Replacing my 70-300mm (Tamron or Sigma?)

ChrisTrevino · 08-02-2013, 01:07 PM

So, the other day my camera bag fell 4 feet to the floor landing on my Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro. It was the old version not the current one.

Anyway, the ring with the Macro switch on it broke so now when it focuses it turns that ring and will extend beyond where it should, all the way to macro extension. It does it often when zooming in and out as well. It wasn't until after it broke that I realized just how much I used it. So, now I am looking to buy a replacement.

While I would love a 70-200mm f/2.8 I simply can not afford it. I can do at best $200 right now though so I'm just looking to replace it and keep shooting.

That said I am looking at the current Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro and the current Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro as both of them are $200 new meaning I may be able to find one used even cheaper.

Anyone own either lens?

My old one was sharp enough but had some CA issues above 260mm. I typically shot it between 135mm and 200mm as a Portrait Lens or from 200-260 for Wildlife. I never really used it under 100mm

I think atm I am leaning towards the Sigma. The sample images I saw seemed to have it ahead on color and contrast over the Tamron version.

Most people use the lens for Nature/Animal type stuff though so it's hard to judge it's portrait quality on the samples.

As I said I typically shot the old one from 135-200mm between f/5.6 and f/8 for portraits. It didn't have the greatest Bokeh but it was decent and the compression it offered over my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 was nice.

If you own either of the current version of those lenses can you tell me how sharp it is wide open at 70mm, 200mm and 300mm as well as at f/8 if you shoot there frequently as I did. If you have samples of Portraits shot with either lens that would be great.

kenafein · 08-02-2013, 01:17 PM

See if you can get a copy of the DA-L 55-300. It's a better lens. It will do 28% magnification, which is just about 1:4 macro, if that's important.

VisualDarkness · 08-02-2013, 01:27 PM

Everyone is going to tell you to look for a DA-L 55-300, I can foresee the future!

**geomez** · 08-02-2013, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Everyone is going to tell you to look for a DA-L 55-300, I can foresee the future!

Haha seriously. They've all convinced me to do the same once I have an extra $200 to spend.

wsteffey · 08-02-2013, 02:26 PM

I don't believe the Pentax will focus all that close, so if the "MACRO" function is important check that out first. I owned two Sigma APO DG versions, and both lost the auto focus after relatively minor bumps, and neither is worth repairing. I did find a like new Quantaray 70-300 on Ebay (lots to pick from) for $55. and that lens is either a Tamron or Sigma, depending on who you talk two. I think I liked the Sigmas better, but they appear to be very have a couple of weak parts. The Quantaray performs very well for what it is. I have used the 70-300 more than any other lens I own, but not for landscapes.

VisualDarkness · 08-02-2013, 02:40 PM

From what I've seen the 55-300 is that much better in close than the Tamron 70-300 Di I have that you basically can crop the difference in magnification and still have the same quality. The main problem with the Tamron/Sigma 70-300's are the lightsaber-like aberrations affecting the images.

ChrisTrevino · 08-02-2013, 05:20 PM

I had the 55-300 before sold it with my K-x to get the money to buy my K-5. I can't find one used at $200 or it might have been an option. It still runs $400 new and my limit is pretty much $200 even.

I do like the versatility of having the Macro Feature on the lens as well.

The 55-300mm is def a good lens, just out of the budget.

DSims · 08-02-2013, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by ChrisTrevino

I had the 55-300 before sold it with my K-x to get the money to buy my K-5. I can't find one used at $200 or it might have been an option. It still runs $400 new and my limit is pretty much $200 even.

The DA L versions of the 55-300 are being offered for $200 on the marketplace right now. Have you looked into these, or is there some other reason you don't want a used DA L?

ChrisTrevino · 08-02-2013, 07:44 PM

I never look at the marketplace because I don't have PayPal, don't even have a Bank Account.

I did find some 55-300 on Amazon for $250 though. Either way it's $50 over my available funds and I have no income coming anytime soon.

Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo

I never said I didn't want a used lens, every lens I own is used including my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and my Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

I was mainly looking at the 2 I suggested because A they were cheaper than the 55-300, B they are new and come with warranties and C they have the macro feature.

**geomez** · 08-03-2013, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by ChrisTrevino

I never look at the marketplace because I don't have PayPal, don't even have a Bank Account.

Sorry I've got no advance for you, but I would like you to know that you can use PayPal with credit cards and gift cards.
I don't believe they require you to have a bank account. FYI.

I think you can find PayPal gift cards in gift card kiosks at brick and mortar stores like Target and supermarkets.

