Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 3.7 x 3.7 inches ; 3.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000C1I36
• Item model number: B0000C1I36
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 11, 2003

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer An ultra-telephoto zoom lens, which overcomes image blur caused by camera shake.

Sigma APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS is one of several new products introduced at Photokina 2002 by Sigma Corporation of Japan (2-3-15, Iwado-Minami, Komae-shi, Tokyo, Japan).

Sigma's advanced Optical Stabilizer (OS) allows you to take great pictures with a long lens, even in low-light conditions. The image on the left was taken without Sigma's OS; the image on the right was taken with Sigma's OS.

Sigma's OS (Optical Stabilizer) system detects camera shake by utilizing two sensors, and then by the movement of an optical stabilizing lens group. It is equipped with two optical stabilizer modes to compensate for image blurring.

Mode 1, determines the camera shake in vertical and horizontal panning and compensates blurring, this mode is effective when shooting static subjects.

Mode 2, detects the vertical camera shake, and overcomes blurring. It is especially effective with moving subjects such as motor sports etc.

Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear group offer effective control of color aberration. This lens features full-time manual focusing and a removable tripod collar. The rear focus system prevents the front of the lens from rotating; a circular polarizing filter can be easily attached and used. This lens is also equipped with Zoom Lock Switch that eliminates "Zoom Creep". When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 112-560mm F6.3-7.8 MF telephoto lens or a 160-800mm F9-11 MF ultra-telephoto lens respectively. The lens materials used in this new lens are lead and arsenic free ecological glass.

Product Description

An ultra-telephoto zoom lens, which overcomes image blur caused by camera shake. A function that compensates for camera movement employing Sigma s own technology. Using Sigma s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function, two types of sensors inside the lens detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera. By moving a portion of the optical system to compensate for movement, this function delivers outstanding results in compensating for shaking of the camera. Two types of camera-shake compensation modes to handle all types of shooting conditions. In Mode 1, the system detects and compensates for vertical and horizontal movement of the camera ideal for still-image photography. And in Mode 2, the system detects and compensates for vertical movement of the camera ideal for motor sports and other situations where panning may be desired. And, with two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear lens group, the lens has excellent correction of chromatic aberration and delivers high-definition performance. Full-time manual focus is also available. Rear focus, zoom lock switch and other features. A circular polarizing filter can easily be used because of our rear-focusing system, in which the front lens group does not rotate during focusing. A zoom lock switch is built in to prevent the lens from extending due to its own weight, and the lens is easier to use. With the addition of an APO Teleconverter EX (sold separately), the lens becomes a 112-560mm F6.3-8 telephoto zoom lens with the 1.4x EX and a 160-800mm F9-11 telephoto zoom lens with the 2x EX

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great alternative to the Canon 100-400IS, and just a great lens to have, November 14, 2005

By 

Ben Udkow (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This lens is a great alternative to the Canon 100-400IS. The advantages over the Canon are:
-Twist zoom vs. the Canon pushh/pull zoom (personal preference)
-Less conspicuous black lens (versus Canon white lens--again a personal preference)
-20mm wider (VERY useful)
-and of course ~$400 cheaper!

The Sigma does lack HSM, so it is slower to focus (and louder) than the Canon or the Bigma, but once you have a target locked in your sights it keeps up with most birds/planes/cars. You will notice the slower AF most when going from close to far subjects (and visa versa).

I have used the Bigma (Sigma 50-500) and would recommend this over the Bigma for everything except for people who truly need the 500mm (birders especially). The OS (Sigma's Optical Stabilization) is truly amazing on the 80-400. When it kicks on at 400mm and you see your subject hold steady, well it's amazing. I've been able to get handheld shots at 1/125 at 400mm. You CANNOT do that with the Bigma. :-)

This is a heavy lens, but so are the 100-400, Bigma, and anything else in this class. Seriously, it's very heavy. Seriously... :-) If weight is an issue, check out Canon's 70-300IS. You'll lose 100mm at the long end, but you'll save a GOOD couple of pounds.

Having said that, I have no problems hiking around with this lens for 6+ hours (though I'm stronger than the average person, but not a muscle-head). The Sigma 80-400OS coupled with the Canon 17-85IS makes an amazing combination, and makes you ready for anything you may encounter.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great alternative to higher priced "L" lenses, April 14, 2006

By 

W. Rockwell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

The Sigma EX 80-400 provides the same optical clarity and sharpness as the Canon 100-400L lens, but for $400 less. The image stabilization works beautifully; I've taken handheld shots at 400mm with a shutter speed of 1/100 - try THAT with an unstabilized lens! AF is a little noisy, and is said to be slower than the Canon, but by all accounts it's not much, and the only time it's really noticeable is when trying to change focus from a very close object to one far away. And since you can use manual focus at any time, it's easy to give the focus ring a quick nudge with your thumb or finger, to lessen the distance the AF has to move the glass internally.

I have had my Sigma EX 80-400 lens for about a month, and am very pleased with it. It's extremely sharp and clear, and provides good clarity even at wider apertures. The zoom is smooth (although it's hard to zoom from one end to the other without repositioning your hand), and the image quality is excellent. It is a heavy lens, but not too heavy to carry around. It comes with its own padded nylon carry-bag and a lightweight but very functional lens hood, and the tripod mounting collar doubles as a nice carry-handle for the lens and camera when not mounted on a tripod.

Highly recommended!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad lens, not perfect., July 16, 2006

By 

Gary Gray - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I purchased this lens in lieu of the Canon 100-400 L OS, to save a little money. It wasn't a bad decision, but I will qualify it with the following note. I've used this lens on the Canon 30D crop sensor and on the 5D full-frame sensor. This lens works much better on the crop sensor. You'll get more telephoto and less distortion. On the full-frame 5D, the lens is at its limits on vignetting most of the time and I've found the results to be mostly unacceptable. It produces reasonable sharp shot and the OS works very well. It is a slow focuser though. Build quality is good and solid, though a bit heavy it isn't difficult to carry around and use. Final thoughts...if you are shooting a crop sensor camera, this is an excellent walk-around lens with good range and good results. If you're shooting full-frame, I'd avoid it.