70-300: Canon vs. Sigma

[rmpcanon]

I recently purchased a Digital Rebel XT; was expecting to use an existing Sigma 70-210, but the Sigma won't work w/DRXT and can't be "rechipped".

The LCS recommended a Canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 III USM. I posted here a request for comments/suggestions, but have been gone for a while and now can't find it, but from what I remember about the initial responses and from tests on the Canon 75-300 is that this Canon lens is considered "soft", and the image quality is considered to be only "mediocre".

Some suggested a Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO Macro instead. The price is a little higher for the Sigma, but if the Sigma is a better lens (and, of course, if it will fully function w/DRXT!) I am willing to pay.

Any comments before I commit? Any relative downsides to the Sigma?

Dick P

[xuxu1]

If you don´nt need the reach (300mm) you might consider the Canon or Sigma 70-200 that i´m sure are of better quality.

ED

[whchan]

From what I have read so far, the Sigma 70-300 (APO version) and the Tamron 70-300 both have better picture quality than the Canon version, unless you need the Canon IS version which will cost an additional $200.

[Wrench]

Do a search, someone had done a comparison between the Canon 100-300 USM and the Sigma 70-300 APO Marco II. At the small end both lenses were comparable. When cropped to 100% the sigma showed better clarity and color. At the big end the Sigma was clearly better and this was even more noticeable with a crop. This convinced me to get the Sigma which I'm very happy with. Be careful though as Sigmas quality can vary from lense to lense. Some are sharper than others. When you do buy it, make sure it's the Macro II, with the red band around the focusing ring not gold! happy clicking.

[eos-rob-uk]

Do a search, someone had done a comparison between the Canon 100-300 USM and the Sigma 70-300 APO Marco II. At the small end both lenses were comparable. When cropped to 100% the sigma showed better clarity and color. At the big end the Sigma was clearly better and this was even more noticeable with a crop. This convinced me to get the Sigma which I'm very happy with. Be careful though as Sigmas quality can vary from lense to lense. Some are sharper than others. When you do buy it, make sure it's the Macro II, with the red band around the focusing ring not gold! happy clicking.

good advice i had the use of a Sigma gold band 70-300 APO macro for a while, it would only work on my 350D with contacts taped up and in AV or manual with manual focus, i went for a S/H ef100-300 F4.5-5.6 USM over a sigma because of the variation in build quality and you never know if it will work on the next generation of Canon body. Around £100 GBP on ebay. sat on F8 gives a very good image.

RoB B

[rmpcanon]

<< When you do buy it, make sure it's the Macro II, with the red band around the focusing ring not gold! >>


At Canoga Camera I found the following three Sigma AF 70-300 f/4-5.6 zoom lenses; two of which had the words "Macro", "Super" and "II", but in differring orders -- (1) Macro Super II Zoom @ $140+-; (2) DL DG Macro Zoom @ $140+-; and (3) APO Zoom Macro Super II @ $200+-. Which is the good one (i.e. -- the one with the red band around the focusing ring not gold)?

Dick

[swalter]

Any relative downsides to the Sigma?

The compatibility issue you found with your previous sigma would cause me to favor Canon lenses.

-Scott

[Headcase650]

You want the "APO" version!

[Wrench]

yes, you want the APO Macro II. As long as it has all of those things in the name you're ok. It seems as if you're lucky enough to try out the lenses before you buy. This is a good way to make sure you get a good copy of the Sigma. Take your body in and snap a few shots with it. I took a gamble with getting mine off of eBay.