lens? I know I have seen some posts on it, but if I could beg your patience w respect to the questions above, is this a desirable lens or not? I want only the best lenses for this superb camera, so I just want to know what better ones are out there in this zoom range, and if this Sigma APO is a good lens.

Gary Eickmeier

I have just re-found emats's posts on this lens, which I appreciate. So what do you think about the difference between the $169 and the $199 versions on Tristate? Are they any different?

GAry Eickmeier

Gary,

I have a Sigma DL 70-300mm, F:4-5.6 from an old Minolta Maxxum 3000i. It works very well, if I say so myself. I'm not a true "photo-phile" so, I can't tell you if there is much of a difference between the 'DL' and 'DG'.

I have another Sigma and a true Minolta lens that came with the 3000i. They both work just fine on the A100 also. Wait and get some other opinions before your purchase. Like I said before, I am very pleased with the Sigma DL lens' performance so far.

You can check out some samples I have taken here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59838137@N00/?saved=1

Good luck and happy shooting.

Al

al1571 said:

Gary,

I have a Sigma DL 70-300mm, F:4-5.6 from an old Minolta Maxxum
3000i. It works very well, if I say so myself. I'm not a true
"photo-phile" so, I can't tell you if there is much of a difference
between the 'DL' and 'DG'.

Click to expand...

So yours would not be the APO model that I described?

Thanks -

Gary Eickmeier

Gary Eickmeier said:

I have just re-found emats's posts on this lens, which I
appreciate. So what do you think about the difference between the
$169 and the $199 versions on Tristate? Are they any different?

GAry Eickmeier

Click to expand...

there is a big difference between the two versions. i have the sigma 70-300 APO DG MACRO, and i like it a lot. It's a fun lens for outdoor shooting.

search the message boards for how ppl feel about tristate, before you buy from them.

i just checked on amazon, and you can buy the sigma 70-300 APO DG MACRO (the famous "red ring" version!) for new $205-210, from reputable vendors.

Gary Eickmeier said:

I want only the best lenses for this superb camera, so I just want to
know what better ones are out there in this zoom range, and if this
Sigma APO is a good lens.

Click to expand...

another favorite on the boards is the tamron 28-300 XR (DI or non-DI). It's wider at the short end but slower at the far end. My brother has this on "permanent loan" from me, and loves it.

It's much smaller than the sigma, so if you have small hands you might prefer it. I have big hands, and prefer the sigma.

some others in this range:

18-200
18-250 (announced but not yet available)
km 100-400 APO (even more pricey on ebay)
km 100-300 APO (pricey on ebay)
km 70-210/4 (beercan)
km 70-210/3.5-4.5 (beercan lite)

Gary Eickmeier said:

We all know Sony has a version of the 70-300 zoom lens for $229. It
may be a fine lens, but it is not much of a macro and it costs more
than the Sigma and Tamron versions.

I have read that most of you have a higher opinion of the Sigma
than the Tamron, so I will concentrate my questions to the Sigmas.

I realize that the one you want is the APO version with the three
SLD elements in it. My problem is that there are a couple of
different ones listed at some sites. The one is called "AF 70-300 /
4-5.6 APO Macro DG for Minolta Maxxum" (199.99 at Tristate). The
other is "AF 70-300 MM f/4-5.6 APO Zoom Macro Super II F/Minolta
Maxxum" (169.99 at Tristate).

Click to expand...

Gary Eickmeier said:

These two seem identical to me, perhaps the second, cheaper one
having been discontinued for the Maxxum but reborn as a digital
lens for the Sony / Maxxum. So I would jump on the cheaper version,
chuckling to myself that it is identical to the more expensive "DG"
version, which goes for as much as $219 at B&H. But when I go to
dyxum.com and read the user reviews, they treat it as though it is
an OK but cheap lens that we could do much better on.

