Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

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Doug McLachlan
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p.1 #1 · Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend has a sony alpha (don't remember which one) and is looking to expand what she has beyond the kit lens. She likes to take macro photos, so I was thinking of grabbing the Sigma 70-300 APO DG MACRO.

Do people consider this to still be a good value lens? I'm a little concerned that it may be a bit long for taking pictures indoors - but I'm not familiar with any sony lenses!

Thanks for input!

Dec 07, 2008 at 03:41 PM

Edward Castro
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p.1 #2 · Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

Why not just get her a dedicated macro lens? Maybe it will get her really hooked on it (from what I've heard, it does).

Dec 07, 2008 at 04:27 PM

mawz
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p.1 #3 · Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

The 70-300 APO's OK for the money. It's too long for general use indoors, but semi-usable for macro indoors if you've got lots of light (and I do mean lots. Macro mode is between 200mm and 300mm and wide open there is essentially f5.6. So you need to be able to get 1/125 at f5.6 [f8 effective at 1:2] even with stabilization) and a fair bit of room (working distance is measured in feet even at 1:2).

If she likes Macro's, she'd probably be better off with a real macro. The Sigma 50/2.8's a good and cheap place to start.

Dec 07, 2008 at 04:28 PM

debuggerus
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p.1 #4 · Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

There is a big beercan on ebay for ~$200 now ... it's a very good zoom.

Ebay Item number: 140287829683

Dec 09, 2008 at 01:48 AM

CKrueger
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p.1 #5 · Cheap Zoom/Macro for Sony!

Shooting macro with the 70-300 is doable, but sometimes tough due to the very long working distance. If you've ever shot with a very long telephoto and had problems finding your subject, that's what shooting macro with the 70-300 is like.

Still, it's a great lens overall. For $200 you get a decent telephoto for landscape (AF is poor for moving subjects) and a usable 1:2 macro. That's quite a deal, IMHO. If your girlfriend wants to shoot macro and macro only, I'd go for a dedicated macro lens. If she might also like to shoot "long" telephoto, and/or doesn't want to spend much money, the 70-300 is a great compromise lens.

Here's a few photos with my Canon-mount Sigma 70-300:

Not great, but much better than going without!

Dec 09, 2008 at 04:22 PM


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