Sigma 70-300 mm lenses

Pentax Bob · 09-05-2011, 12:00 PM

I noticed in the lens data base that there are 3 Sigma 70-300 mm lenses listed with 3 different ratings. I am very interested in the highest rated one. It is identified as DG OS. I have searched the Sigma web site and not found any reference to this lens. Is this very new or is it perhaps a mistake. It sounds like a great upgrade from the Tamy 70-300 macro I now own. Is there some way to distuinguish this lens from the other two?? Your help would be much appreciated.

Pentax Bob

Chex · 09-05-2011, 02:31 PM

Honestly, I don't think there is THAT much difference between any of them other than the reviewers. Sigma has simply added features for updates, such as OS (optical stabilization) APO is just a glass coating to help with CA's, DG means it was made for Digital camera's no different from Pentax's moving from FA to DA.

SpecialK · 09-05-2011, 04:38 PM

The OS version is probably the latest one. It should be APO as well, like the better of the two previous versions.

m42man · 09-06-2011, 01:34 AM

From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all. If OS does indeed stand for Optical Stabilisation then it's not something you want to pay a premium for either, since you've already got SR (assuming you're going to put it on a Pentax DSLR!).

Jodokast96 · 09-06-2011, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by m42man

From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all.

Sorry, but that's absolutely wrong, but if you can find any examples of the Sigma showing purple fringing, I'd be glad to see them. One or two will do, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find them.

**luftfluss** · 09-06-2011, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by m42man

From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all.

It all depends on what's important to you. The Tamron definitely suffers from a ton more PF than the Sigma. The flip side is that the Tamron is reputedly a bit sharper, and costs less.

Pentax Bob, why not just upgrade to the Pentax 55-300?

Chex · 09-06-2011, 07:25 PM

Well the 70-300mm also does double duty for macro. I think I'd be choosing a 70-300 over the 55-300 as well.

**luftfluss** · 09-06-2011, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Chex

Well the 70-300mm also does double duty for macro. I think I'd be choosing a 70-300 over the 55-300 as well.

Well, if he's considering the OS version as a "great upgrade" from his Tammy, then he's apparently willing to eschew the sort-of-macro function, as the Sigma 70-300 doesn't support the 1:2 magnification.

I actually sold my optically-superior Pentax 55-300 and bought a Quantaray (rebadged Tamron) 70-300, because I missed the lovely 1:2 "macro".

Sagitta · 09-06-2011, 09:31 PM

I have the non-APO version. The lens is decent, and the "macro" function is kind of nifty, but not exactly what one would expect when one uses a normal macro lens. The 70-300's macro function is more of an ability to close focus at 300mm than a true macro. It basically allows you to focus at 300mm from about 3 feet away from your subject - at this range this will let you get about 2 or 3 inches worth of subject in your shot on a cropped sensor. Its actually quite handy in some situations.

FWIW, I managed to break my lens while shooting out my car window last winter when I twisted the focus in the wrong direction. I can only retract the lens by manually shoving it back into place now. That said, it still focuses just fine, so the damage is inconvenient for me more than anything else.

m42man · 09-06-2011, 10:36 PM

Originally posted by Jodokast96

Sorry, but that's absolutely wrong, but if you can find any examples of the Sigma showing purple fringing, I'd be glad to see them. One or two will do, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find them.

Yes, the Tamron is notorious in this regard, but as luftfluss said, the Tamron is much cheaper and slightly sharper. Importantly though, the fringing is easy to remove:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157674-purple-...ens-fault.html

magkelly · 09-07-2011, 04:27 AM

I have the DL version of the lens and I must say that I'm pretty happy with it so far. That's not to say I still wouldn't like the 55-300 because I love my 18-55 kit lens and I'd love to have the long zoom by Pentax too someday, but my Sigma I think was a good interim choice till I can afford a couple hundred for the 55-300. I can't quibble with my Sigma. For what I actually paid for it I definitely got my money's worth...

