Sigma AF 70-300mm f4-f5.6 APO DG Macro

Advantages: Decent quality on a budget but only for APS-C digital SLR's.
Disadvantages: Really quite poor when used with full-frame digital SLR's.

...of good quality. I don't know if it is simply a variation between samples but my own APO version appeared to have somewhat 'smoother' zooming than my friend's non APO one. As usual for Sigma, a decent lens hood (barrel type) and a soft case are included in the package. The lens sports a 58mm filter thread, so filters are relatively inexpensive to purchase. Being of more 'ordinary' status in the Sigma hierarchy, this AF 70-300mm f/4-f/5.6 DG APO Macro, has none of the more elaborate 'bells and whistles' evident on the more expensive EX range. What does this mean? Well, you don't get Sigma's superb HSM (Hypersonic Motor) AF (auto-focusing) for near silent and very fast AF, resulting in a somewhat more unsophisticated, noisy (although not overly so) and slightly 'harsh' action. It still works well however! Also, you get no FTM (full time manual...

davecham 29.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of Sigma telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm F/4.0-5.6

Canon Lens

Advantages: Lightweight
Disadvantages: None

...This is a good quality lens that offers good value for money. It's a great lens for any canon enthusiast and incorporates plenty of features that I would highly recommend. This really is a wonderful piece of kit that should go well with many accessories because it really looks good. After using this product for a few months I have not so far come up against any reliability issues but only time will tell. I therefore would recommend the product. However, always think carefully as to whether you actually really need something before you buy it. We buy so many things nowadays that we don't really need. Product Features * Product Description: Canon EF telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm * Lens System: Telephoto zoom lens * Mounting Type: Canon EF * Lens Aperture: F/4.0-5.6 * Focal Length: 70 mm - 300 mm...

Nazuku 13.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Canon EF zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm F/4.0-5.6

Great new breed of lens works with most new DSLRs

Advantages: Works with Canon, Nikon, Minolta & Pentax DSLRs.
Disadvantages: A bit slower on AF than other lenses.

...a surprisingly wide selection of depth of field views. Focus range is excellent too at a minimum of only 49cm, with a macro ratio of 1:2.9 - this has enabled me to continue with one of my other favourite subjects, close-up work (insects, bugs, flowers etc). One other nice feature is the Zoom Lock, which does just that - it locks the zoom part of the barrel so that the lens doesn?t start poking out under its own weight (not that mine does anyway). Good if you need to keep it in a small bag as I do. Just another comfort feature, and quite useful. Length is a very compact 84mm (even smaller than the Nikon 70-300mm) and total weight is a very light 420gms (14 ounces). The construction comprises 15 elements in 13 groups, with a 62mm filter thread rounding off the mechanical attributes. With fittings for Canon, Nikon, Minolta and Pentax, this is...

g8ina 25.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Tamron 28-300mm Ultra Zoom Lens XR

Nikkor 18-200mm VR zoom lens user review

Advantages: great zoom range, good build quality, image stabilization, universal
Disadvantages: maximum apertures only average, high price

...At first, I just needed a universal lens for a two-week travel across Europe that would cover the full range from normal wide-angle to longish tele. I had the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, but did not want to take them to the trip because of all the dirt and dust that would get into the camera body when changing them all the time. Since I did not have an option to rent or borrow some lens, I had to buy the Nikkor 18-200VR. Originally I planned on selling the lens again after I return from the trip but ended up keeping it and using it extensively. The price was high (around 750? when I bought it a half year ago) but all in all the lens is well worth it. I am using this lens on a Nikon D40 body, the two make a almost perfectly balanced pair. The lens is a bit heavier than the body thus when carried on a strap, the lens is always pointing...

matipp 23.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of Nikon Zoom-Nikkor zoom lens - 18 mm - 200 mm F/3.5-5.6

Why 75-300mm?

Advantages: Great focusing length
Disadvantages: Price

...Why to chose Canon EF 75-300mm IS lens? Because is long, heavy and expensive. But seriously, the lens is suitable to use exclusively with Canon EOS range of cameras, SLR as well as DSLR (Digital SLR). It works with all new digital SLR including 20D and 30D, so if you use a compact Canon camera the lens is not for you! Canon tends to sell the SLR (or DSLR) cameras as a set including a lens. Usually the lenses included in the package aren't best quality, don't get me wrong, there isn't anything wrong with them but they are just basic lenses deprived of newest gizmos like IS, USB and so on? Currently Canon produces seven different lines of lenses to suite any job and pocket: • Fixed Focal Lenses; • Zoom Lenses; • Macro Lenses; • Diffractive Optical Lenses; • Image Stabilisation Lenses; • Tilt...

malekowie 05.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Canon EF zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm F/4.0-5.6

The nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR, top-of-the-line

Advantages: Beautiful bokeh, tack-sharp, vibration reduction, easy to use, many useful accessories
Disadvantages: heavy, expensive, slight vignetting, prone to flaring

...their version, the so-called "vibration reduction", was the 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED. An interesting lens to be sure, but Nikon owners really started to get excited at the announcement of the AF-S 70-200 F2.8 VR. This lens, a successor of a highly regarded line of professional lenses, turned out to be spectacular: the image stabila? sorry, the vibration reduction was possibly even more effective than Canon's and the image quality? Well, I am going to discuss that right now! ---Image quality--- The 70-200 VR is a tack-sharp lens, as you would expect of a lens in this price class. It is not even in the same ballpark as normal consumer lenses: the colours are vibrant, the details sharp, and the bokeh (the appearance of parts of the picture that our out of focus) is stunning. The lens is particularly famous for the silky smooth rendering of out...

hetvuurtje 24.03.2009 · Read review
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Review of Nikon Zoom-Nikkor telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 200 mm F/2.8

A must have lens for any photographer

Advantages: A lens for all photographers
Disadvantages: none

...This is a great lens and will suite most amateur photographers needs. The detail and sharpness even at full zoom is fantastic even when hand held. The lens itself is light but feels very ruggedly built and is constructed of high quality glass which you would normally only find in more expensive lenses. Tamron have produced a lens that is not going to break the bank to buy and is not going to give you aches and pains carrying it around all day. I took some shots of a jackdaw in the distance and the sharpness of the image it captured was far more than i was expecting. It comes complete with a close up setting which although some would say it is not true macro it does give you the option to get a close up shot. Which is more than good enough for what i need. I have taken this in my camera bag for an all day nature walk i had planed...

falcon1959 12.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Tamron A17 - telephoto zoom lens - 70 mm - 300 mm F/4.0-5.6

Great affordable lens, but make sure you get it with VR!

Advantages: Excellent lens with many features. VR gives sharp shots even at long focal lengths. Smooth focus.
Disadvantages: For the price, none that I can think of. I am happy that I brought one.

...If you are looking for a starter telephoto lens for your Nikon dSLR then look no further. This 55-200mm lens is ideal for wildlife or sports shots (equivalent to 90-300mm zoom because of 1.5x conversion factor), or other outdoor activities. Now the version I have is the AF-S IF-ED VR one, which basically means it has a quiet auto focus motor built in, internal focusing (meaning the thread you attach filters to will not twist), superior optics and vibration reduction. This makes it especially feature packed for its price, and VR is very helpful at the longer focal lengths. Basically with VR you can use this lens hand-held and at long focal lengths, but still get sharp shots. You can also shoot in dimmer light as you can get away with a slower shutter speed. This makes it a perfect lens for a beginner or enthusiast. Lens optics are...

RossUK1 22.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Nikon Zoom-Nikkor telephoto zoom lens - 55 mm - 200 mm F/4.0-5.6

Great 2nd Lens

Advantages: Fast Focus, well built, reliable excellent performance all round
Disadvantages: Heavy, you will need a tripod

...As you may be gathering, I have been investing in camera stuff recently... This is the 2nd lens I bought for my camera which is excellent. It takes very good and sharp pictures all the way through and is not prone to glare, possibly due to the very large hood it comes with! The operation of the lens is very simple and fits on both the Sony a-mount as well as the Konica Minolta mount. Zooming is done through a large in the middle and if you are focusing manually it is through a front ring. Again there is no distance indicator for the focus ring but that is only useful for nerds as you will not be able to focus and measure distance at the same time unless you want to get a tape out to check! The longest zoom is at 300mm. Now bear in mind that digital SLR cameras have a "crop" factor in the majority of cases and the Sony a-100 has...

jtamagnini 21.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Sony SAL75300 - telephoto zoom lens - 75 mm - 300 mm F/4.5-5.6

Canon 75-300mm USM III - A good all-round lens but not perfect

Advantages: Speed, Appearance, Build quality, Price
Disadvantages: Picture quality at long focal distances

...I have read several positive reviews about the Canon 75-300mm USM III lens but I don't share other people's enthusiasm because it is not nearly as sharp as I would expect from a Canon lens. Of course, compared to the Canon L Series lenses, this is an incredibly inexpensive item and, in its defence, I do find that my Canon EOS 50D, with it's jam-packed 15mp APS-C sensor, is very difficult to marry up with a lense to get the most out of it (unless you are prepared to spend thousands). At the close end of the focal range, the picture is crisp and sharp but unfortunately this tails off quite noticeably as the lens is extended (as does the auto-focus accuracy) and I have even taken to focusing the lens manually when it is at full extent, using the camera's magnified live-view to ensure crisp results. It is also a little slow...

rabidbadger 01.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 USM MK III