NEED HELP!!! Descision between two lens!

[DeltaWebb]

I got the best news today!!! My Father's Day present came early!!! :D :D :D :D

I wanted to get the Canon EF 75-300mm F4-5.6 IS USM, but my wife called around and did her own research and she bought me a SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 Macro Super II. :confused: She said that I could return it and get the Canon, but I'm not sure that I want to. I took a couple of test shots inside using the light from the door, but it is cloudy outside and there is low light. Didn't get as many results as I was hoping, but is it common to have to learn how to use a new lense all over?

PLEASE leave as many comments as possible!!! Our budget pretty much dictates one of these two lenses, and I only have the kit 17-50mm and want a tele-zoom.

Thanks for the help! :) Here are the test shots only resized.

[tommykjensen]

I think these are lovely photos and if You are happy with them I think You should keep the lens.

I have had the Canon 75-300 IS but was not quite happy with the results (could have been me though ;-) )

[condyk]

Nice lens, nice wife, nice kid ... nice world :lol:

Sure, you will need to learn to get the best from the lens but looks like you have the eye for a good shot and that's the main thing!

[DeltaWebb]

Does anyone have this lens and how much should it cost?

[condyk]

Does anyone have this lens and how much should it cost?

I used to have it assuming it's the APO version and liked it for the money. In the UK cheapest price is around £140.

[DeltaWebb]

I used to have it assuming it's the APO version and liked it for the money. In the UK cheapest price is around £140.

Now I'm really worried! My wife paid $450 US for it and I think she got taken because that means it was £240. And I did a search for it and found it for about $150. She is telling me that it is supposed to be brand new and specifically made for digital cameras. Could that explain the price difference?

[Skip Souza]

At Sigma4less.com the APO version is $175 and the non APO is $130.

[condyk]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=163657&is=REG

B&H show very decent market prices and so a useful reference. You can see above that the APO version is around $90 more than the less atrractive DL version which costs $139. Maybe she paid the Manufacturers RRP rather than the normal shop around a bit price! Good lens the APO, but dunno if it's worth $450. Nothing else around for that price though other than the Canon IS or the 100-300mm USM Canon. Decent buys. I'd get a refund and then buy from B&H or Sigma4less ... you can spend the balance on a nice night out for the wife :lol:

[MTalley]

B&H lists two 70-300mm Sigma lenses. The DL Super Macro II at $139 and the APO Zoom Macro II at $219. Sounds like wherever your wife bought the lens, they are pretty proud of them. Hopefully, their return policy reflects their prices.

If possible, I'd return it and buy one on-line, especially since you mention a limited budget.

I bought the Tamron 70-300 f/4-5.6 LD lens locally for $199 and B&H has it for $159, though I like to occasionally visit the local shop to show my face as a buyer, since I might need to start using their pro lab soon.

[DeltaWebb]

Thanks again for the info. that is what I have seen online. She was told by the salesperson that it was specifically designed for digital cameras, but I can not find it on Sigma's website and all their DC version lenses are more, but no 70-300mm. Could this really be and not be on Sigma's site?

[ron chappel]

Many older sigma lenses wouldn't work with the latest canon cameras.
Sigma have fixed those problems now so ALL current stock sigma lenses (and anything at least a year old) will work with canon digital cameras.
In any case there is NO WAY they should be gouging that price for what is a completely normal lens .It's extortion or at least a manipulation of the facts.ABSOLUTALLY DEFINITELY return it and get a full refund!!!

......and i just realized you don't even have the worthwhile Apo version!!! AAAHHHHH-you got had man!!!!!!!!

Sigma do have some 'digitally optomised' lenses but as you correctly say ,the 70-300 Apo is not one of them (unless it has just been released and not even the sigma site has it! )
That would be highly unlikely-here is the current list-notice they are designated 'DG' :
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0502/05021401sigma10dgs.asp

In any case you can tell for certain because your lens will have 'DG' somewhere in the name.


By the way ( all pricing issues aside) that lens you have is an average one.The APO version of this sigma 70-300 *is* a good lens (just be sure you get sharp one as they can vary abit)

In fact the canon 75-300 is also (optically) not much better than average,it's the image stabilization that jacks up the price enormously.Wether you want to pay the extra for IS is something only you can decide.Some NEED it,some like me don't.
I had one but prefered to put my money into an optically better lens and forego the IS feature

Bottom line-return the lens and *preferably* insert in into the south end of the salesman.
It's an ok lens which you could live with quite happily ..........but not at that price

[cfcRebel]

B&H is a very reputable online retailer. Sigma 70-300 non-APO for $450 is really too much. Explain this nicely to your wife, return the lens, then get the right one online. The money you save, you can buy her a nice romantic dinner. ;)

[DeltaWebb]

Thanks everyone. She feels really bad, but I told her that everyone has a story like this where they paid too much for something without realizing it, only to find out later. Iwas pretty happy wih the few shots I did get, so I WILL return it and probably get the APO version somewhere else. The funny thing is, their prices are really good on everything else I saw on there web site. That's where my wife trusted this guy.