Chex · 09-07-2011, 01:30 PM

Also, if AF isn't a must, the Tamron Adaptall SP 70-300 Macro is a fantastic lens.. but trying to find people willing to part with them might be hard. I know mine won't hit the market anytime in the near future.

mikeSF · 09-07-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by Pentax Bob

I noticed in the lens data base that there are 3 Sigma 70-300 mm lenses listed with 3 different ratings. I am very interested in the highest rated one. It is identified as DG OS. I have searched the Sigma web site and not found any reference to this lens. Is this very new or is it perhaps a mistake. It sounds like a great upgrade from the Tamy 70-300 macro I now own. Is there some way to distuinguish this lens from the other two?? Your help would be much appreciated.

Pentax Bob

Did you notice the one that has the highest rating only has one review? in other words, one person calls it a "10"...i bet if you look through the other variants you will find one person who called each of those a "10" as well. just sayin'.
I did own two of these Sigma zooms and enjoyed them both...good luck with the hunt!

I just noticed that the thread for yet a 4th variant, the 70-300 DL, has been moved and they took my photo of it and used it for the APO version reviews.

**luftfluss** · 09-07-2011, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by m42man

Yes, the Tamron is notorious in this regard, but as luftfluss said, the Tamron is much cheaper and slightly sharper. Importantly though, the fringing is easy to remove:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157674-purple-...ens-fault.html

I wouldn't say that PF is "easy to remove". It can be mitigated to a greater or lesser degree. However, one should realize that PF (and all kinds of CA) results in a loss of image data, we just hope it isn't in an area of the photo where this is important or noticeable. Also, most methods of reducing PF result in the "fixed" areas being gray, and this isn't always appropriate to the image.

mikeSF · 09-07-2011, 02:11 PM

oh, for some reason 2 more variants of this lens were moved to the "Legacy Zoom" category. My review is in here: Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super (AFlens) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Now you have at least 5 choices.

09-05-2011, 12:00 PM	#1
Pentax Bob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maryland Photos: Albums Posts: 119	Sigma 70-300 mm lenses I noticed in the lens data base that there are 3 Sigma 70-300 mm lenses listed with 3 different ratings. I am very interested in the highest rated one. It is identified as DG OS. I have searched the Sigma web site and not found any reference to this lens. Is this very new or is it perhaps a mistake. It sounds like a great upgrade from the Tamy 70-300 macro I now own. Is there some way to distuinguish this lens from the other two?? Your help would be much appreciated. Pentax Bob

09-07-2011, 01:54 PM	#13
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by Pentax Bob I noticed in the lens data base that there are 3 Sigma 70-300 mm lenses listed with 3 different ratings. I am very interested in the highest rated one. It is identified as DG OS. I have searched the Sigma web site and not found any reference to this lens. Is this very new or is it perhaps a mistake. It sounds like a great upgrade from the Tamy 70-300 macro I now own. Is there some way to distuinguish this lens from the other two?? Your help would be much appreciated. Pentax Bob Did you notice the one that has the highest rating only has one review? in other words, one person calls it a "10"...i bet if you look through the other variants you will find one person who called each of those a "10" as well. just sayin'. I did own two of these Sigma zooms and enjoyed them both...good luck with the hunt! I just noticed that the thread for yet a 4th variant, the 70-300 DL, has been moved and they took my photo of it and used it for the APO version reviews. Last edited by mikeSF; 09-07-2011 at 02:10 PM.

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09-05-2011, 02:31 PM	#2
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	Honestly, I don't think there is THAT much difference between any of them other than the reviewers. Sigma has simply added features for updates, such as OS (optical stabilization) APO is just a glass coating to help with CA's, DG means it was made for Digital camera's no different from Pentax's moving from FA to DA.

09-05-2011, 04:38 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	The OS version is probably the latest one. It should be APO as well, like the better of the two previous versions.

09-06-2011, 01:34 AM	#4
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all. If OS does indeed stand for Optical Stabilisation then it's not something you want to pay a premium for either, since you've already got SR (assuming you're going to put it on a Pentax DSLR!).

