Did I make a common Newbie mistake...

[Hark]

went to to LHS (local hobby store) today to pick up a new memory card for my BRAND NEW (yes that means im one heck of a newbie to this) Digital Rebel....

Got talking to the Salesguy about why i wanted a better camera (I am going to be spending 5 days in the Grizzly Bear Rain Forest in BC in June) than the one I had. Well long story short, I walked out of there with a bit of a puzzled look on my face and another bill to pay.

He sold me (yes i am at fault for handing the plastic over to pay him..but) a 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Sigma lense. He said that for what I want to do, which is nature shots from a distance and Saltwater Reef tank macro shots, this was the most universal lense for those purposes.....

well i have been trying to get a macro off this lense and thats not working very well, so really what i have is a lense that 'may' be good for my BC trip, but i would appreciate those who know more about this to comment.

good news is i still have 2 weeks to decide if i want to keep it.....so no real love (or money) lost there

thanks very much

Ryan

[zach]

Ryan,
I did much the same as you after I got my camera last July. I went and bought a Tamron 75-300mm for the longer reach. I have not really used it as a macro lens. I must say that it was quite a bit cheaper than going with L glass and was ok when I first started. Now that I have had my camera 6+ months I'm starting to see the need for quality glass, especially for the longer range shots. My Tamron gets soft at the 200-300mm range. Currently I'm saving for a 400 f/5.6 and I'm about ready to purchase a 100mm 2.8 Macro for the close up work. I'm very new to the digital realm also, but I'm learning that you get what you pay for. If you want a inexpensive lens for the tank shots you might look at the 50mm 1.8, usually around $70 at B&H.
My experience is not the most in depth, but I though I would share what I have experienced.

[robertwgross]

I would not think that a 70-300 lens is very well adapted to macro photography. Maybe.

If you want to explore this, you may want to put an extension tube on it to shorten the minimum focus distance. Then you can get close to flowers and such.

---Bob Gross---

[Harry Settle]

I bought my Sigma 70-300 macro from someone on this site that didn't really care for it, I love it.

[robertwgross]

Harry, is it a Sigma 70-300 lens, or is it a 70-300 macro lens?

---Bob Gross---

[slin100]

I would not think that a 70-300 lens is very well adapted to macro photography. Maybe.

If you want to explore this, you may want to put an extension tube on it to shorten the minimum focus distance. Then you can get close to flowers and such.

---Bob Gross---
If one wants to get into macro photography through the use of extension tubes, a telephoto lens is not the lens to use. An extension tube is much more effective on a short focal length lens than on a telephoto lens. For example, a 25mm extension tube on a 50/1.8 can achieve a magnification ratio up to .68x. The same extension tube on a 75-300 will only get you up to .39x.

[tim]

I had the APO Super Macro II version of the lens - if you didn't get APO or II return it NOW! It's a reasonably good lens for distance shots during bright light, but it's not much good for macro. For macro i'd really recommend a dedicated macro lens - and I don't know of any good macro zoom lenses. The Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro I have is great :)

[Harry Settle]

Harry, is it a Sigma 70-300 lens, or is it a 70-300 macro lens?

---Bob Gross---

70-300 Macro

[Hark]

I had the APO Super Macro II version of the lens - if you didn't get APO or II return it NOW! It's a reasonably good lens for distance shots during bright light, but it's not much good for macro. For macro i'd really recommend a dedicated macro lens - and I don't know of any good macro zoom lenses. The Canon 100mm F2.8 Macro I have is great :)
it says it is a APO super macro II

so should i be keeping this lense or returning it? I have the other lense that came with the rebel, are you saying if i was to add extension tubes to it I could get similar results for macro shots?

Thanks again all

Ryan

[tim]

I think you should keep that lens because it's not expensive and does what it's meant to well, but don't expect it to perform well in low light or for macro. Get a dedicated macro lens, there are a few options from Tamron and Sigma if money's tight.

[robertwgross]

If one wants to get into macro photography through the use of extension tubes, a telephoto lens is not the lens to use. An extension tube is much more effective on a short focal length lens than on a telephoto lens. For example, a 25mm extension tube on a 50/1.8 can achieve a magnification ratio up to .68x. The same extension tube on a 75-300 will only get you up to .39x.

