About to buy a lens, advice

[Briggsy]

Another topic by me..

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-sigma-70-300mm-f4-5-6-macro-dg-lens-sony-minolta-fit/p1011620

I have upped my budget and decided on this. I was wondering if anyone has this lens? Even better, anyone that has this lens and a sony A330? Wondered what it's like image wise and if it takes some decent photos. Thanks

For instance, I've just read that there are reports this lens can't handle the torque of the sony motor and it burns out the AF in the lens. Anyone heard about this? Should I go for a tamron 70-300 instead?

After reading into it, I've decided on a Tamron instead. A lot of reports of the sigma breaking on sony cameras. So does anyone have the tamron 70-300?

 

[evilonion]

That makes no sense as the focusing motor is in the lens itself.
I have a tamron 18-200 on my A200 and they are fine... focusing is a little slow at times, dont know if its the same with the sigma but its a sub £200 lens so cant expect too much.

All the images are ok, where i have found these lenses to struggle though is in low light... with the tamron, it hunts a bit when the light is starting to go but on a bright sunny day its a great lens.

I would assume that all lenses around this price bracket will be the same... on a budget i cant see that you could get much better unless you go secondhand, but then there isnt a big market for 2nd hand sony at the moment.

 

[postcardcv]

For instance, I've just read that there are reports this lens can't handle the torque of the sony motor and it burns out the AF in the lens. Anyone heard about this? Should I go for a tamron 70-300 instead?

This was a serious issue with early Sony fit copies of this lens, but as I understand it Sigma have addressed the issue by changing the materials that the relevant part is made of. If you are buying a lens new and can check that it is new stock you shouldn't have any issues, and if you do I'm sure it would be a warranty fix.

 

[billybob99]

Ive got the sigma 70-300 and have had no issues, i think as was said it was the earlier versions that had the trouble with stripping gears Jessops did have the tamron's on offer a while back, If you go with the sigma the APO version is the one to get and they do get a bit soft at 250mm+
Ps The focus motor is in the body not the lens apart from the SAM lenses