Sigma Lens Question

geoffraffe

Hi all, I was thinking of buying the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO lens. It will be my first tele zoom lens. Do you think this is a good choice? It's £149 at this site

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/29861/Show.html?SkuId=29861&tduid=75fbd66aad0af996d2e151efa4067912&url=http://www.jessops.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?SkuId=29861

af_thefragile

Its a great lens for the price. If you're on a tight budget like.

l pearse

l bought that lens for my D60 last year, l paid €230 in Camera Exchange, Dublin, unfortunately the motor seized up, but they replaced it with no trouble....Don't let me put you off buying it, lt's really a great len's.
Make sure you keep receipts & invoice, just in case.

Also lt's pretty heavy, so invest in a tripod for some shots.:)

geoffraffe

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated

Trizo

Cant go wrong with this lens starting out , i only got it on friday (from CE) for the price its great have a look at some of the shots i got at the weekend of birds http://www.flickr.com/photos/trizo/sets/72157613512908356/ in the local park and the moon http://www.flickr.com/photos/trizo/sets/72157613483872031/

hoganpoly

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod60.html
looking for similar lens myself , just cant decide, this one is the current favourite any other suggestions

jpfahy

I had this lens and the Canon equivalent and the Sigmas image quality was way ahead.
You should be aware though that Sigma quality control is poor and two different examples of the same lens can different qualities.
I would advise you to buy here so you can test the lens before purchase, or buy secondhand after viewing sample pics.

al_

I had this lens when I started out also, its an excellent lens for the money.
Key phrase is 'for the money' you're paying little dollars for a zoom lens, you'll get image clarity relative to what you pay for the lens.

The macro facility on the lens is an excellent feature though, gave me endless hours of fun around the garden on many summers days.

dunderrow

Try these guys

http://shop.ebay.ie/merchant/digitech_ltd

I bought mine for 129 euro + 6 delivery - they are based in Bandon in Cork and gave full VAT receipt and warranty.

Danbo!

Tip for anyone considering this lens - Before removing the protective cover at the back of the lens to put it on the camera, or before removing the lens from the camera, zoom to anything above 100mm.
At 70mm, the last lens element protrudes from the lens body slightly and is likely to be damaged if you're not too careful. Thankfully, I just happened to notice this, and didn't learn it the hard way.

enzyme

I would never buy of Jessops. You can much cheaper than than. I would go for the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro. The APO lens elements really do make a differnce. Just checked on ebay. I don't know which camera brand you have but you can get it for a buy it now price for a low as $160 dollars which is less than Jessops price for an inferior lens. The retail price in the US is $320 When you buy it from a reputable reseller for a "buy it now" price you are buying a brand new lens. Just make sure you buy of someone with a really good positive feedback and you will be fine. Ebay is myyyyyy friend

dunderrow

? Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro - its the same lens enzyme - & why would you buy in USA and risk customs duty plus VAT when you can buy new for less from Cork from an irish company with an Irish warranty?

By the way geoffraffe - for the money its a great lens - I bought it as a stopgap whilst saving for a 2.8 but use it all the time now with great results on D300.

enzyme

I'm just going to climb under a table now and turn of the light. Oops

dunderrow

You'd better - them customs & excise fellas are looking for you!

geoffraffe

Thanks again for all the info. Think I might go with the langers n Cork. Cheers