Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro Review

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro

General information

This is a zoom lens manufactured by Sigma and the model was launched 2005.
The lens belongs to the category  telephoto zoom lenses, a telephoto lens where you have the possibility to zoom in and out.

The lens has macro-properties but is unable to reproduce things in their real size (otherwise called '1:1'). You should therefor consider taking the term 'macro' with a pinch of salt and if the macro-possibilities you are looking for you should perhaps look at other options.

Compatibility, autofocus and focal length

The lens is available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, but there are two different versions of this lens (one for each brand and mount) so it is important that you ask for and choose the right version when bying the lens.

This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon and Nikon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.

Here it is the only Canon version of the lens that has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. The possibility to use autofocus (AF) is available for Nikon cameras but only if the camera itself has a built-in autofocus (AF) motor. Some cheaper and budget camera models from Nikon lacks a built-in autofocus motor, and we at Lensora appreciate autofocus, so in the list of compatible cameras we have chosen to display only the cameras that you can get autofocus with.

The lens has a focal length of 70-300 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.

A positive thing is that this lens has a versitale zoom range, where the difference between 'maximum zoomed out' to 'maximum zoomed in' increases the lens versatility since you as a photographer easily can compose your picture without moving yourself physically.

Lens brightness and image stabilizer

The lens brightness and aperture value is f/4-5,6.

This lens is not considered to have a good aperture value and brightness. It is something to consider before you purchase the lens. To compensate for this you might, while photographing in less favorable light conditions, be forced to either use higher ISO settings (which generates more noise in the image), slower shutter speeds (which may give some motion blur) or flash lightning. Read more at the link below what lens brightness means to you as a photographer.

One thing to consider is that the lens has a variable brightness, which means that depending on how much you are zooming the lens will have a different maximum aperture value. At 70 mm the lens brightness is f/4 and at 300 mm the brightness is f/5,6. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.

The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds. 

Filter and Lens Hood

The lens has a traditional filter thread on the front and its measuring 58 mm which also the filter you will use must have. If you use for example an UV filter can be a cheap insurance against scratches and dust.

If you buy this lens it will come with a lens hood, whose model name is "LH635".

Different versions of the lens

This lens has been replaced by a newer version. Prior to purchasing the lens, please compare the various editions.

Pictures (product and sample images)

In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.

Besides looking at product images it is also of interest to see pictures taken with this specific lens. This can give you a hint of what kind of images this lens can achieve, what the focal length will be like etc.

Things to consider before buying

Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.

  • The price (more info)
  • An impressive focal range
  • Works on all sensor types
  • A lens hood is included
  • No built-in autofocus motor (the Nikon version)
  • No built-in image stabilizer
  • Poor aperture value with its f/5,6
  • A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
  • The lens is called 'Macro' but can not reproduce at a scale of 1:1
  • This lens has been replaced by a newer version
  • The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust

Best deals on Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro

Make sure to check out our price information page for best offers on this lens.

Reviews

sefotosidan.se (reviews by users)
usephotozine.com
usephotozine.com
usslrlensreview.com

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Pictures (product and sample images)

In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.

Besides looking at product images it is also of interest to see pictures taken with this specific lens. This can give you a hint of what kind of images this lens can achieve, what the focal length will be like etc.

Different versions of this lens

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro has released different versions of this lens. Please make sure that you study the differences before buying.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG Macro (2005) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro (2005) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG OS (2010) Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG OS

Alternatives to Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro for Canon photographers

Below you will find four interesting alternatives to Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro. Make sure to compare these (and other) options before deciding which lens you will buy.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5,6 IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5,6 IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5,6 L IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5,6 L IS USM
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4,5-5,6 DO IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f/4,5-5,6 DO IS USM

Alternatives to Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro for Nikon photographers

Below you will find four interesting alternatives to Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5,6 DG APO Macro. Make sure to compare these (and other) options before deciding which lens you will buy.

Nikon AF 80-400mm f/4,5-5,6 D VR Nikon AF 80-400mm f/4,5-5,6 D VR
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2,8 G IF-ED VR II Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2,8 G IF-ED VR II
Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4,5-5,6 G IF-ED VR Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4,5-5,6 G IF-ED VR
Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4,5-5,6 G ED VR Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4,5-5,6 G ED VR

Popular searches for this lens

If you want do dig deeper and look for more information about this lens you can be prepared that other photographers name and search for this lens in a lot of different ways. Here are a few of the most popular search strings:

  • Sigma macro
  • Sigma 70-300 mm f 4-5,6
  • 70-300 mm Sigma
  • 70-300 mm Sigma
  • Sigma 70-300 mm f 4-5,6
  • Sigma 4-5,6 70-300 mm
  • Sigma 70-300 Macro
  • Sigma f 4-5,6 70-300
  • Sigma 70-300 mm
  • Sigma 70-300 mm macro
  • Sigma f 4-5,6 70 300
Because of this we also created a special page for this.