Sigma 28-300 ..Help

[Mr.J]

Hello everybody, i am a real newbie to the digital camera world and I have been hanging around for a while reading other posts and since i purchased my new S2 yesterday i thought that you guys could give me some advice. My first lens was going to be the Nikon 28-105, however the salesman talked me into a Sigma 28-300 F3.5-6.3. What do you think? I will be shooting mostly indoors with a Multiblitz 200 2 light set up. The salesman was saying that i wouldn't lose any sharpness with this lens, Is he full of it? I do want some versatility, and don't have a budget for a bunch of different lenses. I know that a different lens other than these two may be a better option, however, the photographer that is teaching me uses the 28-105 f3.5-4.5 for the same set up. Please help, i have 7 days to decide if i keep this lens.

[sandman]

Mr J

Most of my pics were taken with the 28-300 lense. no complaints look at my posts in the photo threads. i'll enclose a pic that was taken at full zoom at 300mm, and hand held.. it is not one i would submit to this forum , but it does show the capabilitys of the lense

I have just got (yesterday) the new nikkor 24-120 VR lense so i will be trying it out weekend .

I ,in my limited expereance with digital S.L.R's have not found any problems with this as a general all purpose lense.

As i said would not show this pic normally ,handheld at 300 mm through wire mesh netting at over 100 yards away.

Happy shooting
Sandman

[sandman]

One thing i forgot to mention is the fact that it creeps down if you wear it around your neck, so you have to keep readjusting the zoom

And it,s a heavy combination , i'm 6.1 and weigh around 15 stone(200lbs) and have spent most of my life in the constuction industry. but after a day out shooting i know it .Add a flash onto it and you'll find you have neck muscles like van damn.

[Swampy]

I've got no experience with that lense, but I do have two sigma lenses, a 24-70mm and a 50-500mm. I am more than happy with the quality of the glass and shots that I take with these two lenses. I will have to agree with Sandman though, having this as your only lens is going to make you hate taking pictures. I know that to get good pictures, I need equipment that can do it, so I put up with the S2's size, I have to, or I won't get the shot, however, if I had to put up with the S2 and a large heavy lens ALL the time, I wouldn't use it. I'd tire of it quickly.

I would seriously plan on getting two lenses, maybe get the 28-300 now and save up for a more compact lense such as the 24-70 or the Nikon 24-120 VR. You'll be much happier with a lighter lens and, if you're not using a tripod, you'll be steadier with a lighter lens.

Just an opinion.

[sandman]

Yeh.. swampy makes a lot of sense about two lenses ,also try the nikon 1.8 50mm , it's cheap and good.
Why would you want the 300 mm end of the zoom for indoor work , a 17-35 wide angle ,or prime would do you better for interior shots , for portraits ,a 60mm .remember the x 1.5 that the CCD adds to all lenses.
Hope you make the right decision , good lenses aint cheap.

Happy shooting
Sandman

[Mr.J]

Thanks for the help. As i don't want the 300mm for indoor, just for some occasional fun pictures, i am going to return the 28-300, and start with the Nikon 28-105 and go from there.

[sandman]

Mr J

I think you have made the right choice, i had a 28-105 on my 90x and its a nice light little lense. sold it with all my other trannie gear , except the 28-300.

Have fun, do what most of us do, and save up for different lenses. as you need them, and you will. ...Soon your gadget bag will have so much in it ,you won't be able to get the camera in.

Happy shooting
Sandman