Sigma 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Super APO Zoom Lens

A good value alternative to the Nikon or Canon 70-300 lenses. This lens outperforms the old nikon 70-300 G lens. It does not have vibration reduction/image stabilisation like some of the nikon or canon alternatives, but at the price you can't really complain about that. You just have to make sure you keep the shutter speed up, and have good 'long lens technique' using a tripod, monopod, beanbag etc. It is pretty sharp even wide open, so makes a great cheap lens with reasonable reach. Focuses usefully close too, especially the macro version, so is great for chasing butterlies and dragonflies about. The focus isn't particularly fast, and it ...  Read the complete review

The Sigma 70-300mm lens sold as a less expensive alternative to the Cannon EF lenses and retailing at about half the price of its counterpart (When I bought mine). In general it is a solid lens a little on the heavy side and a little sticky with the zoom. Unlike the EF lenses the Sigma's do not have image stabilizers incorporated, hence the lighter cost, so you will have to find other ways of dealing with camera shake (tripods for example). The Sigma also seems to get a little confused with the auto focus and will pull in and out of focus until it gives up, switching to manual focus is not too much of a pain for me, but if you are counting on a good auto focus feature, ...  Read the complete review