Gallery of sample pictures taken
with a Sigma 300 HSM APO F/2.8
Pictures taken with Sigma APO-HSM
300mm
F/2.8 Lens.
No 70-300
zoom lens compares to the brightness of a 300mm F/2.8 prime lens. We
have been using our Sigma 300mm for almost 5 years. The lens
is quite sharp at F/2.8 and AF is lightning fast on our Nikon D200
& Nikon F5, focusing is very silent thanks to its HSM,
Hypersonic Motor. There is a new version of this lens with coatings
for better performance on DSLRs labeled as 'DG'. We recently
aquired a 1.4x tele-converter for more reach and we have not
noticed a great deal of loss on AF performance. In
bright daylight the AF performance is as good as when it is used
without the Sigma the 1.4x TC. Image quality with tele-converter
attached is very good wide-open, however, we prefer to stop the lens
down to F/5.6.
--Very
good lens, EX series have never failed us. --Highly
recommended and affordable alternative, very sharp--
Approx street
price for Sigma
300mm APO-HSM,F/2.8
Lens: $2,599.95 USD.
*By
clicking on the B&H link below and buying this lens, you are
helping this site stay alive.
How the Sigma 300 f/2.8 does
behave in fast paced situations?
One of the reasons I use this
lens is because I want the best quality possible at this range
(300mm) and no 70-300mm consumer zoom will give me that quality
neither the speed. I wish I had a Nikkor but when I bought the Sigma
(5 years ago) the budget didn't allowed for a Nikkor, still today the
Sigma is an affordable option if we compare it to either a Nikon or
Canon version. I wish Sigma adds OS to the next version of this lens
(Sigma if you are reading take note). The Sigma 300mm f/2.8 focus and
tracks fast subjects, these erratically moving kids playing Soccer
were no problem at all for the lens mounted on my Nikon D200. Dynamic
group focus was used on camera and AF-C mode. I must tell that these
shots were done very late in the afternoon and in some shots with
harsh sun light on front of the lens, a bit of ghosting was visible,
read well, I said just a bit. Not too much but it is there. I noticed
that basically since I got the lens and it never was a deal for me
because I barely shoot under those conditions. I don't know how the
new DG version behaves in this area, however, I noticed that this
ghosting could be minimized if the lens hood was a bit longer, this
could make a big difference.
Our good friend and loyal visitor
Felix ''Ciceron'' Arellano from Madrid, Spain recently bought
the Sigma 300mm F/2.8 after reading our impressions here. He says: the
lens is definetly a keeper and a great choice when the budget is an object.
He kindly shared some pictures with us.
Yes and it does a fine job,
during the Spring I took this not so little guy for some Tulips
shots. I might see a nice Tulip and other flowers when I'm driving
and I pull over. Since these flowers most likely are in private
properties, I can take pictures of them without having to trespass.
If the owner of the property is available, it is wise to ask
permission and you bet, they will agree. Still, I prefer the 300mm
for these shots for 2 reasons:
1- Working distance
2- Subject isolation thru a thin
depth-of-field. There are in many cases unwanted objects in the
background that definitely you don't want them to be seen. When we
see flowers we usually think macro, but in situations like this you
might be better served even with your favorite 70-300 zoom lens @ 300mm.
This set of bird pictures
below was shot with Nikon D200 & Sigma's 300mm F/2.8 lens with
1.4 DG tele converter. ISO 250 @ 6.3 on a Bogen 3018 Monopod
Pictures taken with Sigma APO-HSM
300mm
F/2.8 Lens.