I agree, and that is why the extension tube is just a beginner's way into macro photography, and why the 70-300mm lens isn't exactly the best way to go if that is the priority.

I guess more extension tubes than 25mm can be used, but I don't see that done too much.

I have one 25 myself that I use. I found that I liked the mild effect it had on minimum focus distance of my 100-400mm.

---Bob Gross---

[Hark]

I think you should keep that lens because it's not expensive and does what it's meant to well, but don't expect it to perform well in low light or for macro. Get a dedicated macro lens, there are a few options from Tamron and Sigma if money's tight.
and I am guessing what it does well is moreso telephoto portion right? I am getting the sense from all those who have replied (ty btw) that it definately is not meant for Macro shots of Corals in a reef tank....

[Pyromaniac]

I have a Canon 75-300mm that I use for distance shooting and a 50mm f/2.5 macro I use for close up work. I have a couple of shots I took with the 50mm in the thread What is your view of my lens choice? You (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=52817) can give them a look if you want. I personaly think that for macro shooting anything more than 100mm it to long. As far as returning it goes it depends on what other lenes you have. I have never used the Sigma 70-300mm so I can't comment on it's quality, but it should be fine as a telephoto zoom. If you really want to do macro work I would sugguest that you get a dedicated macro lens similar to the 50mm f/2.5 or 100mm f/2.8 macro's that Caonon makes. The shorter macro lenses have a much shorter/closer minimum focusing distance and are easier to work with especialy if you want to do it hand held. I have had my 50mm macro as close as 4 inches from the front of the lens to what I was shooting. I don't think that you are going to be able to get a 300mm lens that close and get it to focus on anything. Thats my two cents worth.

[tim]

and I am guessing what it does well is moreso telephoto portion right? I am getting the sense from all those who have replied (ty btw) that it definately is not meant for Macro shots of Corals in a reef tank....

The 70-300 is a pretty good lens for Telephoto shots of stuff a distance away from you, in reasonable light. I got a great pic of a bird that was 3-4 meters away taking off, near full frame. It's not great for macro, nowhere near as good as s dedicated macro lens.

[Hark]

The 70-300 is a pretty good lens for Telephoto shots of stuff a distance away from you, in reasonable light. I got a great pic of a bird that was 3-4 meters away taking off, near full frame. It's not great for macro, nowhere near as good as s dedicated macro lens.
Great thanks....I dont think i want to use the Marco lense for Grizzly bear photos :-)

[Neens_wa]

If you're going where I think you're going...You going to be onthe Northeast side of Vancouver Island, or just across the Strait on the Northwest side of the mainland, maybe up river inland a bit? There's some SERIOUS bear country there - absolutely FAB oportunities there! (I am SO green with envy! That's on my list of stuff to shoot!)

The 70-300 is nice with your 1.6x factor on the Rebel, but will you be IN THE FOREST (literally), or will you be shooting from a boat, etc.? I worry about your lens speed... In June, you will be looking at rainy weather, overcast, and probably pretty low light. Days are long, but light is pretty low until July.

I live on a peninsula in Western Washinton (Olympic side of Puget sound - bout 1:15 from Victoria, B.C.). Summer doesn't hit these parts until well into July... I'm sure that much farther north, you're gonna have the same issue. I sure would like to hear comments from folks with experience in this part of the country, and with this range of lens. I have the Canon 75-300 IS USM, and shoot a 10D. I have to be really careful with that lens, and have to agree with the 'get what ya pay for' comment. HOWEVER, ya shoots what ya gots, hence my hoping for other photogs in the area to comment.

Re: comments on the 50mm 1.8 - I saw some shots done with that lens on a website the other day (do a search on the Forum for MACRO, I think that's where I saw it..).
VERY nice stuff, makes me want to get busy with my 50mm... ;o) It's an inexpensive lens as well... you could have lotsa fun, grasshopper.

Congrats on your first digital. You are going to have SO much fun! BTW - if you don't want to lose more precious moolah, and need batteries - doesn't the Rebel use the BP-511 like the 10D??? - check out these guys - http://www.sterlingtek.com I've been using their batteries for seven months in the 10D, and using them a LOT. I've shot roughly 6,000 images on them, and they are troopers!

nina

[tim]

Great thanks....I dont think i want to use the Marco lense for Grizzly bear photos :-)

Macro lenses are good for macro AND normal photography - I use the 100mm for portraits too.

