Sigma 300mm f2.8 APO EX DG HSM For Canon Digital & Flim SLR Cameras

Product Information

It’s a big ask to deliver 50 per cent more telephoto reach than a 70-200mm lens while maintaining a constant f/2.8 aperture. The result is a big lens that weighs in at almost 3.4kg. That’s more than twice the weight of most top-flight 70-200mm lenses. Design is "typical" of Nikon's latest big lenses: the zoom ring is near the distal end of the lens with focus ring closer to the camera body. All buttons and controls (and there is no change in those controls compared to all recent Nikon super-telephotos) are closer yet to the camera body. The tripod collar itself is permanently attached to the lens barrel, but the tripod foot can be removed with the use of small Phillips screwdriver. In terms of overall "gestalt" - the Nikkor 120-300mm f2.8E is remarkably similar to the 180-400mm f4E. In fact, if you surgically removed the section of the 180-400mm f4E that houses the built-in teleconverter the two lenses would be almost indistinguishable (in length, dimensions, appearance, etc.). Go shoot a lacrosse game from the sidelines, or down the 3rd base line at a ball game, with runners full sprinting towards you....then i'll be satisfied that the review was a true test of this lenses ability.

http://public.fotki.com/m8o/dogs-life/funinthesnow/ ( the first 17 only -- first 5 are with the 2X TC ) With a magnification ratio of just 0.13x and a close-focusing distance of 2.5 meters (over 8 feet), macro users should look elsewhere.

Now here is a point to consider. Sigma are revamping their already new 120-300f2.8 OS lens. Their new lens will be out in 2013. They have improved the electronics of the 120- 300f2.8 OS which for some proved unreliable. Unlike the Sigma prime it will have optical stabilastion and a focus limiter switch. Furthermore you can, if my understanding is correct, adjust/customise the amount of disance limitation you wish to use and that being the case can be a very nice option...for me a dream come true! I do not think the optics have been improved but having said that the optics are pretty good and sharper than the the Sigma 300f2.8 prime. I requested a shop to to go out and take some images for me and send them full sized. I was very impressed, even with the use of a Canon 2X converter the images were sharp using a 7D. In the circumstances provided Sigma improve the reliability (and I think they will) the new 120-300f2.8 will be an excellent birding lens offering so much more in terms of composition with the zoom facility.

SR: Short-wavelength Refractive, a new optical material that helps reduce s p h e r o c h r o m a t i s m. Other wide open shots are quite good. Just how good can it get? Have a look here: http://public.fotki.com/m8o/outdoor_adventures/tanzania-2007/070812--tarangire-1/imgp4580.html The lens, built like Megatron’s canon, has a very solid feeling to it. When it is focusing, you can barely feel it. This lens is much bigger than a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6. It weighs just above 5 lbs and you do feel it in your arms. A monopod or tripod is more than recommended.Normal screw-in filters can be used on this lens, but the 105mm-sized filters are going to be very expensive if of good quality. It won't work with any of the Nikon 1 series (even with the FT1 Mount Adapter) or Pronea cameras — but who cares? As one who isn't inclined to fully believe lens weights that come from a host of different sources, here's a listing of the weights of the 120-300mm f2.8E and several competing lenses weighed on my own digital scale. I won't claim my scale is accurate to .0001 gram, but at least I'm using the same scale to weigh ALL lenses! ;-)