Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro or Tamron 70-300mm F4/5.6 DI LD Macro lens

[keeps21]

Hey guys

I'm after a 70-300mm telephoto / macro lens for my Nikon D80.

I'm looking at either a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro(£149) or a Tamron 70-300mm F4/5.6 DI LD Macro(£169)

Which would you reccomend?

Also can anyone tell me if the APO version of the sigma is worth the extra £50(£199) over the non APO version?

Thanks very much

 

[raider2727]

The word macro on these only suggestes you can focus a little closer and neither offer 1.1 macro.
i would choose the Sigma as i have never had an issue with any sigma lens.

 

[keeps21]

The word macro on these only suggestes you can focus a little closer and neither offer 1.1 macro.
i would choose the Sigma as i have never had an issue with any sigma lens.

Would you say the APO version (prevent's purple fringing apparently?) is worth the extra £50?

 

[jomike]

Would you say the APO version (prevent's purple fringing apparently?) is worth the extra £50?

Yes, definitely the APO version. I have the old screwdrive version on my D90 and for a budget lens it performs well, you do have to stop down to about f8 for best results though.

As said, not true macro, only 1:2 (1/2 life size), but handy for bigger bugs like butterflies, dragonflies etc.

Bit cheaper here too if you do not mind buying from Hong Kong:

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24_28&products_id=275

 

[Patch]

I have the Tamron and am happy with it, look around for better prices though, I have seen them [ new ] for much less than Jessops, I`m sure they had them over xmas for £129 [ not a promotion/sale either ]

Its £121.59 here at the moment :
http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog...black-colour&gclid=CIHWiZjx058CFUsA4wodXxKpcA

I did get some fringing initially but I put a UV filter on and as I learn more about settings for sky/light situations I`m pretty much sorted on that and on the few occasions I still get a fringe my software sorts it well enough fwiw [ I use Paintshop pro ].
HTH

No idea if these will help at all as I`m a beginner so I don`t get the best shots as it is and this was just a snap which I was`nt specifically set up for, the plane just happened to go over which I was taking dog agility shots but this was taken with the Tamron on my D40, without a UV filter as I did`nt have one at the time, the first version is `as taken` [ no pp, just sized for posting here and a little bit of crop ],

the second is with minor pp which removed the small amount of purple fringe on the tail wheel and lower placed wing