Cheap telephoto: Tamron 70-300 versus Sigma 70-300

[Triumph]

I want ability for telephoto, but I do not want to spend the money right now on a Canon 70-200 f/4L or something similarly priced. Both the Sigma and Tamron below fit my budget and have the zoom range that I'm looking for.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro, $219 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...mm_f_4_5_6_APO_DG.html

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro, $189 at B&H
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...0mm_f_4_5_6_Di_LD.html

They're pretty much the exact same specs, both made for EF-S mounts, both should have the range and speed for what I want (daytime, outdoor long range shots), so why should I spring for more with the Sigma? Anyone have either of these lenses? I've heard that Sigma has some quality control issues, which tips my hat towards the Tamron. I would like to see some reviews directly comparing these two, but haven't been able to find any. Advice?

 

[dug777]

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html

 

[blurredvision]

I can't speak for the Tamron, but the Sigma 70-300 APO lens is definitely decent for the money. Make sure to get the APO version with the red ring around the tip of the barrel instead of the regular DG version without the red ring. It has better optics with the glass to minimize CA.

 

[pontifex]

i use a tamron 70-300. not sure if its the same one you listed though. works pretty well for me.

a lot of the Lake Tobias shots on my site were taken with the tamron 70-300.

 

[rudder]

Sent a PM, just picked up a canon 70-300IS and need to sell my sigma 70-300. The sigma is a decent lens for the price. I have never used the tamron 70-300, but I have also been satisfied with Tamron quality. My Tamron 28-75 produces some nice pictures that rival some more expensive canon glass in sharpness.

 

[Jawo]

Have you thought about Canon's 70-300? It seems to be quite similar to the ones you mention. I have had some trouble finding a sharp copy of the Tamron 17-50....

I love my Canon 70-300 IS USM...its not cheap at $550 new though.

 

[reitz]

I have the Tamron, sold by Ritz Camera as Quantaray. Save your money. It's nice to have a telephoto to carry with me, but the lense really isn't worth the $170 I paid for it.

Autofocus is painfully slow and very imprecise. I find myself often having to switch to manual to really get the shot in focus, and when focus is set at infinity, subjects far off in the distance still aren't quite sharp.

The macro mode is OK, but you're set so far back from the subject...I'd rather a shorter macro lens and just get closer to the subject.

My recommendation would be to wait until you have the money for the Canon. If you can't wait, I'd check out the Sigma simply because I already know that the Tamron is junk.

Edited to add: I don't know about the Sigma, but the Tamron is EF mount, not EF-S. It'll work with any recent Canon film SLR.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I have the Tamron, in Tamron badging, not in the Quantaray badging, and have found it to be quite a decent lens. Focus is indeed slower than with some other lenses, but out-doors it's adequate. I've found it to have excellent sharpness and resolution for its price range.

It's certainly not "junk". It's nowhere near my 70-200 f/2.8 Sigma EX, but it's also nowhere near the price of that. I believe that the "Quantaray" versions are not of identical quality to even the Tamron-branded versions.

ZV

 

[BornStarlet]

n/m

 

[BornStar]

I have the Tamron and it's a decent lens. The purple fringing is really bad but I can overlook it for the price I paid. I bought it because I needed a telephoto zoom fast and I didn't have much money to spend at the time. I expect in a few years I'll upgrade to the Canon 70-300 IS or some L glass but for now this works for me.

 

[Spineshank]

I thought Quantaray were Sigma parts that didnt make the Sigma standard.

 

[AndrewR]

I had an older Sigma 70-300 (different mount), and it was fair (paid $40 for it!). If you absolutely want the extra reach, go with the Sigma because of the APO -- most likely worth the extra cost.

Went to my camera's unofficial home on the web and found user reviews of the Sigma: Sigma reviews. It's for the Minolta/Sony mount, but it's the same lens. Bear in mind that Sigma can sometimes have varying build quality so check it out quickly to see if you have a good copy.

Personally, I have a 75-300 lens that I rarely use. I thought about selling it, but then I took some pictures that were sharp and looked good so I'm holding onto it.

 

[Triumph]

I ordered the Tamron from sigma4less.com (ironic!) for only $140 +s/h. I love that site, way cheaper than BH, buydig, amazon, etc. Unfortunately I'm still out of the country and won't get to try it out for another two weeks. I'll post shots once I get back home.