 Dianne Gill |
Need help comparing digital lenses I have a Canon Rebel XT digital camera. I'm shopping for a tele zoom lens. Which do you think is a better lens? The Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, which is known for its image stabilizer or the SIGMA 70-300 macro super Pro lens? The Pro lens is brand new. I'm told the Pro lens is better because it's made for a digital camera and it's smaller and lighter so it doesn't need an image stabilizer. The prices are the same. Got any tips? Dianne
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Jon Close |
The Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro is the current model. The DG designation is for revised lens coatings to help prevent ghosting/flare with digital cameras. The prior version was named APO Macro Super. Either is as sharp or sharper than the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM, at least on a test bench or tripod. The IS feature can give as good or better hand-held results. The EF 75-300 IS usually sells for about 2x the price of the Sigma 70-300 APO (~$440 v. $220). If you are finding them at the same price, you are either getting a super deal on the 75-300 IS, or getting ripped off on the Sigma. The 75-300 IS has recently been replaced by a much improved EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM, so the older lens may be selling at a larger discount.
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Jon Close |
P.S. Canon has many lenses with similar names that can be confusing. There is a non-IS version, the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 USM III that sells for around $200, and a non-IS non-USM model the EF 75-300 f/4-5.6 III that sells for about $160. There are also 2 new EF 70-300 lenses:
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Dianne Gill |
Thanks for your feedback. Here's where my confusion lies. I ordered the EF 75-300f/4-5.6 IS USM for $349 at an online camera store. (Good price.) They asked me why aren't you buying the SIGMA 70-300 f/4-5.6 DL APO Macro Super "Pro" lens? It sells for $579 but it's on sale and has a rebate. I searched the web and couldn't find the "Pro" lens, just the model you mentioned that goes for $220. When I told them I couldn't find the "Pro" anywhere on the net they said it was too new for other stores to carry it. I'm thinking I should stick to my first choice the EF 75-300 IS USM. I'm also getting the feeling they might want to rip me off. Have you ever heard of the Super "Pro" lens? Di
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Jon Close |
I haven't heard of a "Super Pro" version of the Sigma. Per Sigma's website (Japan and USA), the latest versions are the lesser "70-300 f/4-5.6 DG Macro" (formerly the "DL Macro Super") and the better "70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro" (formerly APO Macro Super). There is no "DL APO Macro Pro" model. What store are you dealing with? Have you checked their reputation at resellerratings.com? I once fell for a bait-and-switch: called a retailer (who will remain nameless) to order a Canon lens and they offered a Sigma lens as an alternative. I went with the Sigma, and was happy with the lens. However, I hadn't done my research and didn't know that the going rate for that Sigma was much less than I paid. >:-(
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Dianne Gill |
Thanks Jon, I'm thinking this is a bait-and-switch. I'm going to check out the web site you mentioned. And I'm definetly going to stick with the Canon lens. I might have to go to another store, so far the Canon is "back ordered." Di
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Wayne L |
I had a Sigma lens for an older EOS that worked fine and still does on that camera. However on the EOS Di Reb it will only work wide open and will not stop down. Sigma says they are aware of the problem and it was a design error on their part. "Keep in mind that the Canon lens work on the older EOS cams and the latest ones." Sigma said they would upgrade it for me. For what was a Lg $$$$ amount to me seeing that it was their error that caused the problem. I don't think I should have to pay anything for an upgrade. If I had bought Canon lens I wouldn't. So keep in mind that if you upgrade cameras your Sigma lens may not make the trip. I will never buy another Sigma
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Andrea Tuft |
Definately be careful. I bought a flash from a company and I called to confirm and they talked me into a different flash that they said was a PRO. But later I found out I totally got played. There wasn't such thing as a pro version. They had me on the spot and they sounded like they knew what they were talking about. I ended up playing $140 dollars more than it was worth.
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John G. Clifford Jr |
Here's some more info: • The Canon lens has IS (image stabilization). The Sigma lens does not. This is not important at 70mm, but very important at 300mm with a middlin' max aperture (f/5.6) and resultant slow shutter speed. A big plus for the Canon; you will be able to handhold it at lower shutter speeds and possibly get sharper pictures. • According to each manufacturer's MTF charts, the Sigma 70-300/f4.5-5.6 APO DG Macro is sharper than the Canon... about 12% to 15% sharper at 70mm and just a little sharper at 300mm. I dunno which one I'd buy. I'd most likely go to a local camera shop and try both lenses on my camera, taking identical shots with identical focal lengths, apertures, and shutter speeds (with IS turned off on the Canon) to see which one gave the more pleasing photos. I'd shoot at f/4.5, f/5.6, and f/8 for comparisons. Sigma makes very good lenses, and so does Canon. Neither one of these lenses is a pro-level lens. You might want to check at some more places to see if the prices being quoted are in-line.
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