Amita Guha wrote on 11/16/2004, 8:50 PM:
> > Failing that, can anyone recommend a good third-party lens? I just want a > reasonably fast lens that I can hike with and that has some nice > contrast. > An f/4.5 would be fine. Amita; I'm really happy with my Sigma AF APO 300mm f4 Macro. I use it on the ist D all the time. Because it focuses close 1:3 I can shoot a full-frame shot of a butterfly in one instant and quickly catch a bird wading in the lake the next moment. See http://www.skofteland.net for examples. All the "Bird" gallery was shot with the Sigma, some with the 2x or 1.4x Sigma EX TCs. The lion and water lilies were also shot with the Sigma. The Sigma also has a tripod collar which I think adds to it's usefulness. Just make sure you get the AF APO Macro version of the Sigma. The MF versions were not so good. -- Christian [EMAIL PROTECTED]