Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO

 
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100-300mm $938
average price
image of Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO

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(From Sigma lens literature) This telephoto zoom lens provides a large f/4 aperture at all focal lengths. With minimal light-fall-off, superior peripheral brightness is ensured. It's the ideal lens for digital SLR cameras.

The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range.

This lens uses two pieces of SLD glass elements in the front lens group and another two in the rear group for excellent correction of chromatic aberration. High optic performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range.

The AF drive for Sigma SA, Canon, and Nikon cameras is equipped with a silent, responsive and high speed HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which also provides full-time manual focus function.

This lens incorporates an internal focusing system, which eliminates front lens rotation, allowing the use of a Petal-type Hood and more convenient to use of circular polarizing filter. Since focusing and zooming do not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use.

The use of an Apochromatic design and 4 SLD (The Special Low Dispersion) glass elements (two SLD glass elements are utilized in the front lens group and two in the rear group) provide for full correction of chromatic aberration and a high level of optical performance.

High-speed focusing is possible when this lens is used with dedicated APO EX tele-converters (1.4x and 2x). With the optional APO tele-converter 1.4x EX, it works as an AF zoom lens from 140mm to 420mm f/5.6. With APO tele-converter 2.0x EX, it works as a manual focus zoom lens from 200mm to 600mm f/8. It is possible to use AE (Automatic Exposure) function, even EX Tele-converters are attached to the lens.

Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO

Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO User Reviews

8.3/10 average of 4 review(s) Build Quality 9.0/10 Image Quality 8.0/10
  • 6 out of 10 points and recommended by bananitax (86 reviews)

    https://www.copytechnet.com/forums/members/naiarax.html

    reviewed March 11th, 2024
  • 8 out of 10 points and not recommended by Lomskij (1 reviews)
    Built like a tank, fast focus
    Optics could be better, bokeh

    Let's start with pros - I really like the build quality of this lens, which is unusual for Sigma. It's built like a tank, metal barrel, zoom and focus rings operate very smooth, nothing to fault here. Also the autofocus is really silent and accurate, another plus for Sigma.

    Now what I didn't like: sharpness is ok. Not great, but usable. CA's (it's not true APO lens after all) as well. Completely useless as a portrait lens - while f4 is fine at 300mm, having the same at 100mm means that the DOF control is rather poor, also bokeh is simply horrible.

    All in all it's not a bad lens, however it can't compete with 70-200 f2.8, especially stabilised ones.

    reviewed June 8th, 2010
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by dseidman (2 reviews)
    Sharp, good range, solid build, fast and accurate autofocus.
    No IS/VR and the lens is a little heavy but that's to be expected.

    I bought this lens a few years ago after reading lots of reviews. From what I had read, it appeared that this lens is comparable in image quality to Canon's telephotos of similar zoom range. Well after owning this lens for three years and using plenty of Canon's lenses during that time, I can say that this lens really is as good but at a much better price. I have been extremely pleased with its performance. So far it has survived three camera bodies (20D, 40D, and now 5D2) and it's still going strong.

    I mostly shoot landscapes with the camera mounted on a tripod so the f/4 aperture is something I don't have to worry about but I can see it being of some concern for sports photographers. Also, the lack of image stabilization can make it a little tough to use handheld. Other than that, I have nothing bad to say.

    Here is a gallery full of images I've taken with it over the years:
    http://www.danseidmanphoto.com/keyword/100300

    This lens is worth every penny.

    reviewed February 22nd, 2010 (purchased for $950)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by darrinlingle (5 reviews)
    sharp, well built, fast focus, works well w/sigma 1.4x TC, price, fx/dx frame
    heavy, 82mm filter size, under-rated

    nikon doesn't really have an affordable fast focusing super-tele-zoom like canon's 100-400L. this is a great alternative because as a previous 100-400L owner, this one seems like it's as sharp with the sigma ex dg 1.4x teleconverter (TC), stopped down to f8 at 420mm. the color and contrast are excellent. don't use a kenko 1.5x or generic teleconverter. the 1.5x doesn't focus with it most of the time. the sigma 1.4x ex dg focuses slower than without a TC but still fast enough for sports and wildlife. i use this on my nikon d300 and d700 with a auto focus fine tune of -4.
    i highly recommend this lens. it's very under-rated - a sleeper lens.

    reviewed December 9th, 2008 (purchased for $925)