Canon vs Sigma lenses

[theshortstack]

Afternoon all - I've got a quick noobie question about lenses.

I've been thinking about buying a Canon 70-300mm lens but having been speaking to a few people wh have suggested that a similar Sigma lens not only offers better value but actually has better quality too.

I'd be interested to get some feedback from you guys on here as to wheth that's true or not.

Cheers,

[wave01]

first which version of the canon 70-300 and also which version of the sigma

[theshortstack]

Hi Wave - thanks for the reply.

I'm looking at the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM Lens and a Sigma equivalent - I haven't looked at a specific one yet, but I'm guessing it would be something like Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG OS Optical Stabilised Lens

Cheers,

[wavemachine]

Well I owned the Canon 70-300 IS and didn't rate it at all in the end I went for the Tamron SP AF 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD which I have found to be a much better lens, I cannot comment on the Sigma but I have heard that it is also better than the Canon.

[wave01]

its a difficult question to answer do you need the 300 end. if you just need a good all round zoom and you are on a budget then i would go for the efs55-250is if you have an aps-c it really scores well in the image stakes. if you want quality then you need get an 'L" lens.

[cosmicma]

i agree with wave01 if you want a budget zoom thats has very good image quality for the price go with the canon 55 - 250 iv'e heard a lot of good things about this lens

i can't comment on the sigma 70 - 300mm os lens but i can comment on the sigma 70 - 300mm apo dg macro variation which is fine to 200mm then softens off quite dramatically

on the other hand if you are willing to go second hand for not much more than the new price of the sigma 70 = 300mm OS variation you can pick up a canon 70 - 200mm F4 L ( non is ) which beats all of the lenses mentioned hands down and to gain that extra reach you could always get a canon 1.4x teleconverter in the future and still have better image quality

if the choice was mine today it would be a second hand canon 70 - 200mm F4 L no question
iv'e been down the sigma and cheaper canon route and they pale in comparison owning in the past the sigma 70 - 300mm apo dg macro and a canon 70 - 210mm F4 macro

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by wave01

its a difficult question to answer do you need the 300 end. if you just need a good all round zoom and you are on a budget then i would go for the efs55-250is if you have an aps-c it really scores well in the image stakes. if you want quality then you need get an 'L" lens.

Yep I agree I have seen a number of reviews where the 55-250 has thrashed the Canon 70-300 IS it has a a more up to date image stabalisation system and is a lot cheaper as well.

I can also vouch for the 70-200 F4L it has great image quality and a great all round lens.