So what are your experiences? Anyone have this lens? I know I have
seen some posts on it, but if I could beg your patience w respect
to the questions above, is this a desirable lens or not? I want
only the best lenses for this superb camera, so I just want to know
what better ones are out there in this zoom range, and if this
Sigma APO is a good lens.

Gary Eickmeier

Click to expand...

Hi Gary

I have the DG version and like it very much. I don't remember what the difference is but it might be that the DG has extra lens coatings since Sigma says it is "optimized for digital". I know when I bought the lens I did do some user research and the general opinion was that the DG was worth the extra $30. I got mine here:

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn ;jsessionid=154569f7453c196/shopdata/0040_Lenses/0010_Zoom/0040_Tele+Zoom/product_details.shopscript?article=0480_Sigma%2BZoom%2BTelephoto%2B70-300mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B4-5%3D252E6%2BAPO%2BDG%2BMacro%2BAutofocus%2BLens%2Bfor%2BMinolta%3D26slash%3D3BSony%2BAF%2B%3D28SG70300F4ADMI%3D29

I would recommend them to you because the lens arrived quicker than expected and there was no fuss or hassle.

Danel said:

Hi Gary

I have the DG version and like it very much. I don't remember what
the difference is but it might be that the DG has extra lens
coatings since Sigma says it is "optimized for digital". I know
when I bought the lens I did do some user research and the general
opinion was that the DG was worth the extra $30. I got mine here:

http://www.sigma4less.com/sess/utn ;jsessionid=154569f7453c196/shopdata/0040_Lenses/0010_Zoom/0040_Tele+Zoom/product_details.shopscript?article=0480_Sigma%2BZoom%2BTelephoto%2B70-300mm%2Bf%3D26slash%3D3B4-5%3D252E6%2BAPO%2BDG%2BMacro%2BAutofocus%2BLens%2Bfor%2BMinolta%3D26slash%3D3BSony%2BAF%2B%3D28SG70300F4ADMI%3D29

I would recommend them to you because the lens arrived quicker than
expected and there was no fuss or hassle.

Click to expand...

Well, I hope someone knows the answer, because if you go to the Sigma web site they don't show anything but the DG lens, the more expensive one. There is no Super II and no non-APO version. Who knows where all of these came from. Old stock from Minolta or something. I just want to get the best one.

Thanks,

Gary Eickmeier

in terms of CA and flares control. I have the DG version of the Bigma and it passed all lighting condition I threw at it. I have the Sigma 70-300mm APO non-DG version and not really bad. See some test shots at the link below with the KM 5D. I have tested it with the A100 but I haven't posted the test shots.
http://art4less.smugmug.com/gallery/2140994
enjoy,
gil
--
**************
100% hand held. 100% jpg.
http://art4less.smugmug.com

gil said:

in terms of CA and flares control. I have the DG version of the
Bigma and it passed all lighting condition I threw at it. I have
the Sigma 70-300mm APO non-DG version and not really bad. See some
test shots at the link below with the KM 5D. I have tested it with
the A100 but I haven't posted the test shots.
http://art4less.smugmug.com/gallery/2140994

Click to expand...

Really beautiful, Gil. So you think there is some difference between the APO and APO DG lenses? But not significant?

Gary Eickmeier

comparable pics. See this link http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/Sigma70-300.html

comparing the APO (non-DG) version to the older one. If you can still accommodate the price difference, better get the DG version for the extra coating.
gil
--
**************
100% hand held. 100% jpg.
http://art4less.smugmug.com

gil said:

comparable pics. See this link
http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/Sigma70-300.html
comparing the APO (non-DG) version to the older one. If you can
still accommodate the price difference, better get the DG version
for the extra coating.
gil

Click to expand...

Thanks again, gil, but I still think you've got APO and DG mixed up. The APO designation means it has the SLD lens elements. But this article says that the non-APO lens is not much different. So I'm thinking that the APO is the same or as good as the APO DG. The DG is just a designation that it is suitable for digital.

If anyone knows different, please enlighten me.

