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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / November 2006Sigma vs. Tamaron
Group, I'm looking to buy a 70 - 300mm AF lens for my Pentax *istDL. Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits of the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro lens @ 219USD vs the Tamaron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro lens @ 189USD. I can't see much, id any, difference based solely on specs. TIA -- Al Reid I prefer the Sigma.  SignatureDimitris M > Group, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I can't see much, id any, difference based solely on specs. >I prefer the Sigma. >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> >> I can't see much, id any, difference based solely on specs. Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and it seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you have any Sigma lenses and ahve you experienced any problems? -- Al Reid >>I prefer the Sigma. >>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > -- > Al Reid That is pretty normal for real macros to be slow to focus, in macro mode I would not be auto focusing anyway. >> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and it >> seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you have any [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > That is pretty normal for real macros to be slow to focus, in macro mode I > would not be auto focusing anyway. I don't use the AF on macro shots any more. I was using it to take some indoor non-macro shots when I had issues with it being slow or hunting in/out. My Pentax kit 18-55 lens seemed to do much better in the same situation. Here are a few shots taken with the Sigma 105mm DG Macro. http://photo.reid-home.com/2006080913.jpg http://photo.reid-home.com/Butterfly_014.jpg http://photo.reid-home.com/ThistleCirsium04.jpg http://photo.reid-home.com/WaspOnSedum02.jpg http://photo.reid-home.com/SnowyEgret01.JPG http://photo.reid-home.com/ColorfulCanoes.JPG I do like the lens, even with the slow focus. So, I'm still torn as to which lens to buy. -- Al Reid >>> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and it >>> seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you have [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Al Reid Some great shots there although I think one or two may have been sharpened a little to much. What tools are you using for post processing? What Pentax are you using? Cheers. Pete D >>>> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and it >>>> seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you have [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > Pete D Pete, Perhaps some are a bit over sharpened. I sharpened again after reducing the size and probably over did it. I use both PS CS2 and PSP 10. I'm ising a Pentax DL and have my eye on a K10D. My first camera was a K1000. -- Al Reid >>>>> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and >>>>> it seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > -- > Al Reid I have in order, KM, MV-1, MZ-50, DS, have a K10D on order and expect it here some time next week, the wait is killing me, I do have a manual though so I think I will be able to use it in my sleep. ;-) http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/285444496/. >>>>>> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and >>>>>> it seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/285444496/. I had an ME Super (both i and my K1000 were stolen) and still have a P3, although it's been some time since I've put any film in it. >>>>>>> Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and >>>>>>> it seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > I had an ME Super (both i and my K1000 were stolen) and still have a P3, > although it's been some time since I've put any film in it. My KM was stolen when our house was burgled some years ago but I bought a new/replacement recently for $35 that was in absolutely pristine condition and included the same 55mm F1.8 lens that was on my original, almost finished the first roll of RealA, remonds me that I must finish that off and get it in for processing. > >>I prefer the Sigma. > >> -- [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > That is pretty normal for real macros to be slow to focus, in macro mode I > would not be auto focusing anyway. Autofocusing is handy if your subject (like an insect) is moving around or flying and your DOF is shallow. >> >>I prefer the Sigma. >> >> -- [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Autofocusing is handy if your subject (like an insect) is moving around > or flying and your DOF is shallow. Yes but I suspect even on cameras such as the 1DsMkII or the D2X AF focusing will still be a problem a lot of the time and that MF would still be the best choice. I have the Sigma 70-300. I don't use it much anymore, since I now own the Nikkor 18-200 VR and I prefer it mostly because of the convinience and the VR. Before buy the 18-200, I use it very much. It is not fast focus, especially when in macro or in low light in full tele, but this is normal for a lens of this aperture and focal length without internal focus motor. That matters is that the optics are surprisingly good for a lens in this price. Mine is the APO II macro super, that is exactly the same as the APO DG macro. Two years ago, when I tested the lens against the simillar Tamron, the results had visible difference. The Tamron was visibly softer. And build quality of the Sigma was a little better to my eyes. That I don't know if today's Tamron is the same or improved. For that reason I didn't say "The Sigma is better" but rather the subjective "I prefer the Sigma". SignatureDimitris M >>I prefer the Sigma. > Thanks. Any particular reason? I have the Sigme 105mm DG Macro and it > seems a little slow to focus and seems to hunt at times. Do you have any > Sigma lenses and ahve you experienced any problems? > > -- > Al Reid > I'm looking to buy a 70 - 300mm AF lens for my Pentax *istDL. Does > anyone have any thoughts on the merits of the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 > APO DG Macro lens @ 219USD vs the Tamaron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD > Macro lens @ 189USD. Both are considered fine for consumer grade telephoto zooms, from what I have read. The Tamron seems more popular. I have the "Quantaray" (Ritz house brand) that is made by either Tamron or Sigma, depending on who you believe. None of these is generally conisdered in the same class as the Pentax DA 50-200 that I use much more often now. It is in the same price range as the others if the rebate is still vaid, and I personally find I like having the 50-70 range (especially for portrait-type