Sigma 70-300 lens question

[jebfsu]

I read a recent post about someone asking about the Sigma 70-300 lens. In one of the replies, one person said they use it for sports photography. I currently have a Canon Rebel EOS XT; a 50mm/1.8 lens and a 28-105mm 3.5-4.5. Since I would like more zoom on my lens (I typically take fast moving pictures in a well lit area but from a distance) I was wondering if I should go ahead and purchase a Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro or wait and save my money for the actual Canon 70-300 lens. I really don't have alot of money to spend, but if the Sigma has pitfalls, I would rather wait and purchase the right lens down the road. I need advice for using this lens for fast moving sports photography. Would it be worth it? Thanks in advance for your opinions.:)

[LightRules]

I need advice for using this lens for fast moving sports photography. Would it be worth it?

No. While unbeatable for $190 optically (in terms of bang for buck), this is not the lens you want to invest in for "fast moving sports". I'd recommend you look at a used Sigma 70200f2.8. Don't get the 70300 APO for sports.

[NordieBoy]

Noooooooooo!
Don't say that!

:cry:

[LightRules]

Noooooooooo!
Don't say that!

:cry:

??????? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[NordieBoy]

Mine just arrived yesterday :D
But I havn't had a chance to do any action stuff with it yet.

It'll still be better than the 75-300 Canon non usm :)

[JoshBowers]

I have that lense, got it years ago when I first started with my DR.

It served me for a long while, but when I got serious, I just couldn't use the lense anymore.
---------------------------------------
Things about the lense I came to hate...

The zoom is sticky. It's a push pull type, so you have to use some more force to zoom it, and it's not a smooth zoom.

Autofocus is slow, and can be confused sometimes taking a lot of time to search.

At 200-300 mm things become softer. At 300mm things can get a little to soft.

The macro switch would get stuck sometimes.
----------------------------------------
If you can wait, and save up for a 70-200 F4L USM you will be much happier. I have seen a couple sell used for $500.

I love my 70-200 2.8L IS, except for the defects that came with it... I went all out for this lens, mostly because I did use the Sigma. Everytime I used the Sigma lense, it made me put that much more money away, and want a better one that much more... So when I finally was ready, I bought the best I could. I don't regret it at all, even though I have to send it in to get fixed.

Knowing I can pickup my lense, and have it focus almost instantly, sharply, and do exactly what I want it to, to where I no longer have to THINK about what I am doing, and instead just do it... It's a good feeling.

[NordieBoy]

No no no....

This is the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO

[MiG82]

Haloey softness at 300: Check
Slow autofocus: Check
Sticky zoom: Check
Push pull: Not really

It's not really a push pull, but it does extend in and out a lot and you can push and pull it instead of using the zoom ring. It's fairly smooth this way and you can zoom and focus without shifting grip. The zoom ring uses a steep ramp to get a big extension with little rotation and this is the cause of the stickiness. It can be engineered away but probably not in a $300 AU lens.

[NordieBoy]

Seems ok at the extreme...

Both handheld...
At 300mm, f11, 100% crop, no pp.
and
at 300mm, f5.6, 100% crop, no pp, macro setting.

A tripod may help :rolleyes:

[YosemiteJunkie]

No no no....

This is the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO I received this lens yesterday and already I'm dis-satisfied with it. Way to slow on the focus and as said earlier, it tends to get confused on the auto focus. I'm already looking for a different lens. Just my own oppinion though.

[NordieBoy]

I am very happy with it but it may just be that I havn't played with anything better.

Ignorance is bliss :D

[ron chappel]

There is only one solid choice amongst the consumer telezooms when it comes to sports-the canon 100-300usm.I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet!
It has genuinely quick autofocus that may even be faster than the new 70-300IS usm.
It's also as sharp as the sigma 70-300 Apo so you have nothing to lose except the extra $70 asking price

[Cicarius]

I have this lens an use it for bird and wildlife photography. It is good for me. IT is not by any means a fast lens but if you are like me and can't justify $1000 + then it is great. Crank up the ISO a bit and it can be used for sports.

Focus is not the fastest but I am learning a lot about manual focus.

Overall well worth the money. I will keep one around for a long while as a hicking lens. If i drop it only $230 goes smash not $1000.

Above all make sure u get the DG APO version.

[cbock]

i have this lens. it has served well for macro. the reach is nice. but, for capturing sports, eh. i didn't get much mileage out of it. i've got the sigma 70-200 f2.8 ex dg hsm and sigma 2x tc in the mail! i bit the bullet. the 70-200 should be great for sports. adding the reach of the 2x tc should be great for wildlife etc. i hope it's worth the investment.

[Tess320]

I actually agree the 100-300 is fast at AF than the 70-300 IS. I'm trying out the latter on some dog sports soon, and if it doesn't hold up I'll be keeping my 100-300.

[Jamey S.]

The Sigma 70-300mm isn't really that bad, best bang for the $$ in its class really. Works great for 1:2 macros. For sports you will need good light and/or crank the ISO up. I have used it before for sports, and it can work, but far from ideal.

I can't agree that the Canon 70-200mm f/4 would be ideal either, to slow, or atleast for me. I have found f/2.8 is really a necessity personally. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 that has already been recommended is quite nice for Sports, as is the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L and IS L.