This is lens any good?

[Mazz]

Couldn't find the photography section to put this in! And i know there's quite a few keen photographers on here..

I'm looking for a cheap'ish lens to give give me a better zoom on my xmas present, Nikon D5000.

I got the 18-55 lens kit with the camera, so i am right in thinking this would give more zoom, but not as good closer up? And also enable me to use the auto-focus with it being motorised?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-70-300mm-Motorized-Telephoto-Including/dp/B002CWWPZC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262368677&sr=8-4

Any help is much apprieciated as this D-SLR thing is a mine-field :) Theres sooo many setting to choose from and loads to remember :(

[Mazz]

The Nikon lens which seems the same is 3 times the price, and the only extra is the vibration reduction...and a slight worse aperture (i think!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000HJPK2C/ref=s9_sima_gw_s2_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0JKSFCPTMXEWKT7BVWND&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

[Mazz]

Bump, anyone know?

[Jack]

Sigma lens is good, I'm sure Welsh Dan has the canon version of that one...

[Mazz]

Would that lens give me better zoom though RJ? Its all new to me!

[smcgsi16v]

Yes.

[Jack]

Effectively, yes

Have a look on the wikipedia article about Telephoto Lens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephoto) to see the effects of different focal lengths

[Mazz]

Cool, so might get one when its pay-day then :)

I've been reading this too which shows the different focal lengths

http://www.dslrtips.com/lens_guide/Lens_buying_guide_focal_length.shtml

Edit : So between my 18-55 and that 70-300 i should have be covered for most scenario's

[bmw156]

i was looking at buying a 70-300 lense while i was in NY. and my brother has one. and yeh it gives immense zoom lol.

yeh you should be covered for most instances IMO.

and the guy who was selling me the lenses said the sigma is better then the nikon.

[Jack]

I intend to purchase a canon fitment one when I have the funds :)