The 70-300 is large, but that extra 5cm + the lens hood really makes it look like a spy lens walking around town haha I will likely redo this test when there can be more ambient light however, the dust particles are must clearer on the 70-300 in my opinion (we are all being a little paranoid at this point, complaining about sharpness at a dust particle level, but oh well)Īnyways, I thought id love the Sigma and it may still prove to be the lens I keep for bird watching etc, but the massive size difference isn't very assuring when the IQ doesn't seem noticeably better so far (Ill definitely test this more, this is just first impressions!) I walk around with my camera attached to my belt, and I worry people will think I'm a stalker or something with this Sigma on my waist.
(70-300 on the left) Sony cropped in 2:1, Sigma 1:1 In this image I simply chose the sharpest of the lot for comparison so lighting is slightly different. Some images I had shone a light on the diorama, others not. I have to say, the 70-300 looks sharper to me. All images shot wide open, at 640 ISO, 1/14 SS. This was just a quick test, but I did spend time lining them up and adjusting the focus manually. I did a quick test indoors (since it gets dark at like 6pm now here in Canada), and I took a half dozen images of a highly detailed diorama I have had a long time. The 70-300 has kind of gained a bad reputation for not being sharp or any good at the price point it is new (which is why I was able to pick it up used for 1000$ CAD, 1650+tax retail) Now having done my research, just about everything on the internet will say that the 100-400 is clearly sharper than the 70-300, and at less money too. (the 70-300 with the lens hood on is the same length as the Sigma with lens hood off) It is roughly 5cm longer than the 70-300, and similar width when you have the lens hood reversed. While I have to say, it is quite a premium feeling, it is my first lens this large and I am not certain I like it.
I recently picked up the Sigma 100-400mm lens that was remade for mirrorless cameras.