Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM

Overview

Telephoto Zoom Lens
300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM

This lens covers the telephoto range from 300mm to the ultra-telephoto range up to 800mm. By continuously varying the Angle of view from 8.2º to 3.1º, the lens takes a lot of the footwork out of picture composition.

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ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass
This digitally optimised lens covers the ultra-telephoto range up to 800mm and has a fast maximum aperture. Its new lens Coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum colour balance.

ELD Glass
The lens incorporates two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements for effective compensation of chromatic aberrations and ensure sharp, quality images with high Contrast.

HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
The addition of an HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) makes fast, silent AF function a reality. The lens is also capable of full-time manual focus.

Internal Focusing and Internal Zooming
Focusing and zooming do not change the lens' overall length, ensuring it's easy of use either handheld or on a tripod.

Rear Filter System
A 46mm filter can be inserted near the rear of the lens, and the included Circular polarizing filter can be used in situ.

Included Tripod Bush
A heavy duty tripod bush is included as standard for use with tripods and monopods. Multiple threaded holes allow accurate balancing of lens and camera body. This is also designed as an easy grip when carrying the lens.

With optional Sigma APO Tele Converters
When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 420-1120mmF8 MF lens or a 600-1600mm F11 MF lens respectively.

Lens Construction		18 Elements in 16 Groups
Angle of View		8.2 - 3.1 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades		9 Blades
Minimum Aperture		F32
Minimum Focusing Distance		600cm
Maximum Magnification		1:6.9
Filter Size		46mm Rear
Dimensions		Diameter 156.5mm X Length 544mm
Weight		5880g
SRP		£4999.99

300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM		SIGMA
		CANON
		NIKON (D)
		FOUR THIRDS

Lens Specifications

Generic Lens Specifications

Lens Type: Zoom
IS / VR / OS: None
Min Focal length (mm): 300
Max Focal Length (mm): 800
Number of Elements: 18
Element Groups: 16
Max Aperture: 5.6
Minimum Aperture: 32
Diaphragm Blades: 9
Closest Focus Distance (m): 6
Maximum Magnification: 1.6
Filter Diameter (mm): 46
Diameter at widest (mm): 157
Lens Length (mm): 544
Weight (g): 5880

Details

300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM

Lens Hood

Circular Polarising Filter

Fitted Padded Case

Shoulder Strap

Front and Rear Caps

Instruction Manual

1 Year Warranty Card

2 Year Extended UK Warranty Card

Price Tracking

Field of View of this lens

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User Lens Reviews

Average user rating from: 4 user(s)


Overall rating (weighted)		4.0
Sharpness		4.3
Build Quality		3.8
AF Speed		4.3
Value for Money		3.8

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Amazing lens, Friday, 08 August 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

This lens produces tacky sharp images and beautiful colors. Autofocus is very fast due to the HSM motor. Unfortunatly there is no focus-limiting switch on the lens which makes it hunt sometimes for focus.

Use the 300mm for tracking. When the subject is found, zoom in to 800mm, focus and shoot. Be aware that the camera needs to focus again after zooming. Hold one hand on the tripod-handle, pushing it firmly down and the other hand to push the trigger.My advice is to shoot twice in continuous mode, the second is often better then the first (due to fact that pushing the trigger can cause movement).

It's a really heavy piece of equipment. Hiking range with lens, tripod and camera is limited to appr. a mile (I can tell by experience). So, it's not a lens for walking, but for hide-and-shoot. I hear a lot of complaints about the weight, can't imagine you didn't know it was heavy when you buy a 6000 dollar lens which is 60 cm in length. It's not much heavier then a 600mm f4 Canon or Nikon lens.

This is not a lens for easy use, it's a lens you have to learn to work with. Photography skills are very important, together with a sturdy tripod and a good (gimbal) head. When images are not tacky sharp, it probably is not the fault of the lens, but of the photographer. With an angle of view of only 3,1 degrees (and on a DX format even smaller) and a tube of 60cm in front of your camera, every little movement can cause the images to appear if they're out of focus. When you invest in a lens like this, also invest in the right supporting equipment. So, invest in a wimberley-type gimbal head and a professional Carbon or Aluminium tripod. I found out that even my Arca Swiss B1g ballhead does not offer the right amount of support for this type of lens.

