Sigma APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens

A versatile, fast aperture telephoto lens for both digital SLR and film SLR cameras. Two Extra Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum and also ensure sharp, quality images of high contrast.

The new multi layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital SLR cameras. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing, ensuring convenient handling and ease of use.

The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) models provide fast, silent AF function as well as full- time manual focus override.

HSM means this lens will autofocus on Nikon D40/D40x, Nikon D60, Nikon D3000, Nikon D3100 and the Nikon D5000 DX Cameras

A drop-in 46mm filter holder in the rear part of the lens barrel can be rotated to facilitate the use of filters, including a polarizing filter,

Simply adding an APO teleconverter (optional extra), means that this prime lens can be used as a 420mm f/4 AF ultra-telephoto lens with a 1.4X EX teleconverter, or a 600mm f/5.6 AF ultra-telephoto lens with a 2X teleconverter.

Super Telephoto Lens
High Power telephoto lenses from 400 mm to 800 mm (APS-C 300 mm 500 mm) and longer are very expensive, even for the slower versions, but they provide the ultimate in telephoto photography. Deep pockets are needed for most lenses in this range, particularly the faster versions, as one lens can cost more than the average person may spend on photography in their life. A super-telephoto lens can reveal far-off objects barely visible to the human eye.
A professional-quality 400 mm ƒ/2.8 lens is the ultimate dream lens of many sports and wildlife photographers, which they may save for years to acquire. A 600 mm ƒ/4 lens is even more striking, but the 16-times magnification of an 800 mm ƒ/5.6 lens can also be used for astrophotography with clear, vivid results.

Professional photographers are the primary consumers of such magnificent lenses. A majority of the images we see in publications are shot with these lenses.

• Fast maximum aperture F2.8 telephoto lens optimized for digital SLR cameras.

• Fully compatible with all Nikon Digital SLR cameras including the D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100 and D5000.

• Multi layer lens coating minimizes flare and ghost.

• Two ELD (extraordinary low dispersion) glass elements produce excellent imaging capability

• Accepts both 1.4x and 2.0x EX Teleconverters to produce 420mm F4 and 600mm F5.6 Autofocus ultra telephoto optics.

• Lens Hood
• Front Cover
• Rear Lens Caps
• Carry Case
• 46mm Protection Filter
• 46mm Circular Polarizing Filter
• 1 Year International Warranty plus 3 Year Sigma U.S.A. Extended Warranty (Total Warranty is 4 Years from Date of Purchase)

Professional glass that fills gap in Nikon lineup, May 31, 2008

By Frederick Gaston (Wilton, CT USA)

I shoot 2-3 sports events a week and while I love my D3 needed more reach (had been trying to shoot soccer & track meets with Nikon 70-200 & Sigma 100-300). I concluded after a lot of thought & soul searching it would be more strategic for me to buy D300/Sigma 120-300mm combo than a 200-400mm for the D3. [the 100-300mm is a great lens too, but that extra stop is so sweet!]

For me, I definitely wanted a f/2.8 lens and felt a zoom would be more versatile than the Nikon 300 f/2.8 (& cheaper too).

There's no question it's a heavy lens by most people's standards, but I always use with a Monfrotto 681B monopod (which I love too).

Have only had this combo for about a 2 weeks but love it. The pictures are tack sharp, and the bokeh is awesome--rivaling Nikon 70-200mm IMHO. People always mention you have to get a good copy from Sigma but buying new I was fairly certain this would not be a problem, and I knew I could always send it right back to ebay for another copy with no problem.

[....]In summary this combo has helped me take my game to a whole new level, and I'm very, very happy with this lens.

By Randall L. Steffens (Carthage, TN USA)

I've had this lens for about 1 year now and am very happy with it. I have no complaints with the quality of the unit or its photos. Some other reviewers have had a complaint with the mount screw holes, stating that they were of poor quality and stripped easily requiring the purchase of a new upgrade mount from Sigma. After using this lens extensively, I can authoritatively say that the mount is very good quality and should provide years of service free use. If you treat it respectfully, you won't have any problems. If you are interested in this lens, I would advise that you get it ASAP, because its price is rapidly rising every year. It has increased a full $400 in less than 8 months!

View other informational videos