Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Fast Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches ; 3.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000A7B9T4
• Item model number: B000A7B9T4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 8, 2005

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

The Sigma 100-300mm EX DG HSM lens is the ideal telephoto zoom lens for digital SLR cameras. This telephoto zoom lens provides a large f4 aperture at all focal lengths. With minimal light fall-off, superior peripheral brightness is ensured. It's the ideal lens for digital SLR cameras.

SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass for high image quality.
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.

HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet, high-speed AF.
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.

Inner focusing and inner zooming systems
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.

APO lens
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.

EX lens
The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance.

APO Tele-Converter EX (Optional)
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 AF zoom lens from 140mm to 420mm at f5.6. With APO tele-converter 2.0x EX, it works as a manual focus zoom lens from 200mm to 600mm at f8. It is possible to use AE (Automatic Exposure) function, even EX tele-converters are attached to the lens. (The APO tele-converter is not included and must be purchased separately.)

Product Description

This telephoto zoom lens provides a large F4 aperture at all focal lengths. The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghosting while maintains minimal light-fall-off; superior peripheral brightness is ensured. New multi layer coating of this lens gives superb color performance while cutting down flare and ghosting caused by reflections from the digital image sensor. High optical performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range. Two SLD glass elements are used in the front lens group and two in the rear lens group for superior correction of several aberrations for superior image quality throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood supplied and circular polarizing filters. Maximum Magnification - 1 - 5 Filter Size - Diameter 82mm Dimensions - Diameter 92.4mm X Length 226.5mm, 3.6 x 8.9 inch Weight - 51 ounces

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sigma 100-300mm F4 EX DG IF Zoom Telephoto, August 7, 2007

By 

D. Hills (Ottawa, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This lens is the third Sigma lens I have purchased for my Sony A100 digital SLR. The lens is very well constructed. The mount is all metal. Auto focus is quick and accurate. I especially like the fact that all movement is internal. At 3 pounds, this is not a lightweight lens but it does not change length when zooming or focusing. This keeps the system very well balanced. The tripod mount is somewhat small compared to the Sigma 50-500 zoom but it secures the lens very well. Image sharpness at the minimum focusing distance of 71 inches is excellent. Image sharpness on distance shots at f4 is not good but improves at f5.6 and is very good at f8 thru f16.
I also own the Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 EX DG autofocus zoom lens. The image quality of the 100-300 zoom is better at all focal lengths than the 50-500 zoom. Image quality with the 50-500 zoom is best at 300mm but the 100-300 zoom is better.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent optical and build quality., May 29, 2009

By 

Gary Craggs (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM APO Fast Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I can only add my unreserved enthusiasm for this lens to the technical reviews out there. I had one off ebay, rarely used it and sold it when strapped for cash, but then spent months craving it back. Finally a wonderful person in my life bought me a new one from Amazon and since when I've taken hundreds of sporting and street journalism images.
It handles and balances really well on my Nikon D2X, has solid zoom ring in a great position, smooth movement of manual focus override if needed, near silent use, non-rotating and non-extruding front element, removable tripod clamp. It feels like its hewn from solid volcanic rock and glass -in stark contrast to the Nikon 18-200mm which has essentially and almost literally fallen apart after 3 years. The long end of this is so much sharper, brighter to compose, and richer in quality (as well as longer in telephoto) than the Nikon. The wide end of that will soon be replaced by a 16-85mm. Highly recommended, and can't find the slightest niggle to complain about.