Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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....

I read with interest the three previous reviews. Unfortunately, I have poor results with this lens. My particular lens required warranty in the first month after purchase. Subsequently, I have returned this lens to Sigma two additional times. The picture quality has gotten worse each time repairs were made, to the point now where the lens is unusable. For my particular type of photography, the advertisements for the lens indicated that it would be a winner. The folks at Sigma have proven to be a huge disappointment.

I bought this product with high hopes. I saw the price, saw the length of the lens, then hoped to be able to get some great nature photos. I used this produce only 5-6 times, all with some difficulty, as the weight of the lens alone is around 15 pounds. Add a heavy Nikon D1 camera, and the tripod has to support nearly 20 pounds.

Getting a good photo was difficult, even with a remote shutter control. Just getting the camera/lens to stay focused on the subject was tough, as the heavy lens kept falling, slowly falling forward. The real disappointment came when i downloaded the photos to my computer. I got a few shots of eagles nesting close to where I live, but they were nowhere near as good as I had hoped for.

I paid about $7,000 for this lens, including shipping. I would have never have paid that much for the results I got, had I knows in advance. $2,500? Yes. Over $7,000. No. Save your money.