[ScottE]

If you really want to use this lens for macro, get a set of 3 Kenko extension tubes. You can use any one, two or all three tubes in combinations for differing amounts of magnification.

Hint: When focusing with extension tubes on a zoom lens, use the zoom for rough focus and only use the actual focus ring for fine focus adjustments. Otherwise you will spend a lot of time adjusting your tripod to get the distance just right.

[timmyquest]

70-300 Macro


I pray for you my friend.

It's ok, i spent $250 on one ($500 for the two lens kit that is on ebay for 175-ish)

[Hark]

If you're going where I think you're going...You going to be onthe Northeast side of Vancouver Island, or just across the Strait on the Northwest side of the mainland, maybe up river inland a bit? There's some SERIOUS bear country there - absolutely FAB oportunities there! (I am SO green with envy! That's on my list of stuff to shoot!)

The 70-300 is nice with your 1.6x factor on the Rebel, but will you be IN THE FOREST (literally), or will you be shooting from a boat, etc.? I worry about your lens speed... In June, you will be looking at rainy weather, overcast, and probably pretty low light. Days are long, but light is pretty low until July.

I live on a peninsula in Western Washinton (Olympic side of Puget sound - bout 1:15 from Victoria, B.C.). Summer doesn't hit these parts until well into July... I'm sure that much farther north, you're gonna have the same issue. I sure would like to hear comments from folks with experience in this part of the country, and with this range of lens. I have the Canon 75-300 IS USM, and shoot a 10D. I have to be really careful with that lens, and have to agree with the 'get what ya pay for' comment. HOWEVER, ya shoots what ya gots, hence my hoping for other photogs in the area to comment.

Re: comments on the 50mm 1.8 - I saw some shots done with that lens on a website the other day (do a search on the Forum for MACRO, I think that's where I saw it..).
VERY nice stuff, makes me want to get busy with my 50mm... ;o) It's an inexpensive lens as well... you could have lotsa fun, grasshopper.

Congrats on your first digital. You are going to have SO much fun! BTW - if you don't want to lose more precious moolah, and need batteries - doesn't the Rebel use the BP-511 like the 10D??? - check out these guys - http://www.sterlingtek.com (http://www.sterlingtek.com/) I've been using their batteries for seven months in the 10D, and using them a LOT. I've shot roughly 6,000 images on them, and they are troopers!

nina
Here is where I am heading.....http://www.greatbeartours.com/

Right now the only lenses I have are the Sigma that started this thread off with and the lense that came with the rebel...i think it is 18-55mm? I am definately in agreement that there will be rain and cloudy skies while I am there....and I am hoping to use the time between now and june to learn how to shoot half decent shots in those types of conditions...

I am encouraged by everyones support on this forum...i must admit i was very nervous yesterday about purchasing this camera, but now i am starting to feel a little better and not so overwhelmed.

appreciate everyones comments...
thanks
ryan

[Hark]

BTW...my lense cost me $300 Canadian....can someone tell me if that is acceptable?

[Pyromaniac]

Tim's right about using the macro's for normal stuff to. I've done some portait's with my 50mm, and they looked pretty good.

[Roach711]

<<I am encouraged by everyones support on this forum...i must admit i was very nervous yesterday about purchasing this camera, but now i am starting to feel a little better and not so overwhelmed>>

Welcome to the forum! Enjoy your Drebel - it's a great camera, especially with the firmware hack installed. I started hanging out here earlier this year and found a wealth of information. But be prepared to get your wallet out!!! You'll soon find that the lenses you can actually afford suck (relatively speaking) and that you'll have to sell off your internal organs to afford the lenses you want.

I agree that using a macro lens on a grizzly may be a mistake...

Da Roach

[jay24k]

It's a decent lens. I picked it up. I hope you didn't pay too much for it. I bought mine new for 170 roughly I believe.

[Harry Settle]

I pray for you my friend.

