At 70mm this lens produces images of good resolution from the widest aperture right down to f/16, with the edges gradually improving as the lens is stopped down. The best quality images at 70mm are produced between f/8 and f/11. The lens seems to be coated well, tire rubber from burnouts comes off well without any issues although i recommend using 2 cloths. Distortion is very well controlled at 70mm producing 0.07% pincushion distortion, which is an almost negligible amount. At 200mm the amount of pincushion distortion rises to 2.62%, which may be noticeable in some circumstances, but more often than not, will not cause any issues. Sigma is a company that has some great products. This lens is a good example of their work. With its low cost and decent performance this lens is great for budget conscious amateurs to “prosumers”. It does not have the focus speed of the higher priced lenses but that it is forgivable. The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens will works with APC-C to full frame cameras and perform admirably. Please Support The Phoblographer

It has long been a popular choice amongst budget-conscious photographers looking to cover this popular range. This latest version does away with the macro functionality of previous versions in favour of an optical stabilisation system that promises to provide sharper shots at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than normal. Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled at the shorter end of the zoom range and will not pose any problems. Beyond 135mm, things go a little pear-shaped though, with chromatic aberration increasing, but not to an overly disturbing level. Imatest recorded a CA area of 0.7 pixel-widths at f/5.6 and 300mm, which shouldn't cause too many issues for most.

Used in Macro mode, this lens shines as this shot of a Southern Hawker Dragonfly in flight shows. Taken on a Canon 1D with the lens set to manual focus. 1/800sec at f/8 and ISO500 i would recomend this lens to anyone looking at a good entry level lens but there a just a couple of tiny little niggles.

The extended focus, providing the 1:2 macro facility, is especially useful and performed well giving good definition at close quarters. The new multi-coating, which gives the lens it’s DG (optimised for digital) classification, helps a design that is good to start with, that extra bit of help in controlling artefacts. CA is well controlled and distortion reasonably well managed, although there is a slight pincushion effect at the 300mm end. (Easily cured in software on digital images)

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Sharpness is better at the short end of the range 70-150mm. If there is enough light to keep the aperture in the f8 - f11 range, then images are relatively sharp (for the price of the lens). They do not compare to my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 but that lens is in a whole different category. After using this lens again after 2 years and now able to use it correctly, I can say that it has to be one of my favorite lenses ever. Its not perfect by any means but when you use it for events, wildlife and even portraits it works so well. Images will be at the bottom for reference. the Sigma 70-300 fits right in and does the job i need it to do-when the light is good and you can shoot F8 or better @1000sec this lens is a great lens for budding photographers on a budget I was not expecting much from it, as I used the older one mainly with my Film Cameras, due to the A ring and FF capable. My 55-300 was the better replacement for the K-5/K-3 etc etc.

This is the least expensive of the Sigma 70-300mm autofocus zoom lenses. It has a macro mode offering 0.5x magnification. Its range is useful for portraiture, amateur sports, and trips to the zoo.This is a very average lens overall , if you can find it cheap enough it might be worth trying . In good light , and no macro , it might serve your needs well enough , certainly worth a try if your on a budget . Overall. the Sigma 70-300mm OS is a good value alternative to the camera manufacturer's own offerings, providing decent enough resolution at a lower price point than independent equivalents with low distortion and decent enough resistance to flare and ghosting.

The Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG says it’s a Macro lens so why would you not use it? It’s fun during the summer time when flowers are abundant with provides perfect times to use the Macro feature. The Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG Macro handles these types of shots very well. It’s not the best, though in an indoor light box or product shot setting. There is just too much fumbling being up close, for me anyway. I used manual focus and auto and i just did not enjoy the lens in this scenario.On day 2 it was a Dog Day of summer and I was on a Photo walk in New York with the Sigma 70-300 f/4-5.6 DG Macro Despite not being the fastest of lenses, it is still usable in low light conditions. This five bar gate at the end of a country lane was taken at 1/80sec at f/8 and 70mm. ISO400. Canon 1D.