Featured User Review: Sigma 100-300mm f/4.0 HSM Zoom Lens

December 29th, 2008 by

Photo-John

Sigma 100-300mm f/4.0 HSM Zoom Lens Your opinions and experience matter. Reviews by community members are the foundation of PhotographyREVIEW.com. Share your experience with other photographers by writing reviews for your cameras and other photo gear. You don’t have to be an expert - everyone’s opinion counts.

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Featured Review:
Sigma 100-300mm f/4.0 EX IF HSM APO Zoom Lens

by NorCalAl (Intermediate)

Price Paid: $700.00 from Another Owner
Review Date: December 29, 2008
Used product for: 1 to 3 months

Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 5 of 5

Summary:
As part of my move from Canon to Nikon, I wanted to replace the Canon 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS I had recently sold. Honestly, there is no replacing that lens in the Nikon mount. That said, I went through the usual suspects and finally found the Sigma 100-300/4.
The lens is the only zoom in a Nikon mount that offers the range it does - period. If you include the host of 70-300’s, it’s the only one to offer a constant f4 at all focal lengths. Thus, there aren’t really any direct competitors.
When you first pull it out of the box, you realize what a substantial piece of gear this is. On a par with my set of Canon L’s, for sure - at least as far as weight and build quality goes. A huge petal hood, tripod ring and nice padded case are included. So is the trademark EX lens coat - a nice black crinkle finish.
Along with the EX mark and constant f4 is the HSM focusing motor - no body focusing here. Pretty quick, although I might hazard a guess that the 100-400 was just a tad quicker. Still, it kept up with a RedTail hawk as it flew amongst the tree branches.
IQ is very nice and balanced. Great contrast and color.
All in all, an excellent buy for less than $1000 new and $700 used.

Strengths:
Build, AF speed, constant f4, included tripod ring and case. Image quality is on a par with my L series lenses as well.

Weaknesses:
WEIGHT. Yeah, I knew how much it would be going in and I’ve carried 12-14 pounds of glass around in a 70-200, 100-400, 24-105 and 180 macro before, but it’s still a lot of weight.
The biggest negative is a lack of IS/OS/VR type stabilization. With a focal length of 300mm and 3lbs, some form of VR would be nice. Naturally, cost would increase too.

Similar Products Used:
Canon 100-400, Sigma 70-300, Tamron 70-200.

Customer Service:
NA

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