The old lens debate.

[retro]

I'm sure you've read one million of these posts, but I need some advice on lenses. I would really love a 400mm L series lens, but I havn't met that rich older woman yet so I've got it narrowed down to two. I am looking at the Canon 75-300mm f/4-5.6 and the Sigma 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 Compact Hyperzoom. I am really uncertain of the Sigma quality. I shoot with a 300D and want a longer lens now. There is about a $200 difference in price, but quality is my #1 concern. Ideally I'd like to see some samples wth both, but I don't know if I'd get that. I want to use this lens to shoot everything from wildlife to concerts to general photography and portraits. If quality is my #1 concern do I save up for an L series? Where does this cycle end? Should I even expose myself to this level of quality?...oh wait.....damn photo sharing 20d owners! :wink:

[mdude85]

Are you talking about the 75-300 USM non-IS? I almost purchased that lens but heard really bad things about it, like that it was soft all around and that the build quality was poor. But if you can get it for a decent price -- under $150 I'd say go for it. It gets pretty low grades on photodo.com and on www.fredmiranda.com (just do a search). But then again I have one Sigma lens that I think is rather sharp and it gets lower grades than the 75-300 on photodo, so I guess the standards of sharpness are different for everyone.

As far as the quality I am happy, but there are not very many Sigma lenses that pros feel comfortable with (though there are some). The only problem with third party lenses is that you risk incompatibility with newer cameras... I recently purchased an older Sigma 70-210 (maybe from the late 1990s) for my D30 and I had to send it back for an upgrade ...then they told me the AF gear was broken and that I'd need to pay them $50 to fix! It was okay because I got the original lens at a very good price but still. Rest assured that if you purchase a Canon lens that it will be compatible with a Canon camera.

[cmM]

if quality is your #1 concern, then you should buy an L lens...
I don't know anything about the sigma.
I own the canon lens, and I consider it a good lens for the price (unlike everyone else, who consider it BAD)

Here are some samples with it:
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/aug21cyc9.jpg
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/aug08bears16.jpg
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/sep19sparrow1.jpg

**Edit: these shots have been shot wide open at 300mm (or near 300mm)

[ralee]

If you cant afford L lens then I would get the canon 75-300 USM , it actually is not that bad a lens, unless you are planning on shooting open all the time. Atleast you will have a lens that you can shoot with and who knows maybe you might make some money from it and be able to buy that L lens or by then even meet the rich older woman that will buy you the L lens.

You should be able to buy that lens for $280 CDN. That is not that much of an investment whereby you can practice with it until you can afford what you really want.


Rob

[Mark Kemp]

I have the sigma 28-300. It is 'adequate' quality but far from an L lens. I also have an old 75-300 (MK1 I think) and the Canon is better than the sigma, especially wide open.

I don't use the 28-300 for anything where I am really worried about the quality, but it is a decent travel lens. You just have to sacrifice some quality for the convenience of the long zoom range. But if you want a good lens for general use I would go for the ordinary Canon or save for an L lens.

[jeffreylewisbennett]

I just put my Canon 75-300 USM up on ebay. It is a bit soft at 300mm but it works and focus's fast. This is a great starter lens but if you get more serious about photography at some point you'll replace it with an L-series.

Here's the ebay aution, starting at $99.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3846050627

[retro]

if quality is your #1 concern, then you should buy an L lens...
I don't know anything about the sigma.
I own the canon lens, and I consider it a good lens for the price (unlike everyone else, who consider it BAD)

Here are some samples with it:
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/aug21cyc9.jpg
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/aug08bears16.jpg
http://www.cmuntean.net/images/sep19sparrow1.jpg

**Edit: these shots have been shot wide open at 300mm (or near 300mm)

This is exactly the response I was looking for. I appreciate the samples and am going to pick up the canon lens tomorrow. Thanks for the info!

[cmM]

retro,
Just a fair warning:

Most everyone hates this lens, and they think it's low quality. I disagree with all those and have pics to proove it (maybe I did get the only good copy). But don't have too high expectations, you might just be part of "everyone else" after you buy it.

[retro]

I appreciate your concern. I have to start somewhere and this is a good base. Worse case scenario is I use it for a few months and sell it into an L series. I think it's a good stepping stone from nothing :wink: