what is better...

[ashleygiles88]

I have a Sony Alpha 290....

im looking at getting a 70-300mm lens and have come to a stumbling block...

which of these is better...

Sigma 70-300 DL Zoom lens.....OR
Sigma 70-300 Macro Zoom lens




Cheers,


Ashley

 

[Faldrax]

There are a number of variations on the Sigma 70-300 in Sony mount (particularly when you include second hand).

The better ones are those with 'APO' in the name - this indicates a better quality glass has been used for some elements in the lens.

The current model is the '70-300 f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro' - and can be recognised by a thin red ring round the lens (at the front)

The older versions of the APO have a fold coloured ring.

It is worth paying the extra to get an APO if you have the option, as the price is not significantly more.

PS: General resource for Sony lenses : http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

 

[mark1616]

I would personally go for the Tamron 70-300mm, it performs just slightly better than the Sigma options, ever the APO. Well, that's what I've experienced in the past when using this range of lens, I had 2 of each (one Sony/Konica Minolta mount and then again on Canon). The Tamron was always the one I kept.