Sigma 70-300 DG APO v Non APO

[BentwoodBlue]

So my wife and I are new to the scene.
I have been wanting to get a new lens for this years State Fair.
We have a Rebel XT.

Looking at B&H can someone tell me the difference between these two lenses?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=391074&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=163662&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Thanks!
Michael

[Mediasoldier]

Well, I had the choice and I wen't with the non-APO version because I was tight for money. I am very happy, it is actually my first telephoto. It tends to get soft after 200mm, which can be a bit of a problem when in macro-mode (which can be activated between 190-300mm on mine, supposed to be 200-300mm).

I'm happy with it, I got what I expected for $175 CAD. Its a good lens IMO, but can't be compared to any of the L's (wouldn't expect it too :P).

It is really sharp when f/8 to f/11.

I'm not sure about the APO version, other than it has better glass.

Some examples (they are web shots, so not the best indicators, I'll post some 100% crops if I can get around to it):

http://www.mediasoldier.net/photography/images/20060610105119_fledgling2.jpg

http://www.mediasoldier.net/photography/images/20060521122302_redbirds_web.jpg



Hope that helps man, good luck with your purchase.

[Dorman]

Bentwood Blue,

I have the APO version, it's denoted by a red ring. Apparently it is suppossedly optically better than the non-apo version. Like Mediasoldier said, it's not L quality by any means, but for my limited telephoto needs it's a great bargain for your dollar. My biggest complaint is that the autofocus motor is loud and buzzy. Here's a couple images to show the sharpness of the lens.

[Dorman]

It's definitely a sharp lens when used inside it's limitations, and with proper technique. What do you want to shoot with the lens?

Two more of a different subject:

[Killie]

Interesting thread which I'll keep a eye on. I'm also new to the scene have 300D and been thinking this would be my first additional lens to my kit...assuming it is ok on the 300D also...is it?

[andrewc]

Like all cheap lenses they won't be perfect - there will be compromises, however the APO version regularly wins the best buy award for budget zoom lenses. If you need a lens with this reach, that gives acceptable results, then the Sigma will do the job. If you want ultra-fast silent focusing, exceptional sharpness at all lengths and f-stops, then save up for a lens from the next tier of pricing up.

[Stavhp]

bought this lens about 2 weeks ago now, until nlow im very happey with it
fcusing is fast if you have good light
heres a few pics
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/Stav13/light.jpg
this one is cropped heavilly
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f321/Stav13/pige.jpg

[Stavhp]

one more

[condyk]

Had the APO and a very good lens for the cash. I did a Poll a few months back and all owners or ex owners rated it highly. A safe buy. Used correctly, and ideally on a mono/tripod like any longer lens, then I think you will like it

The non APO gets few recommendations but I have never used it myself so can't comment.

[thetolleyman]

I've owned the Canon 75-300 EF 4/5.6 USM and the Sigma DG Super Macro 70-300 4/5.6 but not the APO version. Between the two the Sigma was the clear winner, I did several side by side comparisons.

Honestly, at 300mm neither one would produce a very sharp photo, but perhaps I was using them incorrectly. I have heard many good things about the Sigma APO version.

Recently I obtained a Canon 70-300 USM IS and it seems to be much sharper at the long end although it is at least twice the price.

I've got photos and data to back this up if anyone is interested just email me.

[Jamey S.]

The APO and non-APO are optically identical really, the only difference between the two is the APO version has 3 SLD elements in it (2 in front and 1 in back) while the non-APO only has the front SLD element. The Extra SLD elements basically make CA/PF almost non-existent. I own the non-APO and non-DG model and have always loved it, but if you can swing the extra $$ get the APO version.

Here are some shots from mine I have taken. Three of which I have had printed upto 16x20" and are quite sharp and excellent prints.
http://www.pbase.com/digitaldevo/sigma_70_300mm

They do get softer after about 250mm, atleast mine does, but even @ 300mm a little contrasting USM and slight curves in PS and not a problem :)

[Dorman]

That horse image is stunning Jamey.

[Jamey S.]

That horse image is stunning Jamey.
Thank you :) That is one of my favorite shots.

