Sigma 70-300mm DG APO Macro vs Minolta AF 75-300mm New

[Dom1n8tr1x]

I currently use an old Minolta 75-300mm lens with my Sony Alpha DLSR. I'm thinking of getting a newer lens, something like the Sigma.

My question to those who have more experience and know how, is it worth getting the Sigma? Will I get better quality photos and is the Sigma a better lens for taking macro photos.

On a side note, anyone know where one can get good quality second hand Minolta lenses, I'm particularly looking for a macro lens, I just can't get myself to fork out R4000 plus for a Sony macro lens.

[Edduck]

Hi,

Well if budget was a non-issue I would give all 70-300mm lenses a skip (except the Canon L version and Sony G version...). My issue with this Sigma lenses is their useless old micromotor AF drive which is slow and the lens loves to hunt. And the upgrade from the Minolta to the Sigma is like going from a car with a 1.9TDi to a 2.0TDi... Same badge, same looks and slightly better performance.

I would look at the Tamron 70-300mm, silent autofocus http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._4_5_6_Di.html

Do you know the exact model name/number of the Minolta? There should be some or other comparison to the Sigma somewhere on the interwebz...

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely have a look at the Tamron. Like you said no use in upgrading to something that's only marginally better.

The Minolta looks like this one:

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=53

I believe it's the same one that's just re-branded and sold as a Sony.

[Edduck]

According to the reviews on Dyxum that lens has very good optical quality. The Sigma has OK to Very Good quality (depends on the lens) so it will not be an upgrade. The Tamron will only be an upgrade as it has the faster autofocus. Then there is the Sony G lens for ~R10000...

[Lukcydog]

I had the 70-300mm Sigma for 4 years. As Edduck said the lens motor is SLOW, dog SLOW and hunts extremely at close distances. Its quite hard on the battery, continuous use on my 350D chowed the battery in 45minutes. I have another Sigma 150mm F2.8 lens which is an incredible piece of glass, so I'm not brand biased. I have used the Canon 70-200mm F4 lens and it is in another class than the Sigma. In the end with lenses, you get what you pay for.

LD

[Dom1n8tr1x]

I totally forgot that my Sony Alpha has the AF motor inside the body (haven't used it in a while ) so I guess the Sigma could be a good alternative since I don't have to worry about the slow performance from the built in AF motor.

Focus is quite slow sometimes with the Minolta lens, but I mostly use manual focus with that lens so that's not much of a problem.

I will still go for the Tamron if I can get hold of one locally though.

[Edduck]

I totally forgot that my Sony Alpha has the AF motor inside the body (haven't used it in a while ) so I guess the Sigma could be a good alternative since I don't have to worry about the slow performance from the built in AF motor.

Focus is quite slow sometimes with the Minolta lens, but I mostly use manual focus with that lens so that's not much of a problem.

I will still go for the Tamron if I can get hold of one locally though.

Are you sure the Sigma works like that. They have built in AF motors I think. I am not that familiar with Sonys.... Anyway check this flickr thread http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_al...7618193971886/ for more indepth reviews.

[Dom1n8tr1x]

Are you sure the Sigma works like that. They have built in AF motors I think. I am not that familiar with Sonys.... Anyway check this flickr thread http://www.flickr.com/groups/sony_al...7618193971886/ for more indepth reviews.

Hmmm, I see that the Sigma has HSM but if it's made for Sony's A-mount then it must use the AF motor from the body. I'm not sure if my specific Sony is compatible with a lens that has an AF motor. Will have to look into that...

[Dom1n8tr1x]

I did a bit of reading and learned that my specific Sony model can use the newer Sony SAM lenses which uses a built in AF motor. This is definitely good to know since it widens my choice of lenses considerably.

This is the one thing that I love about Sony's, the ability to use old Minolta lenses (which in my opinion has better glass than the Sony lenses) as well as the fact that most newer Sony body's has backwards compatibility with older Sony and Minolta lenses.

I will hopefully be adding a new Tamron or Sigma lens to my kit. Thanks again to everyone for their help and input.