shots) available more than I miss the 200-300 range (although I carry a 1.5 teleconverter just in case) or the "macro" capability (I also carry a cheap close-up lens that allows my 50-200 to focus even closer than the "macro" zooms). I greatly appreciate how much smaller/lighter the 50-200 is than the 70-300's. It is now perhaps my most used lens, whereas I kind of avoided the 70-300 because of its bulk and because the "wide" end was fairly useless for most purposes. But if you know you'd need the 200-300 or macro capability and don't want to mess with a TC or close-up lens and don't mind the extra size/weight and can live without the 50-70 range, or have another lens you like for that, you could probably be happy with either of the lenses you are looking at. --------------- Marc Sabatella marc@outsideshore.com Music, art, & educational materials Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer" http://www.outsideshore.com/ >> I'm looking to buy a 70 - 300mm AF lens for my Pentax *istDL. Does >> anyone have any thoughts on the merits of the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer" > http://www.outsideshore.com/ I've also looked at the Pentax DA 50-200 and it looks like a great lens, but I wanted to go a but longer. I also looked at the Sigma 50-500, but it's a but more than I want to spend. Do you know of any other reasonable options in addition to the Sigma and Tamron.? -- Al Reid > I've also looked at the Pentax DA 50-200 and it looks like a great > lens, but I wanted to go a but longer. I also looked at the Sigma > 50-500, but it's a but more than I want to spend. Also MUCH more expensive - costs about as much as *two* DL's. Also MUCH bigger and about *three times* heavier than the lenses you are looking at - almost certainly more than you'd consider ever hand-holding. Frankly, even the 70-300's are borderline as it is, for me. Not that they are literally too heavy to hold, but holding one steady enough to shoot and get decent results when the center of gravity is so far in front of the camera is iffier than I would like under most lighting conditions. In other posts, you ask about focus speed, and the Quantaray at least (which I at leats am pretty sure is made by Tamron) is *extremely* slow compared to the DA50-200. I doubt the Tamron or Sigma versions would be much of an improvement - they are just as cheap, just as big, just as slow (in terms of light made available for focusing), and of course, the motor is on the camera, not in the lens. Regarding reach, I don't know if you have experience with other systems for sake of comparison, but keep in mind 200 on a DL is like 300 on a full frame system for reach. > Do you know of any other reasonable options in addition to the Sigma > and Tamron.? Well, Pentax makes or used to make a 75-300 also - part of the "FA-J" series that are generally considered junk. Cheaper than what you are looking at, but that's probably the only advantage. If you're set on something in the 70-300 range, you're already looking in the right places, I think, unless you do feel like waiting to see what this next generation of Pentax telephoto zooms will be like. --------------- Marc Sabatella marc@outsideshore.com Music, art, & educational materials Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer" http://www.outsideshore.com/ >> I've also looked at the Pentax DA 50-200 and it looks like a great lens, >> but I wanted to go a but longer. I also looked at the Sigma 50-500, but [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > for sake of comparison, but keep in mind 200 on a DL is like 300 on a full > frame system for reach. I have many lenses that I have collected over the last 25 years, most of which are manual focus. I have a 80-205mm ProMaster that is at least 10-15 years old and is quite heavy (a little under 2 lbs) and at least 2 inches longer than the Sigma or Tamron 70-300. I find that when takng wildlife /nature shots that I want a little longer lens and would like to upgrade to simething longer/lighter and autofocus. The Tamron is 15.3 oz an 4.7" long. The Sigma is 20.8 oz and 4.6" long. So from a weight perspective, the Tamron has an advantage. I just have no experience with Tamron. >> Do you know of any other reasonable options in addition to the Sigma and >> Tamron.? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I think, unless you do feel like waiting to see what this next generation > of Pentax telephoto zooms will be like. Perhaps the Tamron is the right choice for now. I can always buy again in a couple of years. > --------------- > Marc Sabatella [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer" > http://www.outsideshore.com/ >>> I've also looked at the Pentax DA 50-200 and it looks like a great lens, >>> but I wanted to go a but longer. I also looked at the Sigma 50-500, but [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] >> Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer" >> http://www.outsideshore.com/ Also have a look at the Sigma 170-500 if you need the length, they are a bit cheaper than the 50-500mm Bigma and somewhat smaller. > Group, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > -- > Al Reid I have the 70-300mm DG APO Sigma and it is a pretty reasonable lens. for the money. Look here for some shots taken with this lens. http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=41778#41778 http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=37487#37487 >> Group, >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?pid=37487#37487 Thanks for the input, Pete. I followed the links, but can't seem to find the photos. Does this lens focus reasonable quick? I have a Sigma 105mm DG Macro, and it seems to be a bit sluggish. Also, What camera are you using it on? -- Al Reid > Thanks for the input, Pete. I followed the links, but can't seem to find > the photos. Does this lens focus reasonable quick? I have a Sigma 105mm DG [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > -- > Al Reid Macro lenses can be slow focusing because they have a very long way to go from 1:1 to infinity. OTOH, it should be pretty quick focusing at longer distances (ie between 5 meters and infinity) - except if it fails to lock then it has to wind a long way and back again, even with the focus limiter on. >>> Group, >>> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Al Reid Not sure why the links did not work, try these. http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/Wattle-Bird.jpg http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/Wattle-Bird-2.jpg http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/Resize-25-percent.jpg http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/100-percent-crop.jpg http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/Redback-Spider.jpg >>>> Group, >>>> [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > http://www.shuttertalk.com/forums/images/upload/Redback-Spider.jpg Pete, There must be something wrong at my end. I can't see any of the photos on that site. I haven't had any problems elsewhere, however. I really would like to see your photos before I make up my mind. Was the Wattle Bird photo on http://pentaxds.