[Tee Why]

APO lens stands for apochromatic, if memory serves me right.
It should have less purple fringing. I'd recommend the APO version.

[BentwoodBlue]

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I will keep my eye out for the APO. I am planning to buy later this month. However if a used deal comes up I will buy either and it looks like I will be happy.

[farrukh]

Yes go for APO. It makes no sense to me to get non APO. I wonder why Sigma makes non-APO version for just 120 bucks when APO is just around $190. but quality diffrence is huge.

[Mediasoldier]

Im curious farrukh - in what way? Some people say there is a difference, some not. The only difference I notice is the red ring.

[farrukh]

You will find APO in all well known telephoto lenses.

From Sigma:
In order to attain the highest quality images, the APO lens has been made using special low-dispersion (SLD) glass and is designed to minimize color aberration.

You can search pictures from both lenses on Pbase.com and you will notice CA on non-APO. Above 200mm shots with non-apo lens are absolutely dud.

[Mediasoldier]

I assume CA is color abberation (after a few days hearing that I finally put it together in my head :P). Now, to find out what it is!

[Mediasoldier]

Yeah.... I just realised what that is and I have to say, I do tend to get alot of that on brighter images. :P

I still say, for the price, its great.

Dumb thing is the non-APO is $200 here, and the APO is like $300. If there was only a $40 difference in Canada, I would have gone APO. I'm still glad I saved that cash though.

[NordieBoy]

According to Photozone (http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70300_456/index.htm) it probably dosn't really have proper APO glass in a lens so cheap.

I love it.

Sports/low light.
Basically everything that's out of range of my Sigma 28-70 EX

[Jamey S.]

You can search pictures from both lenses on Pbase.com and you will notice CA on non-APO. Above 200mm shots with non-apo lens are absolutely dud.
I have to disagree with that. My version is the no-APO and isn't even DG and it is excellent. I will admit I got a super duper copy of it though (which is why I still have it, lol). I don't get much CA/PF at all and I do plenty of work with it @ the 300mm end when I use it and the images are not duds at all, not as good as ~200mm but not duds either.

The non-APO still uses SLD glass but it only has one element which is in the front where as the APO version has 3 SLD elements 2 in the front and 1 in the back which of course makes for less CA/PF, but the non-APO isn't that terrible either, far better then the Canon version of the lens with CA/PF.

By all means though, if your budget permits, get the APO version!! But if your budget does not, don't be too scared pf the non-APO as it still works nicely.

[Michel Souris]

At the risk of incurring wrath for going "off topic" (only slightly, though) - how do the Sigmas compare to the Canon 100-300 USM telephoto? Forget the USM advantage, what about the optics?

[NordieBoy]

I still get a bit of CA with my APO version.

[wu_wei0]

Interesting thread which I'll keep a eye on. I'm also new to the scene have 300D and been thinking this would be my first additional lens to my kit...assuming it is ok on the 300D also...is it?

I use it on the 300 D. Get good results most of the time. dg version but not APO.

This just converted from raw using RSE, I believe. maybe cropped in picasa
http://static.flickr.com/75/160513146_04ad62a957.jpg

Wu

[NordieBoy]

At the risk of incurring wrath for going "off topic" (only slightly, though) - how do the Sigmas compare to the Canon 100-300 USM telephoto? Forget the USM advantage, what about the optics?
From photozone...

"The Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 L can still convince optically with very high resoltion figures, low distortions and quite low vignetting (on APS-C). However, mechanically the lens is totally outdated and clearly substandard compared to current Canon L lenses. In fact most of today's consumer zooms are better in this respect. If you cannot afford the new EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS the ancient EF 100-300mm f/5.6 L remains still worth a serious thought regarding its much lower price tag on the used market and it still puts most other xx-300mm zoom lenses to shame specifically regarding contrast."

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_100300_56/index.htm
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70300_456/index.htm

[Jamey S.]

I use it on the 300 D. Get good results most of the time. dg version but not APO.
Wu
I use it as well on our 300D.