08-02-2013, 01:07 PM	#1
ChrisTrevino Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ecorse, MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 123	Replacing my 70-300mm (Tamron or Sigma?) So, the other day my camera bag fell 4 feet to the floor landing on my Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro. It was the old version not the current one. Anyway, the ring with the Macro switch on it broke so now when it focuses it turns that ring and will extend beyond where it should, all the way to macro extension. It does it often when zooming in and out as well. It wasn't until after it broke that I realized just how much I used it. So, now I am looking to buy a replacement. While I would love a 70-200mm f/2.8 I simply can not afford it. I can do at best $200 right now though so I'm just looking to replace it and keep shooting. That said I am looking at the current Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro and the current Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Macro as both of them are $200 new meaning I may be able to find one used even cheaper. Anyone own either lens? My old one was sharp enough but had some CA issues above 260mm. I typically shot it between 135mm and 200mm as a Portrait Lens or from 200-260 for Wildlife. I never really used it under 100mm I think atm I am leaning towards the Sigma. The sample images I saw seemed to have it ahead on color and contrast over the Tamron version. Most people use the lens for Nature/Animal type stuff though so it's hard to judge it's portrait quality on the samples. As I said I typically shot the old one from 135-200mm between f/5.6 and f/8 for portraits. It didn't have the greatest Bokeh but it was decent and the compression it offered over my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 was nice. If you own either of the current version of those lenses can you tell me how sharp it is wide open at 70mm, 200mm and 300mm as well as at f/8 if you shoot there frequently as I did. If you have samples of Portraits shot with either lens that would be great.

08-02-2013, 01:17 PM	#2
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	See if you can get a copy of the DA-L 55-300. It's a better lens. It will do 28% magnification, which is just about 1:4 macro, if that's important. Last edited by kenafein; 08-02-2013 at 01:37 PM.

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08-02-2013, 01:27 PM	#3
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Everyone is going to tell you to look for a DA-L 55-300, I can foresee the future!

08-02-2013, 02:26 PM	#4
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Everyone is going to tell you to look for a DA-L 55-300, I can foresee the future! Haha seriously. They've all convinced me to do the same once I have an extra $200 to spend.

08-02-2013, 02:26 PM	#5
wsteffey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 106	I don't believe the Pentax will focus all that close, so if the "MACRO" function is important check that out first. I owned two Sigma APO DG versions, and both lost the auto focus after relatively minor bumps, and neither is worth repairing. I did find a like new Quantaray 70-300 on Ebay (lots to pick from) for $55. and that lens is either a Tamron or Sigma, depending on who you talk two. I think I liked the Sigmas better, but they appear to be very have a couple of weak parts. The Quantaray performs very well for what it is. I have used the 70-300 more than any other lens I own, but not for landscapes.

08-02-2013, 02:40 PM	#6
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	From what I've seen the 55-300 is that much better in close than the Tamron 70-300 Di I have that you basically can crop the difference in magnification and still have the same quality. The main problem with the Tamron/Sigma 70-300's are the lightsaber-like aberrations affecting the images.

08-02-2013, 05:20 PM	#7
ChrisTrevino Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ecorse, MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 123 Original Poster	I had the 55-300 before sold it with my K-x to get the money to buy my K-5. I can't find one used at $200 or it might have been an option. It still runs $400 new and my limit is pretty much $200 even. I do like the versatility of having the Macro Feature on the lens as well. The 55-300mm is def a good lens, just out of the budget.

08-02-2013, 05:44 PM	#8
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by ChrisTrevino I had the 55-300 before sold it with my K-x to get the money to buy my K-5. I can't find one used at $200 or it might have been an option. It still runs $400 new and my limit is pretty much $200 even. The DA L versions of the 55-300 are being offered for $200 on the marketplace right now. Have you looked into these, or is there some other reason you don't want a used DA L?

08-02-2013, 07:44 PM	#9
ChrisTrevino Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ecorse, MI Photos: Gallery Posts: 123 Original Poster	I never look at the marketplace because I don't have PayPal, don't even have a Bank Account. I did find some 55-300 on Amazon for $250 though. Either way it's $50 over my available funds and I have no income coming anytime soon. Amazon.com: Pentax - SMC-P DA -L 55-300/4-5.8 ED Telephoto Zoom Lens For Digital SLRs (58mm): Camera & Photo I never said I didn't want a used lens, every lens I own is used including my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and my Pentax M 50mm f/1.4 I was mainly looking at the 2 I suggested because A they were cheaper than the 55-300, B they are new and come with warranties and C they have the macro feature.

08-03-2013, 01:01 AM	#10
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Originally posted by ChrisTrevino I never look at the marketplace because I don't have PayPal, don't even have a Bank Account. Sorry I've got no advance for you, but I would like you to know that you can use PayPal with credit cards and gift cards. I don't believe they require you to have a bank account. FYI. I think you can find PayPal gift cards in gift card kiosks at brick and mortar stores like Target and supermarkets.