Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO IF Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 6.1 x 6.1 inches ; 13 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 28 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009JKH78
• Item model number: B0009JKH78
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 19, 2005

Product Description

Style: Canon SLR Cameras

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sigma APO 300-800mm f5.6 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras provides a constant fast maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range and is optimized for digital SLR cameras. By continuously varying the angle of view from 8.2 degrees to 3.1 degrees, the lens takes a lot of the footwork out of picture composition.

The multi-layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghosting, which is a common problem with digital cameras, and it also creates an optimum color balance. Two Extra Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements in the front lens elements reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum and also ensure sharp, quality images of high contrast. The lens' Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provide silent, high-speed and precise auto-focusing with full time manual focus override. The lens also features a drop-in 46 millimeter filter holder in the rear part of the lens barrel, which can be rotated to facilitate the use of filters, including a polarizing filter. Since focusing and zooming do not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use. In addition, since the front of the lens does not rotate, a circular polarizing filter can be easily attached and used. This lens accepts both 1.4x and 2x APO EX Tele-Converters (sold separately).

Product Description

From 300mm telephoto to 800mm ultra-telephoto this new lens provides a constant fast maximum aperture and is optimized for digital SLR cameras. This lens covers the telephoto range from 300mm to the ultra-telephoto range up to 800mm. By continuously varying the angle of view from 8.2° to 3.1°, the lens takes a lot of the footwork out of picture composition. New coating reduces Ghost and Flare 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. It is equipped with ELD (Extra Low Dispersion) glass elements Two ELD glass elements in the front lens elements reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum and also ensure sharp, quality images of high contrast. HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mount lenses) The HSM models provide silent, high-speed and precise auto-focusing with full time manual focus override. It also features a drop-in filter It also features a drop-in 46mm filter holder in the rear part of the lens barrel, which can be rotated to facilitate the use of filters, including a polarizing filter. Internal Focusing and Internal Zooming Since focusing and zooming do not change its overall length, this lens is easy to hold and use. In addition, since the front of the lens does not rotate, a circular polarizing filter can be easily attached and use. Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 420-1120mmF8 MF lens or a 600-1600mm F11 MF lens respectively.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The SIGMONSTER, April 1, 2008

By 

Michael A. Hays (Charlottesville, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO IF Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is an awesome lens and is a real must-have for birdwatching and other nature photography. The zoom range is extremely flexible and the f-stop reasonably fast, but keep in mind that this is a very, very specialized lens. First of all, yes, it is gigantic! This is not something you'll be carrying around day-to-day. It can be very challenging to get sharp pictures at focal lengths beyond 400mm or so. You MUST MUST MUST use a sturdy, high-end tripod and gimbal head. This will also preclude the "downward fall" described in another review. The lens alone is very heavy, and once you toss in a sturdy tripod you're talking 25+ pounds of equipment at a minimum; this is really going to limit your mobility and affect the way you shoot. It takes a lot of forethought to use this lens, but I prefer to think of that as an advantage.

When used properly, this lens has fantastic image quality -- very sharp, excellent contrast. When I say sharp, I am talking L-series sharp, even wide open. The HSM focus speed is fast, perhaps slightly slower than Canon's USM but not appreciably so. The only thing it's really missing is image stabilization (or optical stabilization, as Sigma calls it), which would really help out on those long shots. This is a minor limitation, though, to a great lens. If you have the discipline to learn how to use this lens properly (and if you can afford it!), you'll reap some great rewards.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Lens In The Super Telephoto Zoom Range, February 8, 2011

By 

Gary Mayo (Lincoln, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO IF Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

First off, this lens is no toy. It is a serious tool. One of the reviews here is not taking into account the persons ability to know how to use a lens like this. If you do not know how to use the lens, the lens can be no better than the photographer.

This lens requires support. That can be in the form of a heavy tripod and gimbal head, or it can be in the form of bean bags. Bags over the lens and well as under it.

A 800mm lens can see the effects of a 3 mph wind going gently by. Would not doubt it would see the effects of a bug landing on it. This lens needs substantial support. It could also benefit from mirror lock up, and a remote shutter, or a delayed timer.

If you are not going to take the time to learn how to use it, and then take the time to set it up, do not bother getting this lens. It will do you no good at all. Stick with the kit lens that came with your camera.

However, if you are a pro, this is a serious pro lens. It will knock your socks off! No other lens on the planet will do what this lens will do. 300-800mm Zoom in a constant f/1:5.6. Simply a dream lens!

As for that other reviewer, enjoy your kit lenses.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lens which Ate my Dog, December 22, 2011

By 

C - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO IF Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I got this lens for avian photography, with high hopes of its quality and performance. Unfortunately, when they were shipping this lens to me, UPS forgot to feed it. When it arrived at my house, I unpacked it and did the usual new lens tests. I let my dog run in an open field to test the lens speed of focus. As soon as I pressed the shutter, its giant mouth opened to reveal gaping teeth. It chewed my poor animal to bits, and swollewed him away. I give this lens 5 stars because now I no longer have vet bills....

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