Photoclubalpha

I'm a newbie very happy user of an a200 with the 18mm-70mm kit lens.
For my 2nd (and hopefully last ) lens, Im looking to add a 70mm-300mm.
I've found Sony, Tamron and Sigma have one in my price range.
Are there any others and is tthere a 1st choice of the 3 I mention?
Thanks for the good help.
taxeye in Canada

In the same boat. These seem to be the most popular lenses that I can find and have read reviews on.

I was set on the Sigma 70-300mm APO but have been informed buy several retailers that the 'APO' version is no longer available for the sony mount. Shame as it apears to be a cracking lens. All you can get is the basic sigma 70-300.

Looks like I'll be purchacing the sony SAL75300 instead, seems also have great review.

Andy (Also in Canada)

Andy,
Nice to see a fellow Canadian on stream and I really appreciate your comments.
You'll know that tax season is over in Canada and I was finally able to get to my store, Henry's, and try the Sony and the "standard' Sigma for real.
I chose the standard Sigma for a couple of reasons.
The Sigma has macro capabilty and a hood - the Sony does not.
The Sigma was priced $70 lower than the Sony.
We talked about the APO version and my salesperson (a young, award winning photographer) said the price for the APO was $90 higher. She said the Tiffen Haze-1 filter (cost $30.) do the job.
We both took shots with my camera from 70 through 300mm with both lenses. There didn't seem to be any quality differential. The macro shots with the Sigma were a great bonus.
The Sigma actually seemed smoother and quieter than the Sony on my a200.
If I wasn't already sold , the Canadian distributor for Sigma, Gentec International, offers a 5 year warranty on the lens.
I walked out with the Sigma in my bag looking forward to shooting a lot of great pictures with it!!!
Regards,
Taxeye in Canada

First, I want to caution you not to confuse the 70-300 with the 75-300. Besides the obvious focal length gap you'll have (between 70 and 75), the 70-300 produces far superior image quality. You might also like to look for a Minolta 70-210 "Beercan" for around $200-250.
Second, The 18-70 kit lens is awful, and needs to be discontinued. I challenge you to consider the SAL 18-250 to take its place and give you the longer telephoto end you're looking for.

The Sigma 70-300 APO seems to be the pick of the bunch (going by user reviews and the photos that I have seen), but the only problem with it is it tends too be a bit fragile on a camera with a powerful focus motor (also going by user reports) I'd say if you want very good and cheap optics and you don't mind using MF, the lens would last indefinitely, alternately it might be quite ok on slow focus mode (apparently available on some cameras), I'm not too sure if the A200 has it though.
B&H currently have stock of the APO version it's $100 US dearer than the non APO version.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/9266 ... +to+Z/pn/2
Greg

KevinBarrett is right, you should not confuse 75-300 with 70-300 G SSM. The latter is a superb lens and a must have IMHO.
As for the 75-300, though it lacks a macro capability (if you need macro then buy a macro lens) it does have a hood (included in the box).
If price is not an issue then go for the Sony 70-300 G SSM.

Actually I don't think the SAL 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 G SSM ever even got onto the OP's shopping list, it's $800 US, and three or four times the price of the lenses I think he was considering, besides B&H have it listed as out of stock ( I think it's in short supply ) yes guys I agree, I know which I'd prefer if price was no object, and it actually was available.

SAL 75-300mm f4.5-5.6 AF $229 US (in stock)

Tamron 75-300mm f4-5.6 LD Macro $129 US (in stock)

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro $149 US (in stock)

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DI LD Macro $159 US (out of stock)

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG Macro $249 US (in stock)
Greg

I believe the A200 can also rip the focus gear out of that Sigma lens. in the many DPR threads about the sigma there were a few A200 me too type post tacked on in there. I think you see it less often because the A200 users aren't buying lenses like the A700 users do.

It sure is good to have a few more Canadians on here. it would be nice to organize a group photography thing someday.

I own Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro. Nice lens. Color reproduction is much nicer than 18-70 kit lens, sharpnes seems to be better too. However there is some strong CA when working on tele length (I have non-APO version). Macro mode is great and gives clear, sharp images, a must have when you are forced to shoot from distance. Works nice with my a200, however I'll definitely replace it in future with beercan (for its image quality) and Tamron 18-250 (great focal range when you don't have time to switch lenses).

Wow!!
I never thought that since my May 2 post that there were be so much additional action on this topic.
As for an update on using my Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro with my Sony a200- so far, so great!!
I love shooting candid faces and this lens gives me more than I ever expected time and time again. The macro capability is something I'm using more and more with great results.
The concerns about the focus motor were duly noted. The fact that the Canadian Distributor offered a full 5 year warranty on the lens certainly helped ease my mind.
If only I had lots of available dollars, I would have looked at a whole different set up from camera on up.
However, I believe that, for me, I've used my limited funding to the very best advantage to create a kit that gives me maximum flexibility.
It's so great to be part of a forum like this and I thank you all for helping to educate this Canadian novice user geezer!!!
Taxeye in Canada

It seems, taxeye, that I resurrected a thread that was already ancient history. I should have checked the date...as well as your post immediately before my own! I'm glad you've returned to the thread with follow-up input though.