New Photozone Review of Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG

[Tbear]

Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG HSM (Nikon) - Review / Test Report

I have read a lot of positive reviews about this lens on all mounts, including the Pentax mount. Although this was tested on a Nikon D200, I believe it would have tested very well on the K10D also. Wow, this lens looks amazing, and it costs less than the DA* 300 f/4 (yes I realize it has no HSM or weather-sealing, but it does have the slight advantage of the 100mm-300mm zoom range). I will now have to seriously weigh whether to get this lens or the DA* 300 f/4. I'm not going to make a move until I can see similar testing and user reviews of the * lens. Very exciting to see such great competition.

Ted

[channeler]

Yes, I've also had my eye on this lens as a possible next buy Ted. It seems to have a high reputation and the images I've seen on Photosig even with the 1.4 teleconverter have been exceptional. There are positive user reviews here:

FM Reviews - APO 100-300mm f4 EX IF HSM

and here:

Sigma 100-300mm F/4 EX IF HSM APO Reviews

I was also considering the Bigma. I've seen some great images produced by that lens as well. But the extra weight of the Bigma and the constant length and aperture of the 100-300 makes me more inclined to the latter. I spoke to someone who has owned both lenses and he seemed to think that the 100-300 had better IQ without the Teleconverter but I suspect IQ is probably comparable to the Bigma with the TC. It won't of course have quite the reach of the Bigma unless I used a x2 TC, but then IQ is likely to drop off further. Since hearing about the DA* 300 f/4 coming in though I am wondering whether to wait and see. At the end of the day you can't beat the IQ of a good prime. But then there will be no zoom. There are always compromises.

Paul

[philmorley]

I have the bigma, it is a nice lens it is best between 150-400 and while I have some nice shots wide open I find that I want to be stopped down 1 stop especially btween 400-500 which in all makes it pretty slow. It is also big and heavy and so there are days when I just cant be bothered carrying it. Have a look around for info on the 100-300 maybe search dpreview, there used to be lots of reports of focussing problems and hunting with the 100-300 in pentax mount (but I haven't looked at it for long time, so may not be an issue)