Sigma 100-300f4 versus nikon vr 70-300 f4.5-5.6

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zeitghost

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Yvonne
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After a pretty disappointing day at Cotswold wildlife park yesterday. I have consigned my sigma 70-210mm f4.5-5.6D to the scrap heap - it seems to be focussing about 3 inches behind the actual focal point when I looked at the pics at home and I noticed that the focus "ring" was not retracting fully when focus was at its closest point - seems to be sticking.

I am on the lookout for a nikon 80-200 f2.8 atm but I also want a slightly longer zoom for stuff like the cotswold wildlife park. (did think of the nikon 300 f4 prime but its quite a bit of cash and want the zoom flexibility at the moment until i rebuild my lens collection)

The two lenses I have seen mentioned a lot are the sigma 100-300 f4 and the nikon vr 70-300 f4.5-5.6.

There is a bit of a price difference between them but i can hunt on the 2nd hand market. Does anyone have any thoughts over which is the best lens - I am hunting for sharpness, and something that can focus pretty quickly. (my 70-210 was just spinning around yesterday and that wasnt even in low light).
 
I bought the Sigma 100-300 f4 about 6 months ago with a 1.4 TC because it will still AF and the TC does not affect IQ
I managed to get the lens new for £599 from Jessops website due to a pricing error which they agreed to honour....but thats another story!!
Unfortunately, I have not done much testing with it due to a bad Winter but this is one from the other day.
http://www.pbase.com/dav4184/image/122719690
Also it has received good reviews -
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/328-sigma-af-100-300mm-f4-ex-hsm-apo-lab-test-report--review

hope this helps
Dave
 
I used a 100-300 f4 for some time. Its fast, sharp and consistent. The 1.4x reduces image quality by a fair margin and only really comes back at around f/10. Great lens by itself though.
 
I cannot comment on the Sigma but I have the 70-300 VR and I would not want to put a TC on it. At 300mm you need to stop down to about f/9 or f/10 to get the best out of it and it is OK there as long as you don't need to crop too much. Its big advantage over the Sigma is the VR which works very well.
 
DonnaM said:
I cannot comment on the Sigma but I have the 70-300 VR and I would not want to put a TC on it. At 300mm you need to stop down to about f/9 or f/10 to get the best out of it and it is OK there as long as you don't need to crop too much. Its big advantage over the Sigma is the VR which works very well.
Click to expand...

VR or f4 i know which i would choose.
 
Two leagues really...the Nikon 70-300 is a great 'walkabout' lens but the Sigma 100-300 goes up to the serious amateur/semi-pro level of glass. So, go for the Sigma!
 
aye looks like i'll be going for the sigma ... thanks all. Was just a bit wary as the sigma i currently have is a bit carp (to say the least) and once bitten twice shy so they say. However that lens was bought for about £100 new so its probably apples and oranges. I also may as well buy something decent now otherwise I'll only be looking to change again in 6 months
 
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