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 acquired 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.
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.
–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: $2,999.95 USD.
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