It's ok, i spent $250 on one ($500 for the two lens kit that is on ebay for 175-ish)

I'm not sure why you would need to pray for me, assuming you are talking about the lens. Unless you are trying to tell me that this lens is going to eat my 10D, I am quite pleased with it's performance. I shoot a lot of mid-range outdoor shots, and will occasionaly crank down on a butterfly once in a while, haven't had any glitches that I could attribute to having a bad lens, yet. The only bad stuff I've gotten was shot through closed windows.

[Belmondo]

Harry:

Timmy prays for everyone. That's just the kind of guy he is.

I've learned that with few exceptions, whatever you buy, you will eventually find something better, cheaper, sexier, faster, quieter, and so forth. I've learned that it doesn't pay to even consider such things. If you're fundamentally happy with what you have, and if it's doing the job you want, you should be happier than a pig in mud.

[paulhillion]

Hi Ryan, when I bought my 300D the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO was the first lens I bought to go with it. For the price it's a great lens & as long as the lights ok you'll get great results. Might be worthwhile purchasing a monopod to carry with you?

Have a fab trip!

PS. Hang around this forum too much & before long that Sigma will be long gone & you'll have the 100-400L attached to your camera ;-)

[Harry Settle]

Harry:

Timmy prays for everyone. That's just the kind of guy he is.

I've learned that with few exceptions, whatever you buy, you will eventually find something better, cheaper, sexier, faster, quieter, and so forth. I've learned that it doesn't pay to even consider such things. If you're fundamentally happy with what you have, and if it's doing the job you want, you should be happier than a pig in mud.

No problem with prayers for me, I just fear for my equipment. OINK!

The only lens I have that I'm not real crazy about is my Sigma 24-135 2.8-4.5. I've had enough bad focus problems with it to keep me on my toes. (3 X OINKS outa 5) Still, that's the lens that I use for my walk around. I just picked up the Sigma 24-70 2.8 and am really happy with it's performance. (4.5 X OINKS outa 5)

[Hark]

Hi Ryan, when I bought my 300D the Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO was the first lens I bought to go with it. For the price it's a great lens & as long as the lights ok you'll get great results. Might be worthwhile purchasing a monopod to carry with you?

Have a fab trip!

PS. Hang around this forum too much & before long that Sigma will be long gone & you'll have the 100-400L attached to your camera ;-)Thanks Very much...appreciate it.

I was reviewing some photo's on another message board about macro's, and saw some exact shots of what i would like to achieve with my reef tank on a rebel with a Sigma telephoto 105mm f/2.8 macro lense.....Now i want one of those too :-).

[bmaru]

Hello Hark,

I believe I have that same lens, SIGMA 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 AF. I like it it’s a good “inexpensive” lens for its category. IMHOP $300.00 Canadian is to much for it. I know you can get it much cheaper about $100.00CA cheaper.

To answer you original question “Did I make a common Newbie mistake” I say NO! You’re new; you’re not a pro with 10 years of experience. You can take it back to the store, its all good.

As for the lens it’s self. If you’re having trouble with the macro, make sure that the macro switch is all the way on. You will need to extend the lens out to the 200–300mm range to flip the switch all the way. After you flip it the lens will only move between the 200-300mm ranges.

I hope it works for you, it works for me.

/Bmaru

[Hark]

Hello Hark,

I believe I have that same lens, SIGMA 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 AF. I like it it’s a good “inexpensive” lens for its category. IMHOP $300.00 Canadian is to much for it. I know you can get it much cheaper about $100.00CA cheaper.

To answer you original question “Did I make a common Newbie mistake” I say NO! You’re new; you’re not a pro with 10 years of experience. You can take it back to the store, its all good.

As for the lens it’s self. If you’re having trouble with the macro, make sure that the macro switch is all the way on. You will need to extend the lens out to the 200–300mm range to flip the switch all the way. After you flip it the lens will only move between the 200-300mm ranges.

I hope it works for you, it works for me.

/Bmaru
great thanks very much....could you please let me know where it is i could get this lense cheaper.....The store i got it from starts with an H and ends in a S :-)

[paulhillion]

Just watch out when looking for a cheaper price as there's also another version of the same lens without APO. You defiantly want the APO version!!

