A digitally optimised telephoto zoom lens covering ultra-telephoto up to 300mm with a fast maximum aperture of F2.8 at all focal lengths.
This lens represents a revolutionary leap forward in ease of use. This was achieved by transforming a large-aperture 300mm F2.8 lens into a zoom lens that allows you to determine the picture composition you want without having to change your vantage point.
- - - - --
SLD glass and aspherical lenses
It has two SLD (the special low Dispersion) glass elements in front group and another element of SLD is being used for rear group for excellent correction of Chromatic aberration. The new lens Coating reduces flare and ghost, a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum natural colour balance. It prides excellent imaging capability like a prime lens.
Hyper sonic motor
The AF drive for Sigma SA, Canon and Nikon cameras is equipped with a silent, responsive and high speed HSM , which also provides full-time manual focus function.
Sigma APO Tele Converters (optional)
High-speed focusing is possible when this lens is used with dedicated APO EX tele-converters (1.4x and 2x). By adding an APO tele-converter, which is sold separately, you can use this lens as a 168-420mm F4 AF tele-zoom lens with a 1.4x tele-converter, or as a 240-600mm F5.6 AF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a 2x tele-converter. It is also possible to use AE (Automatic Exposure) function, even EX Tele-converters are attached to the lens. Internal Focusing and Internal Zooming
Since focusing and zooming do not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use. In addition, since the front of the lens does not rotate, a Circular polarizing filter can be easily attached and use.
Got this lens for use with a Nikon D3 and D300. I shoot mostly sports and needed something a Bit longer than my old 80-200/2.8 for field sports like baseball and lacrosse. I also have used this lens indoors for volleyball on my D3 so I can sit way up in the stands and still get close enough while looking down onto court at a cool angle. The 2.8 really comes in handy since my gym's lighting is absolutely horrible.
Anyway, I also got the Sigma 1.4x TC (which only AF and meters with a few lenses, including this one and the 300/2.8 prime, but they don't tell you that until you read the booklet insde the TC box!) So combining my 1.5 crop D300 with the 1.4x TC and this monster lens, I get about 250-630/4. In the full-frame D3 I get about 168-420/4 with the same setup. I have heard that some copies of this lens don't zoom all the way out the the claimed 300 mm but my metadata shows that my max focal length is actually 420 mm with the 1.4 TC on the D3, FWIW.
I thought about getting the 300 prime but really wanted the zoom feature since moving around a lot is not really an option for most sports shooting. I would love to get the Nikkor 200-400/4 but at $5K, that's not really an option and besides, I have a 2.8!
Pros: Good image quality, even with 1.4x TC, on par with or better than my Nikkor 80-200/2.8; great in low light at f/2.8; fast and quiet focusing that can keep up with fast action sports; way cheaper than anything Nikon makes (especially since they don't even make a 120-300/2.8 zoom!)
Cons: Cheap metal finish quality (thin, matte paint that shows scratches easily, if it doesn't chip off entirely); the zoom ring is reverse of Nikon direction (not bad if zooming is slow and deliberate, but I have issues when I need to snap in or out quickly and old habits take over from using Nikon lenses); zoom ring feels a bit stiffer than my 80-200 (don't know if it's just my copy, but I only need gentle fingertip pressure on the 80-200 to zoom but the Sigma requires a firm finger "squeeze") which affects how fast I can zoom in and out and thus how I shoot; lame lens cover "sock" that doesn't stay on when the hood is deployed
Other thoughts: Great lens for the money, especially when paired with 1.4x TC. The zoom ring issues I'm dealing with ok, it's just annoying at times, but not a deal-breaker for me. The biggest niggle is the cheap paint that flakes off (especially on the handle of the rotating collar and the edges of the hood--places that see the most action)
We are sports photographers so my review is based in that domain. This is a great lens! Shooting high school sports, we need to move from an on-the-field moment to something in the dugout or sidelines quickly and this does just that. AF is fast and accurate, and very quick. I lose very little time when we have the 1.4 extender on either. I almost got the dedicated 300mm and I'm glad I got this instead.