[ron chappel]

I see a few here are saying that the APO and non APO sigmas are 'the same' except for the chromatic aberations.THIS IS NOT TRUE

There is a huge amount of evidence from tests,comparisons and owners experiences that the APO version gives sharper overall results. It's certainly not just a case of the Apo version having less purple fringing:rolleyes:


At the risk of incurring wrath for going "off topic" (only slightly, though) - how do the Sigmas compare to the Canon 100-300 USM telephoto? Forget the USM advantage, what about the optics?

I must be one of only a few that have used and compared the Sigma Apo against Canon USM.They are *extremely* similar in image quality.
Any variation between them is subtle and has more to do with manufacturing variations than one being much better than the other.
In summary these two are *THE* best choice among the consumer telezooms
Go for the Sigma Apo if you want close focus ability or go for the canon 100-300usm if you want superfast focus ability for sports,etc

The canon 100-300L that Nordie Boy mentions is a different lens alltogether-nothing like the 100-300USM .Like he says it's rather ancient in most respects but has seriously good optics.
While i had mine i also had a variety of other consumer telezooms to compare it to.The 100-300L beats them in contrast and colour and (especially!) crispness at the long end :D

[NordieBoy]

APO and Non-APO are very different.
DG and non DG are virtually the same.

[Mediasoldier]

APO and Non-APO are very different.
DG and non DG are virtually the same.

If your going to say that, at least tell us your reasoning! Bentwood's trying to decide and a simple verdict like that I am sure isn't of great help... :P

[NordieBoy]

I got the non-apo to start with because I didn't see much difference in the specs and I'm a tightarse.
I may have had a bad copy but when I got around to going back to the shop (bought online) I had a go with an APO and taking the same shots with both, the APO had a lot less fringing (CA) than the NON.
The APO may have just been a good copy and the NON a bad one but the price difference was only $35US or so and they didn't have another NON-APO on the shelf for me to try.
I walked out happy.

I would say the NON-APO should be fine but try it first in some situations where CA's would normally be a problem (bright reflections/high contrast areas).

A good non-apo probably = a normal apo.

Difficult decision without trying both on your own camera.

[ron chappel]

If your going to say that, at least tell us your reasoning! Bentwood's trying to decide and a simple verdict like that I am sure isn't of great help... :P

The DG verses non DG differences are simply to do with improved coatings on the rear element to better suit digital sensors

With some lenses they go to rather extreme lengths to make them work better on digital.Canon being the most thorough,to the extent of even changing the optical formula by slightly reshaping the rear element so that it doesn't reflect off the sensor so much.
However only one sigma DG lens has different optics -the 100 EX macro.All the rest just have the improved coatings.

Much more to the point,there have been many comments from owners who have changed over to the newer DG version.They report that there is very little difference to the image quality offered by either type

[BentwoodBlue]

Thanks everyone! I have decided to get the APO lens.
Actually, Shelley said just get the better one and be done with it. I probably would have been a cheapskate and gone with the other.

[YosemiteJunkie]

Good choice. I've got the APO version myself and though I don't use it much for the macro it is a fine lens.

[fusk4]

hello everyone .

damn, i just ordered the apo version as it was saying on 47stphoto.com
i called them to make sure it was the apo version, he said no, on the description on the web site says apo, but the name on the link doesn't, so the one sent was the non APO, he said i can send it back to get my money back,
now i ask
i bought it for 129.oo USD with the shipping
the APO version i found for 190.oo USD
Should i send it back, or just keep the non APO
i want it to take Insect pictures, butterflys , flys, dragonflys, and flower details .
Now i dont know what to do
if i send it back paying the shipping and save up to buy the APO
if i keep the non APO
or if i send it back and save up for a Sigma 105mm MACRO knowing that i like to take little things pictures, can yal help me with that, i dont know anything about taking pictures i just know the pictures i like and the pictures i dont like, yal advice would help me alot .

[NordieBoy]

Try it and post up some examples.
The difference will be in areas of high contrast where you can get chromatic thingys (purple/blue fringing).
The APO is better at handling these.

[spiky_simon]

FWIW, I posted a mini-review of the Sigma 70-300 APO version (http://www.photographyjam.com/blog/46/mini-review-sigma-70-300mm-f4-56-apo-dg-macro) on my blog. I think it's a great lens for the money.