Thanks again!

[DeltaWebb]

Thanks everyone. She feels really bad, but I told her that everyone has a story like this where they paid too much for something without realizing it, only to find out later. Iwas pretty happy wih the few shots I did get, so I WILL return it and probably get the APO version somewhere else. The funny thing is, their prices are really good on everything else I saw on there web site. That's where my wife trusted this guy.

Thanks again!

[ron chappel]

Yes you're right-everyone does have a story like this!
I feel bad for both of you.She feels guilty and you feel frustrated (but your trying to hide it because otherwise she'll feel worse)

[whchan]

The most important thing is you have a great family, a very caring wife and a beautiful kid. Although this buying experiment turns out to be not completely positive, a much more important thing, family sticking together, really shown here.
I have a small baby (8 months old girl) and taking a lot of indoor shots. I am on a budget as well and I am very happy with the Canon 50/1.8. It costs ~$70 and will take GREAT indoor shots. When you get the inflated money back, you may want to pick up both the Sigma 70-300 (~$220) and the 50/1.8 (~$70). You still have ~$100 in your pocket.

[wayne53]

I have the Canon 75-300 F4-5.6 IS USM and I don't quite know if I'm happy with it. But I'm still trying to convince myself I really don't need the 70-200 F2.8L.

[griff2]

Well, I had the non-USM version of the 75-300 and didn't like it - 200-300 too soft to be usable, and only really any good in the middle of the lens (f/8-f/11). If the price of the 70-200 f/2.8 L seems a bit steep get the 70-200 f/4 L, I did, and what a superb lens it is.

[Dante King]

Damn Deltaweb, wish my wife would have bought me a lens! She is a keeper. Great looking kid too! All I got was a hug goodbye on my way to work. No new glass for Dante....And I hinted Too. Well she already thinks my camera bag is overloaded.;) Congrats and happy fathers day!!!

[DeltaWebb]

Wish me luck...I'm getting into the boxing ring with the sellers today to see what I can do about this crud. Calling Sigma first to see what they have to say about their 70-300mm and the MSRP.

[cfcRebel]

If you paid by credit card, some card automatically comes with 30 days lowest price guaranteed. Check with your CC provider.

[DeltaWebb]

GOOD NEWS!!! They sent the wrong lens. What they were supposed to send was the NEW Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO MACRO Super DG !!! :D

Anyone seen this lens yet? I guess it was just announced earlier this month and released in Canon and Nikon only so far. The price is still a little high from the MSRP but I know that's typical of a lot of things right out of the gate.

Any suggestions? I'm going to exchange it for the right lens and at least try it out...see how it does.

[condyk]

I suggest that you get a refund as I doubt that paying what is double the current general retail price for the non DG version is going to prove good value. Or, keep what you have and get a huge discount/part refund from the shop. However, if you can get a full refund later then no harm in trying it I guess. Who knows, maybe Sigma have produced a lens to out gun the Canon 70-200mm f4 L :lol: :lol: Are you sure they're no trying to worm out of responsibility. The DG version isn't even on the Sigma web site, so how could they send the wrong one. Can't believe it;s in shops yet!!

[DeltaWebb]

I know that it is not on Sigma's website yet, but I called Sigma USA to ask about it and it was released earlier this month. I'm going to call a couple other places to see if they have it yet and what their price might be.

[cfcRebel]

After the HUGE mistake they've made (by sending wrong lens but charging deluxe price), i don't think i'll deal with them anymore. I'll get my money back and then look for another honest retailer.

[DeltaWebb]

After the HUGE mistake they've made (by sending wrong lens but charging deluxe price), i don't think i'll deal with them anymore. I'll get my money back and then look for another honest retailer.

I think you're right, but I might have trouble getting all my money back for the shipping because they automatically insure them without asking and the terms state they don't refund shipping. I'm going to get in the ring anyway and duke it out. It wasn't paid for by credit card so I can't just reverse the charges. :mad:

Wish me luck!!!