Rebel Lens options.

[Michael_Lambert]

Hello Everyone.

Alright so my delema..

I just bought the rebel, and well getting engaged soon so i dont have money to spend on high end lens that i need or want..

What i shoot is mixed, Family stuff, Wildlife and some macro mostly of my aquarium as most of you have seen..

I can not afford a grand for a Macro lens and then another 5-6 hundred for a decent lens for the family and wildlife..

I was suggest to pick up this lens..

Sigma 300mm With super Macro

I was playing with it in the store and it seems very cool for a All around lens for what i need..

Just wondering if anyone is uses it ?

Thanks

Michael.

[Travis]

I don't think you'll be happy with that. I own the "APO" version, which is better, and I use it only in specialized situations. Not too sharp, color reproduction is pretty flat.

The only way it works as a macro lens is when it's locked down to 300mm, and then you're not looking at any better magnification than your 18-55 EF-S lens (without a set of extension tubes and diopter, which will be another $225US total).

Also, beware the one you linked to won't work on your Canon camera- that's a minolta version, you need the Canon "EOS" mount version.

I highly recommend you take a good, hard look at the EF28-135MM IS. I love this lens, and coupled with a 500D diopter gets almost as much magnification as my 100mm macro. For about $400US it's a superb deal.

I hate to see people in this situation- they drop more than they have budgeted on that shiny DSLR and don't have the money to get good lenses. Remember, a good DSLR with a bad lens is basically a bad camera.

T

[Michael_Lambert]

Oh i understand the Mount.. They have the canon version in there store..

See, when i bought the camera i had the intentions of getting the macro lens.. But things have come up and im stuck with only My tax return ($400 Canadian) To get something..

They had mentioned at the store about the colors alittle off, But figured that photoshop should help with that.. ??

[reefrunner]

I would agree that the "APO" version (which I have) is the better lens, and it's not a great lens, but it's not a bad lens. I agree it lacks contrast, but what do you expect for a sub 200 dollar lens. I have not found this lens to be "not sharp", certainly not as sharp as an L lens, but it's not soft. Personally I think it will probably serve your needs, I got mine knowing it's limitations, but having spent my money on other better lenses I wanted to get to 300mm and bought it as a stop gap until I can afford a better lens like the canon 100-400 4.5-5.6L or the sigma 80-400 which is supposed to be as good or better than the canon L glass at 500 bucks cheaper.

Here are a few I've taken with that lens.







And I fooled around with the macro function one day.

[Michael_Lambert]

Originally Posted by reefrunner

but having spent my money on other better lenses

Humm,

Whats the difference with the APO? and do you still have it? wanting to sell it?

[reefrunner]

Sorry, the better quality lenses I bought were at shorter focal lengths. The APO lenses resist chromatic abberation better and are generaly reguarded as sharper. Basically better glass and better build quality.