Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO IF Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sigma SLR Cameras |  | Brand: Sigma
Category: Photography
List Price: $11,500.00
Buy New: $8,699.00
as of 3/10/2010 10:50 PST details
You Save: $2801.00 (24%)
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  2 reviews
Media: Electronics
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Maximum Focal Length: 300
Minimum Focal Length: 300
Shipping Weight (lbs): 30.9
Dimensions (in): 29.3 x 14.4 x 13.2
MPN: B0009JKH6Y
Model: B0009JKH6Y
UPC: 085126595562
EAN: 0085126595562
ASIN: B0009JKH6Y
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Optimized for digital SLR cameras | | • | Multi-layer lens coating and lens design reduces flare and ghosting | | • | Extra Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum | | • | Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for ultra-quiet shooting | | • | Features a drop-in 46 millimeter filter holder |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
The Sigma APO 300-800mm f5.6 EX DG HSM Lens for Sigma 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).
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| Customer Reviews:
 The SIGMONSTER April 1, 2008
Michael A. Hays (Morgantown, WV United States)
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
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.
 Very expensive, Very heavy, only "fair" photo quality March 30, 2008
David E. Carter (Sanibel, FL)
9 out of 59 found this review helpful
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.
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