Would there be much difference between these 2 lenses?

[Fetchez la vache]

It's for an Olympus E-1

a) Sigma-55-200mm at about £90

b) Oly 70-300mm at Just under £290 elsewhere

As is obvious by the prices, I'm looking at the first rung of the zoom lens ladder, and currently finding it easier to justify the cheaper lens. I tried a different camera/lense switching between the 200/300mm settings and couldn't make out that much difference so was just wondering what I'm missing?

Any thoughts welcome, cheers

[mas99]

No idea but I've heard tha the oly 70-300 is actually made by sigma.
I think thatthere is a fair difference between 200 and 300, but I guess it depends on what you are looking to use the lens for.

You might also think abou the oly 40-150 kit lens if you dont actually want much reach - should be plenty cheap on ebay.

If you need a faster lens then the oly 50-200 is around £350 or so. You dont say what you want to use it for so difficult to say if the cheap ones will do what you want.


positive review of the sigma here:
http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/43/si-055-200.html


You could try asking on an olympus forum

http://e-group.uk.net/forum/index.php

http://forum.fourthirdsphoto.com/

[stigmundfreud]

i'd look at how much glass I was getting and compare the two from that point (having no experience or knowlege of either lens). at 90 quid range the quality isnt going to be the best so look at how much light it takes in. You cant substitute for glass area

[Tycho]

I have the Sigma and have been very happy with it for the price.

There are a few photos from Chester Zoo on my Flickr page which I took with it.

Flickr Page

[excersizer]

Check out the 40-150mm as well. Its lighter and sharper than the Sigma, but does not have the same reach.

You might get a more detailed explanation at the DPReview forums.

Edited by excersizer on Wednesday 5th August 17:21

[Fetchez la vache]

excersizer said:

Check out the 40-150mm as well. Its lighter and sharper than the Sigma, but does not have the same reach.

You might get a more detailed explanation at the DPReview forums.

Cheers for all the replies. In the end I went for the 40-150 anyway so I'll see what transpires when it turns up.
Sorry for not replying during the day - no access at work..

By the sounds of things the Sigma has quality issues near 200mm anyway so I thought this was the better bet, but without being able to try any beforehand its a bit of finger in the air anyway...