I use my 7D for shooting video 99% of the time, but I do a lot of casual photography just to get used to the camera and try different things.

Recently I started to get into nature photography just as a hobby. My longest lens is the 25mm-138mm that came with the camera. I was thinking of getting the sigma 70-300.

I see it on B&H for 169. I guess for that price, I can't go too wrong - the photography is just a hobby, I can't see spending a lot on a really pro lens at this point. Reading the reviews on Amazon and B&H, the pros tend to pooh-pooh this lens, hobbyists seem to love it. Sounds perfect for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm just answering my own question, but I wonder if that makes sense to people? Any other lenses in that price range you'd recommend over this?

The Sigma APO Macro 70-300 is fine... just don't go for the cheaper non APO lens.

I've gone thru a few lenses of this type and I have much longer and faster lenses now, but they are good bang for the buck.

The biggest problem I found, was the AF speed. You'll just have to be patient, get the shutter speeds up to the 1/500 or 1/1000 range to eliminate camera shake.

Have fun, and start saving for the 400/5.6L or 300/4IS... you'll eventually want it :)

These lenses are acceptable as long as you use them appropriately - shooting outdoors in bright sunlight will give you great photos but shooting inside a concert hall will be a different story.

Thanks, yeah, that's what I would use it for. I have some pretty fast prime lenses I use low-light situations. This sigma lens would be for a nice weekend, drive to a park or walk around town.