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AirBrontosaurus
3rd of October 2005 (Mon), 22:09
OK, I've finally decided. I have a Canon 300d,and the kit lens just isn't enough for me. If I buy another lens (which I really want to) I think it has to be a Tele-Macro. I love Macro, but don't have the money to shell out for a decent lens and then not be able to use it for anything but macro. I want the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG macro because in all the reviews I read it seems to be the best of its kind. I can't spend more than $250, and the only lense that seems to have a semi-decent rating is the Sigma 70-300mm APO DG macro. I figure I can use it as a telephoto for vacations and stuff, and put some Kenko extension tubes on it for good macro.

MY QUESTION!!!:
Am I missing anything? Does this lens just plain blow at macro? Is it the worst lens ever? Would a homeless man be reluctant to accept it as a gift? Will I get decent macro with it + extension tubes (by "decent" I mean like the pictures Bald Eagle takes. I know he has a tele-macro lens as well) (Note that I never ever said that I could take pictures as good as Bald Eagle... I just want to know that, had he been given the lens, he could take good pictures with it). I don't mean that it takes perfect pictures every time; I simply mean is it possible under ideal conditions to get a good macro shot? Also, is there any tele-macro lens that is geared more toward the macro side? Also, is there ANYTHING else I should know. I see a lot of people bashing this lens, but they all have 12303213mm Canon Super Duper Awesome Amazing Uranium-Coated L-Series lenses with a max F-stop of -93490432 (it actually defies conventional physics and creates light from nothing) and costs $54 billion. I know this lens isn't on par with lenses that cost 10x as much. What I want to know is, for an ultra-amature like me, is it worth the money? Will it take good pictures, or, after looking at my first shots, will it appear that a dog has urinated on my monitor in place of the picture?

FOR COMPARISON:
How sharp/contrasty/good will this be compared to the kit lens?

Thanks for anyone who has the kind of time to read all of this.

-Chris

dancinec
3rd of October 2005 (Mon), 22:59
Whooa Chris, that is a big question for which there is no easy answer. Bald Eagle uses the Tamron 24-300 zoom macro which list for about 300. There is a Tamron on Ebay the current bid is 150. I bought the Canon 100 mm macro after having the 50 mm macro lens and was unhappy and sold it (and got almost what I paid for on eBay). Sigma and Tamron both make good lenses. If they are truely 'macro' (1:1) then it should do the job. The techniques you use will be more important than the amount you spend on the lens. Check out the 'sticky' at the beginning of the forum for techniques. Good Luck.

BlanceEMT
3rd of October 2005 (Mon), 23:07
lol... that was a good rant. i dont have an answer for you, but i laughed

TheObiJuan
3rd of October 2005 (Mon), 23:23
All shot with the sigma 70-300 apo macro at 1:3 or 1:2. No cropping done, either.

http://mk23.image.pbase.com/v3/65/568765/1/44913207.IMG_6360.jpg
http://mk29.image.pbase.com/v3/65/568765/1/44913208.IMG_6364.jpg
http://mk31.image.pbase.com/v3/65/568765/1/44913209.IMG_6384.jpg
http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/v3/65/568765/1/44913211.IMG_6419.jpg

The only reason I keep this lens is as a cheap macro lens. The 1:2 is good enough for what I shoot and the pictures are pretty sharp, especially at f/11 and smaller.

pxl8
4th of October 2005 (Tue), 02:17
I got the Sigma for almost identical reasons as yours and it replaced the Canon 75-300 mkIII USM. The Sigma is better in every way, esp. sharpness. Take a look at the link in my sig, just about every shot was taken with the Sigma or the Kit lens. The exif is there so you can tell which is which.

smasraum
4th of October 2005 (Tue), 08:59
I also got the sigma 70-300 APO DG. It's a good lens. It does a good job at half life size macro and it does a decent long end too. I did lots of research and found that this is a good lens for exactly what you are looking for.

AirBrontosaurus
4th of October 2005 (Tue), 10:40
thanks so much guys... I shall purchase it. Again, thanks for taking the time to read it.

ObiJuan... that is exactly what I wanted. If those pictures are possible with that lens, then I am sold. thanks!!!


-Chris

Bald Eagle
4th of October 2005 (Tue), 12:49
thanks so much guys... I shall purchase it. Again, thanks for taking the time to read it.

ObiJuan... that is exactly what I wanted. If those pictures are possible with that lens, then I am sold. thanks!!!


-Chris
I would be sold as well, Thanks for such kind words on my photos, My photos have a lot to do with practice and technique, not so much on price of lens. Obijuan has an excellent lens, combined with lots and lots of pratice(and Skill). I agree, Tamron and Sigma have very good quality lenses. but, remember this, Glass is only part of the equation, looking forward to seeing pics with your new lens, If I can help in the future, let me know. I'd be glad to.:D :D