THSCC Forums

Lots of folks are selling the Canon Digital Rebel camersa with "Sigma" brand lenses. Obviously they are a discount brand, but are they any good.

I don't *think* I need any image stabilization mumbo jumbo (in the analog days of yore I took a lot of good pictures without it).

Comments?

I know I have an old Vivitar lens for my old Canon. It seems to work just fine.

Scott

Scott,

You can find several reviews on sigma lenses here. It seems like some are better than others. http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php?cat=46

I haven't tried any sigma lenses myself (currently use 2 canon and 1 tamron lens), but I've heard good things about the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX APO IF HSM Lens which I'm currently looking at buying to replace my tamron.

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STS - 91 Honda Civic Si
S04 - 00 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS

http://www.kestrelracing.com

I think I may have used a Sigma lens at some point, but I don't own any. The Sigma f/2.8 lenses with HSM (their equivalent of Canon's USM) focusing are supposed to be good, but sometimes you have to get them reworked to function with the latest Canon camera bodies.

I've bought and returned a couple of Tokina lenses in the past because they were crap (extremely bad optics). I wouldn't recommend any of their stuff.

There may be a couple of Tamron lenses that are okay, but the most popular choices (such as 28-200) aren't among them.

You get what you pay for...

I'm with Kevin on this one. You're better off getting less camera and better lenses.

Not sure what you're looking for in a lens, but a great budget Canon lens is the 28-105. Technically considered a consumer grade it's remarkably sharp for the price. However it might only be available used.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

Just keep in mind that in order to have a wide angle lens on the DigiRebel, you need a lens that goes down to less than 22mm

There's a Canon 18-55mm lens with USM (this is NOT the one that comes in the kit) that supposedly performs very well optically and is only around $150 or so. If you find the right deal & get one with a Sigma lens, you could always get a Canon lens later if you're unhappy with the Sigma... and you could even trade in the Sigma lens at Peace Camera or Southeastern Camera & get store credit.

Most of our shooting requires more zoom than wide angle, so I'd be looking at something in the range of 200-300mm.

Scott

Canon 100-300mm USM or 75-300mm USM (non-IS) would work great. Get it used, and pay less than $200 (not exactly sure how much; I haven't been looking at prices lately).

On Amazon a new Canon brand 75-300 without image stabilization runs $180. With image stabilization it is closer to $415.

You can save $30 and get one without the "USM."

Scott

for $30, you want the USM lens.

Si. Es verdad.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

Interesting review of a few players:

http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html

Scott,

Just to be clear, you are talking about the f4 Canon lens right? If you are doing a price comparison to something like the f2.8 that Jeff mentioned above, I assume you are aware that with the faster lens (like the f2.8 ) you will pay much more.

Richard

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Hmm, maybe I will have to think about the Canon 75-300/4-5.6 IS USM III.

_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I haven't kept up with the current lenses since I'm pretty happy with my current stable, but having said that, I am a huge fan of Canon's IS.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

Drop the "IS" and it's under $200. Anyone know if the "IS" is the only difference, or do the image stabilization models also have different optics in them?

I'm looking at some sub $1000 kits for the Rebel XT that might tempt me to forgo the original Digital Rebel (300D) and just get the new one.

Here's an example:

http://www.digitalfotoclub.com/sc/from- ... 7276&rf=dt

By the time I buy a 300D kit, spare batteries, lens, flash card, etc. I'm right up to $1000 anyhow.

Scott