In this day and age, it's easy to write off any 'slow' telephoto zoom lens with an f/4-5.6 maximum aperture that doesn't have optical stabilisation. However, the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro still packs some impressive features at the price.

Coming from Sigma's DG range, this 70-300mm optic is suitable for film and digital sensors up to 35mm in size

Reasonable performance throughout the range

Some sharpness fall off in the corners

This lens is one of two virtually identical offerings from Sigma in the extremely popular 70-300 category in which almost all manufacturers have at least one contender. Although still in the budget sector, this one, the APO version, is the better of the two offerings.

Excellent optical performance for price; Good close focus ability (1:2; Light enough to carry all day

Long extension when close focussed and zoomed; Front element and extension rotates during focussing

In this day and age, it's easy to write off any 'slow' telephoto zoom lens with an f/4-5.6 maximum aperture that doesn't have optical stabilisation. However, the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro still packs some impressive features at the price.

This lens is one of two virtually identical offerings from Sigma in the extremely popular 70-300 category in which almost all manufacturers have at least one contender. Although still in the budget sector, this one, the APO version, is the better of the two offerings.

Excellent optical performance for price; Good close focus ability (1:2; Light enough to carry all day

Long extension when close focussed and zoomed; Front element and extension rotates during focussing

Throughout modern times the Sigma 70/75-300mm APO variants were always positioned as a supposedly superior alternative to the base offerings of the genuine manufacturers in this lens group. The latest incarnation is the Sigma AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO macro.

It's a good lens from the price, but not terribly sharp upon closer inspection. This is one of Sigma's older pre-Global Vision designs. However, it's a good starter telephoto zoom lens for a student or beginning photographer.

Overall, this is one of the best budget telephoto zoom lens that is in production. I bought this to compliment my Canon 350D, and it has treated me well. The alternatives all leave much to be wanted.

#1 Price; Without a doubt this is the star shining upon this lens; At less than $200, this lens provides fantastic results, #2 Macro Mode; With a 1:2 macro mode, this is not true (1:1) macro, but in this price range, there is nothing near this lens.

#1 Focusing, a) Speed; The focusing motor tends to be a little sluggish, especially when at the end of the focal range, b) Accuracy; I am fairly certain that this ties in with the speed of the focusing, but I find that probably 1 in 10 shots is slightly misfocused, c) Sound.

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Durable; Good Color Value; Powerful

A little heavy; A little slow

The first 50 images I shot with this lens were overly soft. As I worked more with the lens the images improved dramatically. I typically start in manual mode and begin testing based upon what I know about light and exposure (which I'm learning slowly over time).

versatile; excellent macros; pleasant images

soft in some cases; slow optically