A300, What lens Sony 100-300 or Sigma 120-400 (1 Viewer)

alan_rymer

Well-known member

• Oct 9, 2009

• #1

I have an A300 for 11 months which I am pleased with. But thinking of moving to A700 now prices have dropped.
My len's include:
Sigma APO 400 F5.6 with a bust Autofocus which I like.
Sigma APO 70-300 with a "Sony destroyed" AF which I no longer use.
Minolta APO 100-300
A couple of Minolta 35-70MM which I use for Digiscoping, one is a back up.
Minolta 28-80 Macro
Sigma APO 1.4 TC Which fits the Sigma 400
Kenko 300 1.4 TC which I bought today and doesn't fit ( connect to ) my minolta APO 100-300 ( the surround is oval )

I'm currently looking at one of two lens:
Sony 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G SSM £499
Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM £599
What should I get? Or other suggestions, for no more than the sigma!

 

Last edited: Oct 9, 2009

carlj

Well-known member

• Oct 9, 2009

• #2

Difficult Alan.

The 70-300mm G is far better iq, response, etc, but may be found short. If you can find one, maybe a Tamron 200-500mm second hand would be worth considering? I've got one for my A300/200 and got it for £475, used probably once, from Mifsuds...

Carl

 

Leicaman

Well-known member

• Oct 10, 2009

• #3

I use the 70-300 G and the 200-500mm Tamron with an A700. For reach the Tamron at 500mm can't be beaten. Neither is incredibly fast at autofocus but I've had excellent results from both lenses.

 

alan_rymer

Well-known member

• Oct 10, 2009

• #4

Thanks CarlJ & Leicaman for the respones. Food for thought!

 

P

pjohnson

Birdwatcher

• Oct 12, 2009

• #5

I have the Tamron 200-500mm lens on a Sony A350 and it's a fantastic birding lens.

 

onlybill

Well-known member

• Oct 31, 2009

• #6

Hi. I shoot the Sony A700, and have used the Tamron 200-500mm quite extensively for bird photography, however after acquiring the Sony 70-400G, even though a shorter lens, I have yet to use the Tamron again. Sony's image detail, even in low light conditions, blows away the Tamron! The Tamron produced unacceptably soft images in all but high-contrast direct light, pretty much the worst lighting for high caliber bird photography. regards~onlybill

 

birdsgalway

Tom Cuffe

• Nov 1, 2009

• #7

Onlybill
I use the same combo and haven't looked back. Great combination
ATB
Tom

 

P

pjohnson

Birdwatcher

• Nov 3, 2009

• #8

To be fair though the Sony 70-400G is around £1250 and the Tamron 200-500mm is around £800. I've had some really good results with the Tamron in all lighting conditions. I agree that 'G'-series glass is superior although I'm sure I have read that at the full 400mm even the 'G'-series can be a little soft at the edges (?).

 

alan_rymer

Well-known member

• Nov 13, 2009

• #9

Just thought I'd let you know. I eventually went for a used Tamron 200-500 from BF's own Tilly H. Just waiting for some decent weather to give it a fair try out.
When we met up at Otmoor on Monday for me to give it a quick onceover and tryout, the weather was dull and misty and the birds reticent to say the least. But I did get some beautiful shots of some Rose hips at different zooms!.

I also splashed out on a new a700 (body only) from Jessops the week before so I am on a new and exciting learning curve!

 

Last edited: Nov 13, 2009

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pjohnson

Birdwatcher

• Nov 17, 2009

• #10

Wow! Good luck!! I hope you enjoy using the lens as much as I do with mine!!