Why should you care what I think?

My relationship with this item: I own it
Where did you buy this item?: Ian Hobday
Price paid: 4,500
When did you buy this item?: spring 2008

Conclusions at a glance

Would you recommend this Item: Yes
Pros: Sharp, fast and high IQ
Cons: focus hunting

Was this review helpful to you? yes

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The SIGMONSTER, Monday, 31 March 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

This is an awesome lens and is a real must-have for birdwatching and other nature photography. The zoom range is extremely flexible and the f-stop reasonably fast, but keep in mind that this is a very, very specialized lens. First of all, yes, it is gigantic! This is not something you'll be carrying around day-to-day. It can be very challenging to get sharp pictures at focal lengths beyond 400mm or so. You MUST MUST MUST use a sturdy, high-end tripod and gimbel head. This will also preclude the "downward fall" described in another review. The lens alone is very heavy, and once you toss in a sturdy tripod you're talking 25+ pounds of equipment at a minimum; this is really going to limit your mobility and affect the way you shoot. It takes a lot of forethought to use this lens, but I prefer to think of that as an advantage.

When used properly, this lens has fantastic image quality -- very sharp, excellent contrast. When I say sharp, I am talking L-series sharp, even wide open. The HSM focus speed is fast, perhaps slightly slower than Canon's USM but not appreciably so. The only thing it's really missing is image stabilization (or optical stabilization, as Sigma calls it), which would really help out on those long shots. This is a minor limitation, though, to a great lens. If you have the discipline to learn how to use this lens properly (and if you can afford it!), you'll reap some great rewards.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

This is an awesome lens and is a real must-have for birdwatching and other nature photography. The zoom range is extremely flexible and the f-stop reasonably fast, but keep in mind that this is a very, very specialized lens. First of all, yes, it is gigantic! This is not something you'll be carrying around day-to-day. It can be very challenging to get sharp pictures at focal lengths beyond 400mm or so. You MUST MUST MUST use a sturdy, high-end tripod and gimbal head. This will also preclude the "downward fall" described in another review. The lens alone is very heavy, and once you toss in a sturdy tripod you're talking 25+ pounds of equipment at a minimum; this is really going to limit your mobility and affect the way you shoot. It takes a lot of forethought to use this lens, but I prefer to think of that as an advantage.

When used properly, this lens has fantastic image quality -- very sharp, excellent contrast. When I say sharp, I am talking L-series sharp, even wide open. The HSM focus speed is fast, perhaps slightly slower than Canon's USM but not appreciably so. The only thing it's really missing is image stabilization (or optical stabilization, as Sigma calls it), which would really help out on those long shots. This is a minor limitation, though, to a great lens. If you have the discipline to learn how to use this lens properly (and if you can afford it!), you'll reap some great rewards.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful

Very expensive, Very heavy, only "fair" photo qual, Saturday, 29 March 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		2.3
Sharpness		2.0
Build Quality		2.0
AF Speed		3.0
Value for Money		2.0

I bought this product with high hopes. I saw the price, saw the length of the lens, then hoped to be able to get some great nature photos. I used this produce only 5-6 times, all with some difficulty, as the weight of the lens alone is around 15 pounds. Add a heavy Nikon D1 camera, and the tripod has to support nearly 20 pounds.

Getting a good photo was difficult, even with a remote shutter control. Just getting the camera/lens to stay focused on the subject was tough, as the heavy lens kept falling, slowly falling forward. The real disappointment came when i downloaded the photos to my computer. I got a few shots of eagles nesting close to where I live, but they were nowhere near as good as I had hoped for.

I paid about $7,000 for this lens, including shipping. I would have never have paid that much for the results I got, had I knows in advance. $2,500? Yes. Over $7,000. No. Save your money.