[Bruce Watson]

great thanks very much....could you please let me know where it is i could get this lense cheaper.....The store i got it from starts with an H and ends in a S :-)

Check out the recommended vendors sticky thread; there are quite a few Canadian entries.

The store you mention, the one starting with an "H" and ending with an "s" is good but tends to be pricey. Look around on the web.

You can also buy from the US but stick with reputable online dealers like BH, Adorama or Calumet and others recommended on the thread. Often with exhange factored in, this is the cheapest.

Keep in mind that there is no duty on cameras on lens under NAFTA, but you will pay shipping, maybe some brokerage or handling (Canada Post charges $5.00) and GST and the local provincial tax.

But, you would be paying those taxes anyways at the local shop.

Don't use the basic UPS or Fedex, pay for for the expedited or USPS Xpress because basic UPS has nasty brokerage fees that they don't tell you about in advance. DAMHIK.

As for your lens choice, check out the web for examples shot with this lens and do some testing on your own. There are better lenses, but at a premium cost.

Often, a great photo can be made with any glass, the higher price buys you speed (faster f stop)and sharpness that will be discernable in heavy crops or large blow ups.

If you are happy with this lens for now, keep it, use it. Someday you may buy something more high end as your skills develop and you can always sell it on EBay or a forum like this.

[Mark Kemp]

If all you had was the 18-55 then anything with a 300mm reach will enable you to get nature shots that you otherwise wouldn't get. The salesman sold you an adequate lens for a reasonable price. You could get a better lens for more money, but you said yourself you are a beginner and you have to start somewhere. Most of us started with basic kit and got more and better quality as we went along, usually spending a lot more in the process - welcome to the club,

[GaryTorello]

...my BRAND NEW (yes that means im one heck of a newbie to this) Digital Rebel....

Got talking to the Salesguy about why i wanted a better camera (I am going to be spending 5 days in the Grizzly Bear Rain Forest in BC in June) than the one I had. Well long story short, I walked out of there with a bit of a puzzled look on my face and another bill to pay.

He sold me (yes i am at fault for handing the plastic over to pay him..but) a 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Sigma lense. That 70-300 wiill be oh so much more useful (especially if weather is to be cloudy, etc.) if you spend just a TAD more.. on a good tripod. :)


_____________________
Gary

[Neens_wa]

Great.... thanks, I just sent them an inquiry for pricing... ;o) Nice looking trip!!!!

In the blind, with a tripod or monopod, you should be ok with that lens, and if you've got a steady hand, and steady passengers on the boat (probably more light as well!!!!) you should be good to go there. I highly recommend a monopod/tripod, if you don't have one - eat beans and cornbread and go get one! I have the 75-300 Canon 1:4 5.6, and it gets a bit tricky in lowlight. Start working that lens in low light situations (shouldn't be hard THIS time of year!), so you're familiar with it, and everything you do is second nature as to not distract from you enjoying a) the bears, and b) composing your shots.

Also, go find/buy the Magic Lantern book for that Rebel body! Those books are wonderful!

Again, I hope you share your shots with us! Welcome to the digital world... you're on your way to more fun than you can imagine!


nina

[Pyromaniac]

If all you had was the 18-55 then anything with a 300mm reach will enable you to get nature shots that you otherwise wouldn't get. The salesman sold you an adequate lens for a reasonable price. You could get a better lens for more money, but you said yourself you are a beginner and you have to start somewhere. Most of us started with basic kit and got more and better quality as we went along, usually spending a lot more in the process - welcome to the club,
Thats the way I started, with the kit for a Reble XSn, then got the 75-300mm, then the 50mm macro and the 540EX flash., NOw I want well a whole lot of stuff actually, but the next thing I want to get is a 20D then a 17-40mm wide angle, and on and on. The list gets quite long.

So Hark, get ready to start skimping and saving and drooling over a lot of really cool gear that you will end up wanting like the rest of us on here. I once wrote a list if the stuff I wanted and looked up the prices on the internet and it was about $35,000 when added up. Ahh how nice it would be to have a 600mm lens. Or even better the 1200mm but I can't even find prices on that one on the net, andI'm afraid to ask the camera shop.

Like Mark said wecome to the club, and have as much fun with it as you can.