Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 or Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 or something else within $300 range?

Question

I want a zoom. Canon EF mount. I was looking at something a tad more expensive, then my bank statement came in.....:) 
I've heard folks having a good experience with the Sigma. Apparently for the price it's a good purchase. 

The Quantaray is a cheap! lens from Ritz (150 bucks), some people like it, some think it's trash. A soon to be doorstop.

Any opinions?
Other suggestions for a zoom in the 300 dollar range? 
This will be casual use glass for the most part, BUT I don't want a s&$! lens even when shooting for fun.

EDWIN · Accepted Answer

Sigma? Yes. Quantaray? No.

Look at Tamron as well. Their AF28-300mm f3.5/6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical [IF] Macro has Vibration Compensation which, IMO, is a major necessity in a lens with this focal range. Go to http://www.shutterbug.com and type 'tamron af28-300' in the Search box and you'll pull up a Test Report from the April 2008 issue. Its more than $300 but IMO a much better choice.

A lens of this zoom range should, IMO, have stabilization built in.

The problem I see with the Sigma is its slow - very slow. Losing 1 2/3 stops across the zoom range when shooting wide-open can cause you to lose a picture opportunity unless you increase the ISO to compensate since it does not have image stabilization.. To maintain the same shutter speed from f3.5 to f6.3 will require a 2 stop increase in ISO. So if you're shooting at ISO 200 and need the same shutter speed at 300mm as you get at 28mm, you'll have to shoot at ISO 800*. We all know that image quality suffers as we increase the ISO.

The aforementioned Tamron is just as slow but the Vibration Conpensation allows you to more easily shoot hand-held without increasing the ISO.

Bottom line? IMO you should save a little longer and buy the Tamron. I really believe you'll quickly become dissatisfied with the Sigma and end up selling it at a loss and then you'll be saving for the Tamron.

* Say you have to shoot wide-open, you're at 28mm and your shutter speed is 1/250 sec. Zoom out to 300mm and your shutter speed will drop to ~ 1/60 sec. (OK, that's a full 2 stop drop and the lens only loses 1 2/3 stops but you get the idea.)

? · Answer

I'm not so sure about the Sigma. I've read reviews on older lenses that say after a few years, a fog develops on the inside of the element. But don't worry, you can just clean it off after the element falls out. Yes, that was a problem listed under Sigma: The front element comes loose. I really do not care for Sigma anymore. The SD-14 is said to have a 14 mega pixel sensor, when it's really 4. The lenses are cheap and not very good. Really, I would only use the 30mm f1.4 or the 50-150mm f2.8. Even still, I've not heard much about these, except for a focusing issue with the 30mm and a contrast issue with the 50-150...You know what, why don't you just stay away from Sigma?

brandon | v · Answer

I would highly recommend you purchase the Sigma over the Quantaray. Hands down.

MacDaddy · Answer

Save your $ and get the Canon.  You'll be happier in the long run.

But don’t buy it at any of these rip-off scam sites that are owned by George Sabato:

www.bestpricecameras.com
www.photodynasty.com
www.beststopcamera.com
www.citywidedigital.com
www.eastcoastdistributor.com
www.hellocamera.com
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www.infinitiphoto.com
www.infinitycameras.com
www.jandkcameras.com
www.mraccessory.com
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Check out how many Better Business Bureau complaints there are (1000+).  He keeps changing names to avoid ripped-off customers and to trick new customers.

http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?id=12668&pid=44&page=0&FindStr=photodynasty.com&SearchBy=company&Address=&City=&Phone1=&Phone2=&Phone3=&MembersOnly=False

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Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 or Quantaray 70-300 mm DI f/4-5.6 or something else within $300 range?

4 Answers