My Impression: Sigma 70-300 APO DG Macro

delhi wrote in post #2062948
If I am into sports shots, I wouldn't even consider the F4L. Too slow aperture wise. Gotta get the f2.8 brother or the Sigma version.

If it's within the focal range then the f4 is a great sports lens.
The only reasons to go f2.8 would be low light and the ability to take a 2xTC.

F4 at 200mm is only 40cm of focus depth at 10m anyway.
F2.8 is 14cm @ 10m.

You would usually be stopping the f2.8 down anyway.

But I still want a Sigma 70-200 f2.8

Wow, I just got this lens. The macro mode is sooo much fun! I whipped out the tripod and took a few shots I'll post later. I am almost certainly getting the 70-200 f4l soon (maybe Monday) as a friend wants to upgrade and may sell me his at an amazing price. I do think I'll keep this lens for when I go out and want something light, and I don't think the 70-200 will be able to touch it macro capability wise.

Alright, here's a quick shot.

Some more, straight from the camera. Comments are appreciated, I don't know if any of those are considered good, I'm still new to photography . I think this lens is decently sharp though. All shot in macro mode.
300mm, f5.6, 1/2 sec, ISO 100

The macro capability of this lens makes it double the fun for half the price....
I like the pine needles, very cool.

delhi wrote in post #2086637
The macro capability of this lens makes it double the fun for half the price....
I like the pine needles, very cool.

Thanks. I was just looking around at my family's garden and as soon as I saw the pine in the lens I knew it'de be pretty sharp looking. I have a feeling I will only be using this lens for macro though.

BTW, the first photo (might just be) I upped in the last post wasn't in focus the greatest, but the bokeh looks pretty good, what do you guys think?

I agree the Pine Needles look really cool. If you're replacing it's telephoto abilities already at least you have a budget macro.

Dorman wrote in post #2086656
I agree the Pine Needles look really cool. If you're replacing it's telephoto abilities already at least you have a budget macro.

And cheap walk around telephoto for when I go on field trips at school or whatever and don't have my mind focused enough on the lens and protecting it.

BTW, anyone know the dangers of byacendelty manual focusing in autofocus mode (like when you attach the hood it forces the manual ring down when you apply some force. It says to avoid this in the manual.)

Try not to do it but not really a problem.

Alright. What do all the numbers on the lens mean too? There are some numbers on the telephoto part that look like ratios or something, probably for the macro, I have no idea how to read them. Then on the focusing ring there are some distances, must be depth of field or something (meters and feet.) Then there are some more numbers on another area, and then finally closed to the camera there are some numbers and a tick indicating your focal length.

Anybody have an explanation for all these numbers and what they do?

read the manual.

delhi wrote in post #2089169
read the manual.

I flipped it open, but I think I only read the part about how to operate it, I didn't see anything about the numbers, I'll have to check again though.

JaGWiRE wrote in post #2088207
Alright. What do all the numbers on the lens mean too? There are some numbers on the telephoto part that look like ratios or something, probably for the macro, I have no idea how to read them. Then on the focusing ring there are some distances, must be depth of field or something (meters and feet.) Then there are some more numbers on another area, and then finally closed to the camera there are some numbers and a tick indicating your focal length.

Anybody have an explanation for all these numbers and what they do?

If it is like the non apo lens:
- first ring (from the camera) focal length, on the reverse the filter diameter
- second one an indication of the depth of field (look at the distance indication on ring 3 at the line, with an aperature of 22 the depth of field is from the distance on ring three to the distance opposite to the second 22.
Don't know what the R and W are.
- third ring focussing distance in meters and feet. I think the N is the difference between achievable normal and macro distance
-when you zoom in the numbers on the tube give the macro ration at a distance of 1.5 meters. ie object will be 1/12th actual size on the sensor at zoom length of 100mm, and 1/5th actual size at 200mm


Olga

odvdveer wrote in post #2089391
If it is like the non apo lens:
- first ring (from the camera) focal length, on the reverse the filter diameter
- second one an indication of the depth of field (look at the distance indication on ring 3 at the line, with an aperature of 22 the depth of field is from the distance on ring three to the distance opposite to the second 22.
Don't know what the R and W are.
- third ring focussing distance in meters and feet. I think the N is the difference between achievable normal and macro distance
-when you zoom in the numbers on the tube give the macro ration at a distance of 1.5 meters. ie object will be 1/12th actual size on the sensor at zoom length of 100mm, and 1/5th actual size at 200mm


Olga

Thanks!