09-06-2011, 05:27 PM	#5
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Originally posted by m42man From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all. Sorry, but that's absolutely wrong, but if you can find any examples of the Sigma showing purple fringing, I'd be glad to see them. One or two will do, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find them.

09-06-2011, 07:14 PM	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by m42man From everything I've heard about the Sigma 70-300 APO, although it's an improvement over the non-APO version, it's not going to be much of an improvement over the Tamron offering - if at all. It all depends on what's important to you. The Tamron definitely suffers from a ton more PF than the Sigma. The flip side is that the Tamron is reputedly a bit sharper, and costs less. Pentax Bob, why not just upgrade to the Pentax 55-300?

09-06-2011, 07:25 PM	#7
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	Well the 70-300mm also does double duty for macro. I think I'd be choosing a 70-300 over the 55-300 as well.

09-06-2011, 07:31 PM	#8
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by Chex Well the 70-300mm also does double duty for macro. I think I'd be choosing a 70-300 over the 55-300 as well. Well, if he's considering the OS version as a "great upgrade" from his Tammy, then he's apparently willing to eschew the sort-of-macro function, as the Sigma 70-300 doesn't support the 1:2 magnification. I actually sold my optically-superior Pentax 55-300 and bought a Quantaray (rebadged Tamron) 70-300, because I missed the lovely 1:2 "macro".

09-06-2011, 09:31 PM	#9
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	I have the non-APO version. The lens is decent, and the "macro" function is kind of nifty, but not exactly what one would expect when one uses a normal macro lens. The 70-300's macro function is more of an ability to close focus at 300mm than a true macro. It basically allows you to focus at 300mm from about 3 feet away from your subject - at this range this will let you get about 2 or 3 inches worth of subject in your shot on a cropped sensor. Its actually quite handy in some situations. FWIW, I managed to break my lens while shooting out my car window last winter when I twisted the focus in the wrong direction. I can only retract the lens by manually shoving it back into place now. That said, it still focuses just fine, so the damage is inconvenient for me more than anything else.

09-06-2011, 10:36 PM	#10
m42man Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern England Posts: 623	Originally posted by Jodokast96 Sorry, but that's absolutely wrong, but if you can find any examples of the Sigma showing purple fringing, I'd be glad to see them. One or two will do, but I think you'll be hard pressed to find them. Yes, the Tamron is notorious in this regard, but as luftfluss said, the Tamron is much cheaper and slightly sharper. Importantly though, the fringing is easy to remove: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157674-purple-...ens-fault.html

09-07-2011, 04:27 AM	#11
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	I have the DL version of the lens and I must say that I'm pretty happy with it so far. That's not to say I still wouldn't like the 55-300 because I love my 18-55 kit lens and I'd love to have the long zoom by Pentax too someday, but my Sigma I think was a good interim choice till I can afford a couple hundred for the 55-300. I can't quibble with my Sigma. For what I actually paid for it I definitely got my money's worth...

09-07-2011, 01:30 PM	#12
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678	Also, if AF isn't a must, the Tamron Adaptall SP 70-300 Macro is a fantastic lens.. but trying to find people willing to part with them might be hard. I know mine won't hit the market anytime in the near future.

09-07-2011, 02:01 PM	#14
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Originally posted by m42man Yes, the Tamron is notorious in this regard, but as luftfluss said, the Tamron is much cheaper and slightly sharper. Importantly though, the fringing is easy to remove: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157674-purple-...ens-fault.html I wouldn't say that PF is "easy to remove". It can be mitigated to a greater or lesser degree. However, one should realize that PF (and all kinds of CA) results in a loss of image data, we just hope it isn't in an area of the photo where this is important or noticeable. Also, most methods of reducing PF result in the "fixed" areas being gray, and this isn't always appropriate to the image.

09-07-2011, 02:11 PM	#15
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	oh, for some reason 2 more variants of this lens were moved to the "Legacy Zoom" category. My review is in here: Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DL Macro Super (AFlens) Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Now you have at least 5 choices.