Gary Eickmeier

Gary Eickmeier said:

gil said:

comparable pics. See this link
http://www.digitalsecrets.net/secrets/Sigma70-300.html
comparing the APO (non-DG) version to the older one. If you can
still accommodate the price difference, better get the DG version
for the extra coating.
gil

Click to expand...

Thanks again, gil, but I still think you've got APO and DG mixed
up. The APO designation means it has the SLD lens elements. But
this article says that the non-APO lens is not much different. So
I'm thinking that the APO is the same or as good as the APO DG. The
DG is just a designation that it is suitable for digital.

If anyone knows different, please enlighten me.

Click to expand...

Hi Gary

Under the descriptions between the lenses on Sigma4less the following is the only significant difference I noticed between the APO and the APO DG. The APO DG has:

"New coating reduces Ghost and Flare

The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range."

Hope this helps

Danel said:

Hi Gary

Under the descriptions between the lenses on Sigma4less the
following is the only significant difference I noticed between the
APO and the APO DG. The APO DG has:

"New coating reduces Ghost and Flare
The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and
ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also
creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range."

Hope this helps

Click to expand...

OK, maybe I didn't notice that, or maybe I didn't see this site. But the Sigma site doesn't even have the lower two lenses described!

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Gary Eickmeier

Try the Dyxum site
http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/resultsAdv.asp

and check the reviews listed for each lens - often these give the differences. I have the Sigma DG macro with red ring. It's very good value - but don't expect it to rival an expensive lens.
--
Sandy

Hi Gary,

I have had both and they have been good lenses for the price. The first one was the Super II. And it finally died due to something breaking deep inside that would not allow it to focus. I then replaced it with the DG and have been very happy with it. Of course this is based on limited funds. If you have more money available you can do much better with a faster lens. Feel free to check out some of my recent shots at the link below for some of the results from this lens. Let me know if you have any questions.
--
Stop yapping and start clicking
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alchemy_photography/

They tend to hide older lens information in favor of touting the new ones!
--
Stop yapping and start clicking
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alchemy_photography/

Gary, this is the one that's gets the most raves and is also the one I use.

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-300mm-Telephoto-Minolta-Cameras/dp/B000B8GSJ8/sr=1-1/qid=1164739918/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-5512065-3868805?ie=UTF8&s=photo

I sold my beercan in favor of this lens for it's smaller/lighter size and extra focal length. Don't get me wrong, I love the beercan but I recently purchased the 80-200mm HS G and a 1.4x TC so I could do without it. For 70mm + zooms, I'd look no further than the beercan or the Sigma unless you can afford to spend a little more money (the Minolta 100-300mm APO comes to mind for approx. $350+ used). The beercan is large and heavy but is a very good performer. The Sigma is something you can buy brand new and don't have to gamble on whether the version you get is a good one if purchasing on ebay. I had to return the 1st beercan I got because it was in less than acceptable condition. In my experience, the Sigma could hold its own with the beercan throughout the beercan's range. The beercan had more CA problems but delivered better performance wide open and had better colors. The Sigma handled flaring/CA (because of the APO) much better and was lighter and as sharp. At 200-300mm it's a little soft but still very usable stopped down - a very handy extra range. The less than positive reviews you read on the Sigma IMO, is due to it's performance in the 200-300mm range - something the beercan doesn't have. Some of the sample macros I shot and posted were taken with close up filters (not all though) - the very inexpensive ($20) kind from Quantaray. The images still turned out pretty well and it held me over until I was able to get a dedicated macro lens. Now if I want to travel light, I take the KM 28-75mm 2.8, the Sigma and the close up lenses - I'm usually good to go range and quality-wise with this combo.

Don't forget the Tamron TAMRON 70-300 mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Di, really sharp.
The macro (180-300) works fine and I did some good shoot even at 300.
I am really pleased with this lens.

Juste a sample . Shoot from last WE... at F 200mm

Other sample :