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/6/1?xurl=%2Fphotos%2Fphoto%2F6%2F1 shtor with the Sigma 70-300 lens? Are there any others you can point me to? -- Al Reid >>>>> Group, >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > -- > Al Reid Same ones, they were taken through a window as well. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/137335646/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/115226805/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/263605584/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pete_with_pentax/263774304/ Few more with that lens here as well. I will have a look and drop a few more if I can find a few minutes. > Same ones, they were taken through a window as well. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Few more with that lens here as well. I will have a look and drop a few > more if I can find a few minutes. Pete, Good shots there. Looks like I'm leaning toward the Sigma again. I'm really not concerned with the price difference. I want the better of the lenses and I like what I see there. -- Al Reid >>> Group, >>> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Al Reid Pentax DS, soon on a Pentax K10D. >>> Group, >>> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > -- > Al Reid The 70-300mm APO focuses faster than the 105 EX DG macro. I've got both lenses. Don't expect the 70-300mm lens to focus very fast but for the money, it's a good bang for your buck. >>>> Group, >>>> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > lenses. Don't expect the 70-300mm lens to focus very fast but for the > money, it's a good bang for your buck. Thanks for your input. I'm now leaning toward the Sigma. -- Al Reid > Group, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I can't see much, id any, difference based solely on specs. First of all, it's Tamron. One 'a'. :-) Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look around; they're not hard to find. Also, you might keep your eye on this: <http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/lens/roadmap.pdf> Depending on your needs, you could get whichever long zoom is cheaper and deal with it until the Pentax 60-250 or 70-300 comes along. >> Group, >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > Depending on your needs, you could get whichever long zoom is cheaper > and deal with it until the Pentax 60-250 or 70-300 comes along. Thanks. If I understand, your suggestion is to get whichever I can get cheapest. Is that correct? -- Al Reid > >> Group, > >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Thanks. If I understand, your suggestion is to get whichever I can get > cheapest. Is that correct? My suggestion is to get the Pentax they're planning on releasing. If you don't want to wait, then get something now you can sell later. >> >> Group, >> >> [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > My suggestion is to get the Pentax they're planning on releasing. If you > don't want to wait, then get something now you can sell later. I agree that the upcoming Pentax lenses look good. I want to get something right away, however. I think maybe the Tamron, because of the weight (5 oz lighter than the Sigma) may be the way to go in the short run. -- Al Reid >> >> Group, >> >> [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > My suggestion is to get the Pentax they're planning on releasing. If you > don't want to wait, then get something now you can sell later. Is this one of the Pentax lenses that is being made in partnership with Tokina? > Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their > previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look > around; they're not hard to find. As for the previous generation of the Sigma 70-300mm (without the "APO DG" designation), avoid it. It is very bad. I understand the current version is a decent consumer grade zoom for the money. Signature- gisle hannemyr [ gisle{at}hannemyr.no - http://hannemyr.com/photo/ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sigma SD10, Kodak DCS460, Canon Powershot G5, Olympus 2020Z ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their >> previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > "APO DG" designation), avoid it. It is very bad. I understand the > current version is a decent consumer grade zoom for the money. I wouldn't say that the non-APO Sigma 70-300mm is "very bad". It's an "OK" lens, not very bad at all IMO. >>> Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their >>> previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I wouldn't say that the non-APO Sigma 70-300mm is "very bad". It's an > "OK" lens, not very bad at all IMO. My understanding is that the CA control has been improved on the APO model. >>>> Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their >>>> previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > My understanding is that the CA control has been improved on the APO > model. I hope the OP is not understanding my post to mean that he should consider the non-APO version of the Sigma. I got mine as part of a kit, I would not purchase it individually but I would buy the APO lens. Of course, a nice EX lens would be better but also much more expensive. >>>>> Second of all: You can find either of these lenses or their >>>>> previous-generation counterparts used on ebay or craigslist. Look [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > not purchase it individually but I would buy the APO lens. Of course, a > nice EX lens would be better but also much more expensive. No problem. I'm considering the APO version, not the older unit. At this poing it looks like I'll be buying the Sigma 70-300mm APO lens along with a Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash unit. Thanks for the input. -- Al Reid The non APO is not older. It is a parallel cheaper model. http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/70-300mm.htm http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/lenses/telezoom/70-300mmAPO.htm If you are familiar with MTF curves, look how much better is the APO version SignatureDimitris M > No problem. I'm considering the APO version, not the older unit. At this > poing it looks like I'll be buying the Sigma 70-300mm APO lens along with > a Sigma EF-500 DG Super Flash unit. > -- > Al Reid |
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