Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 Macro Super 2 DL or APO?

[SENster7]

I am thinking of getting the Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 Macro Super 2 lens, should I get the DL or the APO? The DL is $149 and the APO is $209.

I searched some galleries and I think I found some of both and really can't tell the difference in quality. I went to the Sigma website and the difference between the two seems to be that the APO uses two pieces of special low dispersion glass for the front of the lens and one piece of SLD glass for the rear. Does anyone have either DL or APO version of this lens, and if so, is it a good lens?

SENster7

[Canuck]

I am thinking of getting the Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 Macro Super 2 lens, should I get the DL or the APO? The DL is $149 and the APO is $209.

I searched some galleries and I think I found some of both and really can't tell the difference in quality. I went to the Sigma website and the difference between the two seems to be that the APO uses two pieces of special low dispersion glass for the front of the lens and one piece of SLD glass for the rear. Does anyone have either DL or APO version of this lens, and if so, is it a good lens?

SENster7

The APO is APOchromatic as you found out to correct chromatic abberation. I had the DL version and it was absolute crap when plunked on the 10D! I sold it for what I payed and that was that. Check out this site for more info: http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html and I stepped out of consumer lenses into Sigma EX/Canon L lenses about a year ago. I still can't get over the difference the lens makes! Mine was made prior to Dec, 1999.

[timmyquest]

I had the DL version and it was absolute crap when plunked on the 10D!


What he said...i hate the thing, i finally just replaced it with a 70-200 f/2.8

Dong skimp on long lenses, they are far less forgiving hten say a POS 18-55mm lens ;-)

[SENster7]

Thanks for the feedback and the slap back into reality! I was pondering buying the Canon 70-200L F4, the F2.8 is out of my price range :(

[timmyquest]

Thanks for the feedback and the slap back into reality! I was pondering buying the Canon 70-200L F4, the F2.8 is out of my price range :(

The 70-200 f/4 is an awsome lens too, far from skimping.

But if you need some examples of what crap a $150 sigma lens produces i'd be more then glad to show you...it's not like i dont have plenty :roll:

[Canuck]

I wasn't going to mention what I replaced it with...the beast.

[Canuck]

I had the DL version and it was absolute crap when plunked on the 10D!


What he said...i hate the thing, i finally just replaced it with a 70-200 f/2.8

Dong skimp on long lenses, they are far less forgiving hten say a POS 18-55mm lens ;-)

That's no joke! Maybe now you are seeing why quality is even more of an issue at longer focal lengths! :evil:

I'd hate to have to post some real crap pics taken with the aforementioned cheapie Sigma.

[paulhillion]

I have the APO version & have no complaints although I'm yet to use it on my lovely new 10D, it produced some quality prints on my 300D. It's going to have to do me though as I can't afford anything else yet for some time!

Regards.

[SENster7]

I have the APO version & have no complaints although I'm yet to use it on my lovely new 10D, it produced some quality prints on my 300D. It's going to have to do me though as I can't afford anything else yet for some time!

Regards.

Could you please post some of the pics you took with this lens and your rebel?

Thanks

[polloloco81]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36619

First 3 shots were taken with the APO.

[paulhillion]

I have the APO version & have no complaints although I'm yet to use it on my lovely new 10D, it produced some quality prints on my 300D. It's going to have to do me though as I can't afford anything else yet for some time!

Regards.

Could you please post some of the pics you took with this lens and your rebel?

Thanks

No problem, here's a couple I took a few weeks back. Apart from cropping them down to post them here I haven't done anything else to them. The camera was hand held from a distance of approx 12 feet.

Hope this helps you make up your mind?

Regards, Paul.

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/ba9a09be.jpg

http://img38.photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/133f1702.jpg

[ron chappel]

Funny those that are complaining about the DL version :lol: ,there's an even cheaper one! (100-300 DL)

Of the 70-300 versions the DL has little to recommend it judging by online comments
While the APO macro could well be the best consumer telezoom available :) . I see quite a few comments from owners praising it.It's nearest competitor,the canon 100-300/4.5-5.6 is generally considered to be ever so slightly lower in performance.Pretty good praise :)

On the other hand....if you go for the canon 70-200/4 you will REALLY know what sharp is :shock: :D

[SENster7]

Well, I made an impulse buy last night online, I opted for the Sigma 70-300 DL for $149 at B&H, the APO was sold out. I found a few galleries on Pbase, and other websites I found out there that had some decent pictures. I've been struggling internally lately regarding the size of all my equipment, and now isnt the time for me to purchase the 70-200L, it looks like a white bazooka, but it sure does take some sweet pictures!

