Need to look at a new Telephoto zoom for Sony

dave66

Well it looks like the AF on my much loved Sigma 70-300 APO (Macro at 300) has died a nasty death on my A550, so it appears that I need to look at a replacement.

Cost is going to be a major factor for me and it looks as if I will need to sell some or all of my classic Minolta kit to fund it.

Anyone using the Sony 55-200 SAL DT or the Sony 75-300, although are macro I could probably get by with my Sigma 70-300 in manual focus mode for Macro.

So any suggestions on suitable replacements?

Thecageyone

Same issue with the same lens here. I continued to use it in MF until I switched over to Nikon very recently. Still a solid lens, and check it again, as the AF came back on mine after a couple of weeks - randomly. I just happened to check, and once I got it to focus on one object, or my fingers .. it worked away in AF until switched off again.

Looks like being sold on adverts for €60 now anyways. I put it up as a MF lens and stated the issue with the AF/rattle. Hoping now to put the funds towards a 50mm for the Nikon. Already have a Tamron 75-300, no macro switch, but it works just as good IMO.

sNarah

I've the zoom lens that came with my camera kit, which I never use. It's the 75-300 macro. More then welcome to test it out and if you like it I'd sell it you. Hadn't considered selling it but as I never use it might just as well put it in the fund for my new camera

dave66

sNarah wrote: »

I've the zoom lens that came with my camera kit, which I never use. It's the 75-300 macro. More then welcome to test it out and if you like it I'd sell it you. Hadn't considered selling it but as I never use it might just as well put it in the fund for my new camera

Very kind of you and extremely tempting, I'll shoot you a PM or such about it.

Mycroft H

^ I had the minolta version once. Decent lens. Sold it for a 70-210 f4, which is awesome :pac:

Another option is the Tamron 70-300. Its ment to be better then the Sigma version as the sonys powerful AF motor can make pieces of the plastic gears in the Sigma.

sNarah

That's the on there.
Specs:

Telephoto Zoom (75-300mm F4.5-5.6)
http://www.sony.ie/product/ddl-zoom-lenses/sal-75300

Heebie

I have a Tamron 70-300mm Macro Zoom for my Pentax as well, and I'm pretty happy with it. (although I use my Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 more often nowadays.)

landyman wrote: »

^ I had the minolta version once. Decent lens. Sold it for a 70-210 f4, which is awesome :pac:

Another option is the Tamron 70-300. Its ment to be better then the Sigma version as the sonys powerful AF motor can make pieces of the plastic gears in the Sigma.

Thecageyone

I bought a Tamron 75-300mm last week for the Nikon, cheap enough [I think it's very similar to the 70-300, but with no macro switch], and I'm more than happy with the results so far. I think it's sturdier than the Sigma 70-300, even if the Sigma felt tougher on the outside.

If I could get something that worked out as well with shorter focal length/wider angle on top, it could be a lens I'd rarely take off. 18-300mm with good IQ all the way through would be Ace.

Took this with it today -



It doesn't have a macro function, but it works nice enough for close ups.

madzers

Hey Sarah have you still the lens for sale

hopelessOne

The sigma 70-300 is notorious for breaking on Sony cameras. Essentially it uses cheap plastic gears which easily strip over time. I'm amazed that Sigma can get away without issuing a blanket recall on this lens. For that reason alone I'll never buy another Sigma lens.

When my lens broke I decided to upgrade to the Sony 70-300G, a wonderful lens that always hits the mark but not really in your price range judging by the options you've listed. I seem to remember that Sigma (Hahnel in Bandon) would have repaired the gears for ~€70 but I decided that it wasn't worth it as they'd strip again anyway. I think the Tamron gets better reviews than the Sony kit telezoom but it might also be worth looking at the Minolta 100-300 or 70-210 f/4 "beercan". Coincidentally, I recently saw both for sale on eBay for €200 and €165 respectively Inc postage

madzers

just bought a sony 75mm-300mm on ebay seccond hand display model all in includeing delevery 180 euro hope its a good lens