Steve'sDigicams

HTFC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:17 PM

Hi all,

At present I have a Nikon D50 with a Tamron 50-300mm lens.

My brother-in-law can get hold of a sigma 100-300mm f4 EX APO lens for around £10 (or so he says!)

I like to take pictures of my local football team and would like to know if this lens would be better then my Tamron!

I am a little wary of my brother-in-law as he is a wheeler dealer so would rather ask the experts!

Cheers

JimC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:31 PM

Are you sure that price is right? The latest version of it sells for over $1300 new now (it's price has gone up a bit this year). It's a fast focusing lens with HSM (Hypersonic Motor Focusing) and it's quite sharp for a zoom (much higher quality compared to your Tamron 70-300mm). Here's a listing for one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...4_0_EX_DG.html

I'd be *very* skeptical that someone could get one for £10 if it's really a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM lens in decent condition. I'd check it out to make sure it actually works (and it's for Nikon AF cameras).

Mark1616 · Jul 14, 2009, 6:40 PM

There has to be something wrong with it as it is a lovely lens for daylight sports!!

I'm thinking it is either hot, or damaged..... if you are really lucky it is just that someone has no clue what they are selling, if that is the case I would personally let them know and offer a better price as you will still be getting a bargain.

HTFC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:42 PM

Hi JimC,

Yes, skeptical is a very good word to use when it comes to my B-I-L - I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him!

he has sent me this picture which has been taken of the item!

This is exactly the reason why I would rather get your advice because the difference between £10 and £$1000 is rather a lot!

Mark1616 · Jul 14, 2009, 6:45 PM

That certainly is the 100-300mm f4.

HTFC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:46 PM

Oh - I was hoping you would say it was something totally different! Worth getting then?

Mark1616 · Jul 14, 2009, 6:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTFC

Oh - I was hoping you would say it was something totally different! Worth getting then?

Yes, as long as it hasn't been bounced a few times, it focuses correctly etc.

JimC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:48 PM

It's too bad some of the optical elements are cracked from the hard fall to concrete, huh? :-) Teasing of course. But, I would be very skeptical of anyone offering to sell that lens for that price if they claim it's in decent condition (good optics, good mechanical condition, AF works, etc.).

There are a lot of scam artists around. If a price looks too good to be true....

HTFC · Jul 14, 2009, 6:49 PM

Yes indeed! I quite agree!

HTFC · Jul 16, 2009, 1:50 AM

Well as a finish to the story, I told my B-I-L that I would buy the lens for £10 only to be told that the lad now wanted £600 for it as he realised his "mistake". Way out of my price league so as they also say.......

Easy come, Easy go!

Jul 14, 2009, 6:17 PM	#1
HTFC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harrogate Posts: 24	Sigma 100-300 f4 EX APO lens advice! Hi all, At present I have a Nikon D50 with a Tamron 50-300mm lens. My brother-in-law can get hold of a sigma 100-300mm f4 EX APO lens for around £10 (or so he says!) I like to take pictures of my local football team and would like to know if this lens would be better then my Tamron! I am a little wary of my brother-in-law as he is a wheeler dealer so would rather ask the experts! Cheers

Jul 14, 2009, 6:42 PM	#4
HTFC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harrogate Posts: 24	Hi JimC, Yes, skeptical is a very good word to use when it comes to my B-I-L - I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him! he has sent me this picture which has been taken of the item! This is exactly the reason why I would rather get your advice because the difference between £10 and £$1000 is rather a lot! Attached Images

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Jul 14, 2009, 6:31 PM	#2
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 15,159	Are you sure that price is right? The latest version of it sells for over $1300 new now (it's price has gone up a bit this year). It's a fast focusing lens with HSM (Hypersonic Motor Focusing) and it's quite sharp for a zoom (much higher quality compared to your Tamron 70-300mm). Here's a listing for one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...4_0_EX_DG.html I'd be very skeptical that someone could get one for £10 if it's really a Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM lens in decent condition. I'd check it out to make sure it actually works (and it's for Nikon AF cameras).

Jul 14, 2009, 6:40 PM	#3
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,346	There has to be something wrong with it as it is a lovely lens for daylight sports!! I'm thinking it is either hot, or damaged..... if you are really lucky it is just that someone has no clue what they are selling, if that is the case I would personally let them know and offer a better price as you will still be getting a bargain.

Jul 14, 2009, 6:45 PM	#5
Mark1616 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,346	That certainly is the 100-300mm f4.

Jul 14, 2009, 6:46 PM	#6
HTFC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harrogate Posts: 24	Oh - I was hoping you would say it was something totally different! Worth getting then?

Jul 14, 2009, 6:48 PM	#8
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 15,159	It's too bad some of the optical elements are cracked from the hard fall to concrete, huh? :-) Teasing of course. But, I would be very skeptical of anyone offering to sell that lens for that price if they claim it's in decent condition (good optics, good mechanical condition, AF works, etc.). There are a lot of scam artists around. If a price looks too good to be true....

Jul 14, 2009, 6:49 PM	#9
HTFC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harrogate Posts: 24	Yes indeed! I quite agree!

Jul 16, 2009, 1:50 AM	#10
HTFC Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Harrogate Posts: 24	Well as a finish to the story, I told my B-I-L that I would buy the lens for £10 only to be told that the lad now wanted £600 for it as he realised his "mistake". Way out of my price league so as they also say....... Easy come, Easy go!