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

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches ; 1.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000A7B9T4
• Item model number: B000A7B9T4
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

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

Fully compatible with all Nikon Digital SLR cameras including the D40 and D40X, 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, a common problem with digital cameras, and also creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range. Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements in the front lens group and another two in the rear group offer excellent correction of chromatic aberration. High optical performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range. The internal focusing and zooming mechanism do not change the lens' overall length, assuring ease of handling and operation. A rotating tripod mount can be conveniently detached if required. The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures a silent, high-speed AF function as well as full-time manual focusing capability Since the front of the lens does not rotate, a circular polarizing filter and Petal-type hood can be easily attached. High-speed focusing is possible when this lens is used with dedicated APO 1.4x EX tele-converter. With the optional APO 1.4x EX tele-converter, this lens becomes a 140mm to 420mm F5.6 AF zoom. With the APO 2.0x EX tele-converter, a manual focus zoom lens from 200mm to 600mm F8 is achieved.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Telephoto Zoom, June 4, 2007

By	M. Farrell (CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this lens to use with my Canon 30D for high school sports (soccer, football, baseball, etc). I already had the Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras and needed more focal length. Like the 70-200 F/2.8, this lens is big, heavy, and built like a tank. The bare lens is about an inch longer than the 70-200, but the 100-300's hood is longer than the 70-200's hood.

The zoom and focus rings are wide and move smoothly with just the right amount of resistance. This lens is sharp wide open. At the overlapping focal lengths, the 70-200 at F/4 is just barely sharper than this lens at F/4 (wide open). At 200mm, this lens is actually sharper (200mm is this lens's sweet spot.) At 300mm, the lens is still sharp wide open, but I like to stop down to F/4.5 just to keep things super-sharp. Up to 250mm, I would not hesitate to use it wide open.

This Sigma lens has HSM which means the focus is fast and quiet. The lens focuses a little slower than the 70-200 F/2.8, but I've found that the 30D is more of a limiting factor in focus speed than the lens is. Servo tracking is very good with this lens, the only time it can't keep up is when track runners are sprinting straight at me (although again, I think the body is the limiting factor here.) For almost every other situation, the focus will definitely keep up.

All in all, this is not an indoor lens by any means, but as an outdoor sports (or wildlife/nature) lens, it is awesome.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sigma 100-300mm F4 - Great lens for the price., July 31, 2007

By	John Nelson "Montana Mountain Man" (Livingston, Montana USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this lens because the Canon 100-400mm was alittle to much for my pocket book. I have had the lens over 5 months and used it mostly outdoors with a monopod. A monopod is a must, Living next to Yellowstone Park I use this lens alot, however it is alittle heavy, and needs alot of light to get a perfect picture. Its not a L lens but it has its qualities that are very close, this lens doesn't get the attention it deserves for outdoor photography.

If you are looking for a good F4 lens without spending over $ 900.00 this is a good alternative. If you shot in low light tripod is a must.

Overall I am very happy with this lens, I would give it 5 stars if it handled low light better.

1 of 1 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)

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.