I actually brought my G3 out yesterday instead of my drebel, but how quickly I missed the speed and sharpness of my drebel, yes I am back in love with my drebel!

[xrunner123]

Well, I made an impulse buy last night online, I opted for the Sigma 70-300 DL for $149 at B&H, the APO was sold out. I found a few galleries on Pbase, and other websites I found out there that had some decent pictures. I've been struggling internally lately regarding the size of all my equipment, and now isnt the time for me to purchase the 70-200L, it looks like a white bazooka, but it sure does take some sweet pictures!

I actually brought my G3 out yesterday instead of my drebel, but how quickly I missed the speed and sharpness of my drebel, yes I am back in love with my drebel!

Is this an autofocus lens?

[Canuck]

Well, I made an impulse buy last night online, I opted for the Sigma 70-300 DL for $149 at B&H, the APO was sold out. I found a few galleries on Pbase, and other websites I found out there that had some decent pictures. I've been struggling internally lately regarding the size of all my equipment, and now isnt the time for me to purchase the 70-200L, it looks like a white bazooka, but it sure does take some sweet pictures!

I actually brought my G3 out yesterday instead of my drebel, but how quickly I missed the speed and sharpness of my drebel, yes I am back in love with my drebel!

Is this an autofocus lens?

Ja!

[polloloco81]

You should have tried some other vendors to get the APO version. www.deltainternational.com has it there for 177 dollars. The APO version is wayyy better than the DL version, mainly better contrast and saturation at 300mm and very little chromatic abberations as oppose to the DL.

[SENster7]

Well after spending a day with this Sigma 70-300 DL lens, and I am convinced it is total crap! I'm sending it back, and I am going to purchase the 70-200L f/4!

[FrenchAmateur]

The Sigma APO version is not that bad. But you took the wrong option by buying the "non Apo".
Sigma makes some excellent lenses : the 50 and 105 mm macro for instance or the very interesting 2,8 120-300 mm.
But the 70-200 f:4 Canon, if you can pay the price for it, is far better.

[Canuck]

Well after spending a day with this Sigma 70-300 DL lens, and I am convinced it is total crap! I'm sending it back, and I am going to purchase the 70-200L f/4!

//looks for soapbox to stand on. Ah-ha! Found one and stands on it...
Did I not say that, or did I not say that? :) Look up towards the top and TQ agrees and said to the effect of "...yeah what he said!" referring to my post about it.

Ok, I said, "I had the DL version and it was absolute crap when plunked on the 10D!" TQ said, "What he said...i hate the thing, i finally just replaced it with a 70-200 f/2.8."

Now look at this thread where it is incredibly obvious what a good lens vs crap one does to ur pics...http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=247568

//gets off soapbox and exits stage left

FrenchAmateur,
Yes the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 is a cracking lens! I have one!

[FrenchAmateur]

Canuck, if you can read basic French (hum hum...) I can send you by E-mail the test of you Sigma lens made by the French Magazine Chasseur d'Images. It's a purely technical test, but it's really very reliable (I can make a scan of it...).
Send me an MP if you wish so.
In summary, it is slightly (very slightly) inferior to the 2,8 Canon, but with the advantage of being a zoom...

[Canuck]

Canuck, if you can read basic French (hum hum...) I can send you by E-mail the test of you Sigma lens made by the French Magazine Chasseur d'Images. It's a purely technical test, but it's really very reliable (I can make a scan of it...).
Send me an MP if you wish so.
In summary, it is slightly (very slightly) inferior to the 2,8 Canon, but with the advantage of being a zoom...

Oui, je parles Français! Tu peut m'envoyer un MP aussi! Je t'envoyerai un MP.

Those not speaking French it translates roughly to, "Yes, I speak French. You can send me a PM as well! I will send you a PM."

[FrenchAmateur]

It's just being sent on your E-mail !!!!!!!!

A bientôt...

[SENster7]

Well I went one step further...I didn't order the 70-200L f/4, I ordered the 2.8 instead :)

Qty Price
Total

Canon CA7020028LEF
Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Autofocus Lens USA 1 1,139.95 1,139.95

Sub Total 1,139.95
Shipping 14.75
Sales Tax 0.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total 1,154.70

Now I won't eat for awhile that's all ;)

[FrenchAmateur]

You can't be wrong.