sigma 70-300 for nature & hobby style at DVinfo.net

Dennis Stevens · March 11th, 2011, 11:24 AM

I use my 7D for shooting video 99% of the time, but I do a lot of casual photography just to get used to the camera and try different things.

Recently I started to get into nature photography just as a hobby. My longest lens is the 25mm-138mm that came with the camera. I was thinking of getting the sigma 70-300.

I see it on B&H for 169. I guess for that price, I can't go too wrong - the photography is just a hobby, I can't see spending a lot on a really pro lens at this point. Reading the reviews on Amazon and B&H, the pros tend to pooh-pooh this lens, hobbyists seem to love it. Sounds perfect for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm just answering my own question, but I wonder if that makes sense to people? Any other lenses in that price range you'd recommend over this?

Kin Lau · March 11th, 2011, 01:24 PM

The Sigma APO Macro 70-300 is fine... just don't go for the cheaper non APO lens.

I've gone thru a few lenses of this type and I have much longer and faster lenses now, but they are good bang for the buck.

The biggest problem I found, was the AF speed. You'll just have to be patient, get the shutter speeds up to the 1/500 or 1/1000 range to eliminate camera shake.

Have fun, and start saving for the 400/5.6L or 300/4IS... you'll eventually want it :)

John Wiley · March 11th, 2011, 10:55 PM

These lenses are acceptable as long as you use them appropriately - shooting outdoors in bright sunlight will give you great photos but shooting inside a concert hall will be a different story.

Dennis Stevens · March 12th, 2011, 09:08 AM

Thanks, yeah, that's what I would use it for. I have some pretty fast prime lenses I use low-light situations. This sigma lens would be for a nice weekend, drive to a park or walk around town.

March 11th, 2011, 11:24 AM	#1
Dennis Stevens Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 425	sigma 70-300 for nature & hobby style I use my 7D for shooting video 99% of the time, but I do a lot of casual photography just to get used to the camera and try different things. Recently I started to get into nature photography just as a hobby. My longest lens is the 25mm-138mm that came with the camera. I was thinking of getting the sigma 70-300. I see it on B&H for 169. I guess for that price, I can't go too wrong - the photography is just a hobby, I can't see spending a lot on a really pro lens at this point. Reading the reviews on Amazon and B&H, the pros tend to pooh-pooh this lens, hobbyists seem to love it. Sounds perfect for what I'm trying to do. I guess I'm just answering my own question, but I wonder if that makes sense to people? Any other lenses in that price range you'd recommend over this?

March 11th, 2011, 01:24 PM	#2
Kin Lau Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 385	Re: sigma 70-300 for nature & hobby style The Sigma APO Macro 70-300 is fine... just don't go for the cheaper non APO lens. I've gone thru a few lenses of this type and I have much longer and faster lenses now, but they are good bang for the buck. The biggest problem I found, was the AF speed. You'll just have to be patient, get the shutter speeds up to the 1/500 or 1/1000 range to eliminate camera shake. Have fun, and start saving for the 400/5.6L or 300/4IS... you'll eventually want it :)

March 11th, 2011, 10:55 PM	#3
John Wiley Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 1,155	Re: sigma 70-300 for nature & hobby style These lenses are acceptable as long as you use them appropriately - shooting outdoors in bright sunlight will give you great photos but shooting inside a concert hall will be a different story.

March 12th, 2011, 09:08 AM	#4
Dennis Stevens Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 425	Re: sigma 70-300 for nature & hobby style Thanks, yeah, that's what I would use it for. I have some pretty fast prime lenses I use low-light situations. This sigma lens would be for a nice weekend, drive to a park or walk around town.