Which Telephoto to Buy?

kpfeifle · 03-01-2007, 06:53 AM

Hi All:

I will be purchasing a 70-300 telephoto very soon. Either the Sigma APO DG or the Tamron LD Di. The small difference in price between them does not bother me. This will be for my K100D. Conventional wisdom seems to be that the Tamron is sharper (especially at 300mm) but has more CA & PF then the Sigma. However I have seen quite a few nice shots from both (however all were resized for the web). Anybody want to tell me which one I should get...and why? Thanks!

kbrabble · 03-01-2007, 07:14 AM

I own the Sigma, the Wife owns the Tamron. Both are good lenses, and the Tamron MAY be a little sharper at 300mm, but not by much, and the sigma is a little sharper in the 70-135mm range. I personally like the look and build of the Sigma better, and usually recommend it over the Tamron. You should be happy with either one.

FotoPete · 03-01-2007, 07:19 AM

Personally I'd take the Sigma because it has better Macro (1:2) than the tamron. From the Sigma site, the MTF graphs look pretty good too.

Anyhow I wouldn't normally link to a Canon forum but one of their members did a shot to shot comparision of the sigma and tamron lenses you were considering.

Sigma 70-300 DG vs Tamron 70-300 - Canon Digital Photography Forums

(Note the guy did cite possible AF error in the later images but it gives you an idea what the two are capable of.)

kpfeifle · 03-01-2007, 08:08 AM

Thank you both! I had kind of made up my mind to go for the Sigma...this just pushes me to do it. Thanks again!

kpfeifle · 03-11-2007, 07:37 AM

The Sigma arrived a few days ago. It's a very nice lens. Build quality is very nice. Here a are few of my first pictures with it.

Alvin · 03-11-2007, 12:46 PM

Congrats with your purchase! You've gotten some really nice shots here!

03-01-2007, 06:53 AM	#1
kpfeifle Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 148	Which Telephoto to Buy? Hi All: I will be purchasing a 70-300 telephoto very soon. Either the Sigma APO DG or the Tamron LD Di. The small difference in price between them does not bother me. This will be for my K100D. Conventional wisdom seems to be that the Tamron is sharper (especially at 300mm) but has more CA & PF then the Sigma. However I have seen quite a few nice shots from both (however all were resized for the web). Anybody want to tell me which one I should get...and why? Thanks!

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03-01-2007, 07:14 AM	#2
kbrabble Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 181	I own the Sigma, the Wife owns the Tamron. Both are good lenses, and the Tamron MAY be a little sharper at 300mm, but not by much, and the sigma is a little sharper in the 70-135mm range. I personally like the look and build of the Sigma better, and usually recommend it over the Tamron. You should be happy with either one.

03-01-2007, 07:19 AM	#3
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Personally I'd take the Sigma because it has better Macro (1:2) than the tamron. From the Sigma site, the MTF graphs look pretty good too. Anyhow I wouldn't normally link to a Canon forum but one of their members did a shot to shot comparision of the sigma and tamron lenses you were considering. Sigma 70-300 DG vs Tamron 70-300 - Canon Digital Photography Forums (Note the guy did cite possible AF error in the later images but it gives you an idea what the two are capable of.)

03-01-2007, 08:08 AM	#4
kpfeifle Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 148 Original Poster	Thank you both! I had kind of made up my mind to go for the Sigma...this just pushes me to do it. Thanks again!

03-11-2007, 07:37 AM	#5
kpfeifle Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 148 Original Poster	The Sigma arrived a few days ago. It's a very nice lens. Build quality is very nice. Here a are few of my first pictures with it.

03-11-2007, 12:46 PM	#6
Alvin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,517	Congrats with your purchase! You've gotten some really nice shots here!