Have used this lens to photograph my son's football Games for the last 5 years and it never let me down. During the last season I took over 10,000 pictures and never had a glitch. They say the Canon lens's are a faster focus but I have a number of Pro Canon lens's and see no difference. For the money there is no better lens of these specs out there. The lens was out there with me getting wet, freezing, getting bounce around and always came through game after game after game. I post the pictures at [...] if you want to see what the lens can do. All of the football photos were shot with the lens, the closer ones of the Cheerleaders were shot with a different lens. Maybe next year I will start getting paid for shooting football games, I hope.. Its a great Lens.. Tommy
I bought this lens after reading many reviews. When the pricely item arrived, I could hardly wait to try my first shots. But the results were very poor. It seemed that it didn't focus properly. At this moment, after a few weeks, I'm used to it and it is the main lens on my Nikon D90, although it is very heavy. I have made many shots with it. Focussing works fast and nice. I did bother about the lack of stabilisation, but the wide aperture gives a better shutter speed and a nice bokeh. I like this lens very much.
haven't used it yet but it's coming, Tuesday, 08 December 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
i bought this lens at a time when i had some more free time and figured i'll buy it once, and have it forever. I can't comment on the quality of the pictures b/c i haven't really taken any yet. I will say this thing is a TANK! it's really really heavy so make sure you have a good sturdy tripod. The construction seems very good-i've owned other sigma lenses in the past (they were all stolen, thus this new purchase) and they were terrific. The real test for me is coming up in November 2010 when I go on Safari to Africa. I'll update my post then.
Great Lens for Sports Photography at Night, Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I bought this lens a year ago for my Nikon D300, for sports photography, mainly for night time high school football games. Im really excited and happy with it. The lens is big, impressive and catches the eyes of the other photographers on the field. But be warned the camera is heavy and I use a monopod to help keep the camera steady and keep my arms from fatigue. This camera is great for low light conditions, such as high school football games with its 2.8f. Depending on the stadiums lights, I can go an entire game without using a flash. But in poorly lighted stadiums, I do need a flash to help out with illuminating the players faces. Overall the picture quality is sharp and clear during the day and night under the right camera settings/lighting the picture quality can be great. The 300mm, also gives a significant closer range over my Nikon 200mm/2.8f.
The odd thing when you first use this lens, is the lens zoom function turns the opposite way from most tradition lens when you zoom in or out. So this gets getting us to, but very managable.
The bracket is solid and it loosen quickly to allow the camera to be switched to veritcal/horizontal positions quickly. But be warned, if you loosen it too much and dont tighten it, it going to cause the lens to become lose from the bracket mount and fall. You dont want this!
The lens was delivered by Amazon quickly, securely with no issues.
This is a great camera for the serious amatuer or beginning professional for football, baseball, socceer or any other field sports. It will bring you up to 30 yards closer to the action. My next step is getting the teleconverter to get me that much closer to the game. Good luck and have fun when you purchase this lens, well worth the money.
Super zoom for action sports, Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I purchased this lens in the Fall of 2008 from Amazon, and unlike another reviewer, it was very well packed when I received it. I was shooting a lot of HS and college sports from the sideline with a 70-200 2.8 and sometimes had to crop my shots heavily, but still with with excellent results. Years earlier I had outgrown the marginal images of the consumer grade 70-300. I struggled with a 300 2.8 prime I rented as it lacked the range and flexibility I grew to love in a zoom. I tried this lens and have been hooked ever since!!! Beautiful tack sharp full frame images with excellent color. This lens definitely took me to the next level and is the tool I needed for true pro results. The zoom is like silk and holds perfectly. This lens is heavy and built like a tank, but mounts well with a Manfrotto 234RC head on a 680B monopod. While the head is quick release, it is rock stable. I don't miss the image stabilization that would have added $2500 to the price tag.
If you're looking for pro action images at an outstanding value price, this is your lens.
An all round excellent lens. The focus speed below f/11 is fantastic and image sharpeness is fantastic. Colours are very true and clear. Definately well deserved praise for an excellent lens.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: I own it Where did you buy this item?: London Camera Exchange Price paid: 900 When did you buy this item?: 22/06/2008
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: very sharp at 300mm, built like a Sherman Tank Cons: If not a little weighty
