Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras

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Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000B8GSJ8
• Item model number: B000B8GSJ8
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 21, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sigma APO 70-300mm f4-5.6 DG Macro Lens for Minolta Digital SLR Cameras is a telephoto zoom lens with tele-macro functionality. Optimized for digital cameras, this high-performance lens has two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear lens group. It is able to shoot with maximum magnification 1:2 at the focal length of 300 millimeters. It's the ideal lens for portraits, sports photography, nature photography, and other types of photography that frequently use the telephoto range.

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 through the entire zoom range. High optical performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range. The lens features a switch that converts the lens to macro photography at focal lengths between 200 millimeters and 300 millimeters, with a minimum focusing distance of 37.4 inches. In normal mode the minimum focusing distance is 59.1 inches at all zoom settings.

Product Description

The high performance telephoto zoom lens is ideal for digital SLR cameras. This lens has two SLD glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear lens group It's able to shoot with maximum magnification 1:2 at the focal length of 300 mm. It's the ideal lens for portraits, sports photography, nature photography, and other types of photography that frequently use the telephoto range.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent lens, January 3, 2007

By	John McQuitty (San Angelo, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent lens - very sharp at all extensions. I particularly like the macro function at 200-300mm - very sharp, very cool, and good stand-off distance in macro. Of couse use a tri-pod in macro. The lens has returned excellent pictures. The lens is fully compatible with my Knoica-Minolta 5D in all its functions. I usually carry just two lenses, this one and the Sigma 18-200mm lens, plus a 1.4x converter, but am thinking about adding the 10-20mm Sigma as well. These are all good lenses, and I certainly do not feel "under-gunned" with this kit. I am very happy with this purchase.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great lens for the price, July 5, 2009

By	dotm8rix "arrrrgh!" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

i use this lens in the 70-200 range for portraiture or general telephoto photography, in the 200-300 range for near macro photography, and at 300 with a 50mm lens reversed onto it for extreme (6x's lifesize) macro shots. in all instances i've been generally pleased with the quality. it's a little soft at 200-300mm for telephoto work.

bottom line is if you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with this lens.

fyi: sigma has a couple versions of the 70-300 in circulation. this APO version is reputed to be sharper than the newer, non-APO version.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent in its class, January 11, 2007

By	K. Reed - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Performs well for this class of lens, and really can't be beaten for the price. Fine for macro work when you can be a meter or so from your subject (you'll need a tripod or steady hands + image stabilization); sometimes this is actually a plus (i.e. for subjects that you can't or don't want to get close to like easily frightened insects). AF tends to hunt a little but is very useable except in low light.

The combination of image quality, wide range, and macro capability at THIS PRICE is why I would rate it 5 stars. I'm pleased with my own results, and after reading tons of reviews of this and its competition, I'm convinced there is no better deal if a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is what you're looking for.