Which lens should I keep - Tamron or Sigma

I was looking for a cheap zoom lens, because I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to use it. Mostly for outdoor shots of the kids / sports. I have been looking on ebay and reading here, and decided on either the Tamron 70-300 or the Sigma 70-300. Well, I won two auctions over the weekend, a Sigma 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 APO Macro Zoom for Canon AF and a Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6.

Both are suppose to be in really great condition. I have already paid for both, and should receive them by the end of the week. My question is, because of my limited experience/knowledge, which one should I keep, and which one should I sell (I obviously don't need both).

Thanks in advance for any input.

You're going to get opinions from both sides. Myself, I would suggest keeping the Tamron, but that's because I have three of them and all have been excellent. I can't speak for Sigma because I have no experience with them.

The best thing for you to do, since you have already paid for them, is to shoot with both and make the decision based on your own experience with the lenses. Give each a test under the same conditions, with the same settings, and compare the images side-by-side. Once you decide which one you like best, you can sell the other and hopefully make your money back on it.

The worst thing you could do is cave to opinions expressed on here, and you're going to get a lot of them. Don't let other's opinions influence your choice...

They are pretty much the same lens. Since they are already used, you are going to reduce their value by playing with them. I would say use each one exclusively for a week and see which one seems to give you better images and/or has a better feel.

I love the Sigma 70-300 APO macro lens. I think it's a great lens at a terrific price point. I used mine for quite a while before upgrading.

Great feedback. Thanks to both you guys!

I'll use each side by side for a week, and compare the results. Based on what I paid, I should easily get my money back for either one.

Thanks!

Mr. Clean wrote in post #8154022
I love the Sigma 70-300 APO macro lens. I think it's a great lens at a terrific price point. I used mine for quite a while before upgrading.

Yeah, I have the 70-200 f4L on the short term wish list, but just wanted to make sure I was going to use a zoom within that range before I spent 4-5x the money.

I received both lens, and tried the Tamron first. I was pretty impressed with the results I was getting - just outside shots playing around. I see that I'm going to have to get a monopod pretty quick.

Then tried the Sigma, and got the "err99" message on the screen, which means it isn't compatible with my 20D without rechipping the lens.

So I guess that made my decision easy enough. I'll just keep the Tamron and sell the Sigma.

Before you consider investing in a monopod, you may do what I did. Get the 55-250 IS. The IS lets me handhold reliably at 1/30th at 250mm. Just a thought. I don't know what you have into that lens, but I'd rather spend an extra $100 and not have to carry a monopod.

Other option is to just use your Tamron at ISO 800-1600 all the time to keep shutter at 1/500.

I've never looked into the 55-250IS! I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip.