Devill finds his equipment inadequate and needs something bigger.

koffiejunkie said:
It's not fantastic, but considering the price it's pretty good value for money.
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I just want a lense with a bit more "zoom" and something that is a clear upgrade from the kit lense.

Think this lens is worth it or should I save for another?
 
Devill said:
I just want a lense with a bit more "zoom" and something that is a clear upgrade from the kit lense.

Think this lens is worth it or should I save for another?
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One lens, two lenses.

The lens is not the sharpest on the long end, but it's not bad at all. I'm just used to a Canon L lens that's razor sharp no matter what the settings.

The Sigma is pretty sharp on the shorter end. At the far end it's more than good enough (full size image):

 
devill, the sigma 70-300/4-5.6 apo macro dg for a nikon d fit does auto focus. i have one, got it when i got my camera. it will run you around about R2599. sigma has a cheap 70-300 non apo version which also provides auto focus for the nikon d series and it will run you around R1799 but it is not as good as the apo version so i would save my money for the apo version.
i think the 70-300 is a good starter lens, it lets you get some zoom time in and it also introduces you to the world of macro. mind you it is not a real macro lens, it only magnifies to 1.2 but you get a feel of what macro photography is about.
they are easy to find second hand as well as many people buy this lens when they first purchase a dslr and then sell it when they start to move on to a bigger lens. try http://www.kamerza.co.za they have a lot of second hand stuff at their shop and they are pretty nice so you may want to ask what lens they would advise you to get on your budget. by the way their website is not the best in the world, it is better to get their number and shop address and then go in for a visit instead of looking at the website which is out dated.
also try http://www.nikonians.org/ they have a huge lens forum for nikon users and a lot of people there use sigma, tamron and tonika so you will get a lot of information about a 3rd party lens on that site.
 
The first lens I got when I outgrew the kit 18-55 was the Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Macro. Great range - in fact until I got my 150-500 it was the longest lens I owned - and when I'm looking for a walkabout lens for the day its the one I grab.
 
koffiejunkie said:
One lens, two lenses.

The lens is not the sharpest on the long end, but it's not bad at all. I'm just used to a Canon L lens that's razor sharp no matter what the settings.

The Sigma is pretty sharp on the shorter end. At the far end it's more than good enough (full size image):

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Thank you :D

mercurial said:
Sorry to be a grammar Nazi Devill, but it's spelt lens and not lense :)
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koffiejunkie said:
I guess not being subtle is the next logical step :)
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LENSE! :D

:p:p

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/lense.html

Although the variant spelling “lense” is listed in some dictionaries, the standard spelling for those little disks that focus light is “lens.”
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Don't be a smart alec ;)

Thanks to binkybozo for the advice, I think I will do as you recommend.
 
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Ok new question: I want a nice "zoom" lens with high clarity. Again I can not afford R10k for a lens as I am a student. If it could AF it would be nice but it is not 100% important.
 
Devill : I've just ordered myself a sigma 70-300 APO DG lens... cost R2800, and I'm sure they make one for the Nikon mount.... maybe have a look at that one, its a decent price
 
Tamron may be in the same price range, but it'll be about the same quality/value for money....
 
ToxicBunny said:
Tamron may be in the same price range, but it'll be about the same quality/value for money....
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In general are sigmas better "value for money" / lenses than the Tamrons?

Or are they pretty much the same thing, or maybe they each specialise into something?
 
Well honestly I don't have enough experience with both to say either way...

But my guess is they are generally about the same since their pricing is usually fairly similar.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Well honestly I don't have enough experience with both to say either way...

But my guess is they are generally about the same since their pricing is usually fairly similar.
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Aye I have heard that price is generally a good indicator of qaulity as far as lenses are concerned.

thanks for the advice and time TB :)
 
No problems Devill :)

I'm still learning myself so always pays to help, cos I may have a question myself at some point...
 
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