sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF

zmohie · 09-03-2011, 11:26 AM

I have posted this in another forum and need more inputs about this lens.
I got it at a good price and excellent condition.
there are three versions of this lens. one with DG the other with DG HSM and the third one non DG.
Please give me your openions about this one/the non DG HSM/version.
thanks in advance.

Last edited by zmohie; 09-12-2011 at 06:49 AM.

Talisker · 09-03-2011, 12:19 PM

Search the forum/look at the lens reviews. There's a shedload of information about this sadly discontinued lens. You'll have to go a long way to find a bad word (unless its people complaining 'its only f4', or 'it's too heavy', or 'its only 300mm' or other stuff that suggests they never bothered to read the specs or pick one up before they bought it. I have had the DG non-HSM version for a few years now and it's excellent - difficult to flare with the hood on, reasonable contrast, low fringing,suprisingly little loss in quality with the 1.4 converter. If you bought a good one why are you still after input? Use it, get to know it, see how its suits your style - that's worth more than a few thousand words from a third party. If its good for you and your needs, its good. End of. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

zmohie · 09-03-2011, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by Talisker

Search the forum/look at the lens reviews. There's a shedload of information about this sadly discontinued lens. You'll have to go a long way to find a bad word (unless its people complaining 'its only f4', or 'it's too heavy', or 'its only 300mm' or other stuff that suggests they never bothered to read the specs or pick one up before they bought it. I have had the DG non-HSM version for a few years now and it's excellent - difficult to flare with the hood on, reasonable contrast, low fringing,suprisingly little loss in quality with the 1.4 converter. If you bought a good one why are you still after input? Use it, get to know it, see how its suits your style - that's worth more than a few thousand words from a third party. If its good for you and your needs, its good. End of. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

thanks for reply and time. Ibought the lens since a couple of hour.so that is why I ask here.

Bramela · 09-03-2011, 12:53 PM

Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Legacy Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Have a look in the above Forum, it should give a good insight.

**Ash** · 09-03-2011, 01:02 PM

A number of users of the non-DG lens say it performs very well - but the best way to know whether yours is a good copy is to go out and shoot with it. No need to pixel peep or shoot wide open when not needed to - just shoot as you would normally to get the results you want, then review your images for clarity, contrast, colour and sharpness.

Edgar_in_Indy · 09-03-2011, 01:18 PM

Why does Sigma keep discontinuing great lenses? I bought the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM II last year just before they discontinued it, and I was looking forward to buying the 100-300mm f4 when I could get the spare cash together, but now they have discontinued that great lens also. I guess I'll just have to settle for buying a used copy, if I can ever find one. Seems like they never show up on eBay.

**Digitalis** · 09-05-2011, 05:16 AM

It's an awesome lens - you won't be disappointed, after many years of working with it the only quirk that irritates me from time to time is the bokeh - the aperture has nine blades but they are far from circular, so you get nonagons* appearing in OOF areas which is a bit distracting.

I wouldn't worry much about HSM/screw drive focusing the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG focuses so quickly even on my K10D that the sound of the focusing mechanism is of little concern.

*nine sided polygon

Here is an image from my sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG:

dmort · 09-05-2011, 01:08 PM

I have been trying to find a 100-300mm f/4 for like two months now... I have sort of accepted that it will never happen...

Mike.P® · 09-05-2011, 01:19 PM

One from my 100-300mm f4 on the K20D

It's also pretty good with the Sigma 2x teleconverter. (K-5)

Edgar_in_Indy · 09-05-2011, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by dmort

I have been trying to find a 100-300mm f/4 for like two months now... I have sort of accepted that it will never happen...

Don't worry. I'm sure Sigma will soon be announcing a replacement 100-300mm f/4 that has stabilization and is 50% larger, 50% heavier, and costs 50% more, just like they did recently with the 50-150mm f/2.8.

dmort · 09-05-2011, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

and costs 50% more...

Ha, and I'll probably buy it too.

**Digitalis** · 09-05-2011, 04:43 PM

personally I am more interested in the 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS - i'm not crazy about the addition of OS which is a bit redundant with pentax cameras but the extra stop or so of lens speed (f/2.8 Vs F/4) will come in handy with 2X teleconverters. But I have used a Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG before on my D3s and it is a heavy lens - I have a carbon fibre mono-pod that I had to attach to it because of the arm fatigue I was getting after a few minutes of hand held use. From what I have read the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 has a circular aperture so no more distracting nonagons in the bokeh.

Edgar_in_Indy · 09-05-2011, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

personallyt I am more interested in the 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS

I'm sure that's a great lens, but the difference is that the 100-300mm f4 at $1000 or less was within reach of amateurs/hobbyists like myself (if barely), whereas the 120-300mm at more than $3000 is really only for professionals who use it to make money, (or for amateurs with really deep pockets).

**Digitalis** · 09-05-2011, 05:51 PM

Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy

is really only for professionals who use it to make money

well the Sigma 100-300 f/4 APO EX DG I own has paid for itself four times over so I think it's safe to say that I can afford change over to a better lens...now all Sigma has to do is come out with the 120-300mm f/2.8 in K mount.

Edgar_in_Indy · 09-05-2011, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

well the Sigma 100-300 f/4 APO EX DG I own has paid for itself four times over so I think it's safe to say that I can afford change over to a better lens

Dibs on the f4!

09-03-2011, 11:26 AM	#1
zmohie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: egypt Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 435	sigma 100-300 AF F4 APO EX IF I have posted this in another forum and need more inputs about this lens. I got it at a good price and excellent condition. there are three versions of this lens. one with DG the other with DG HSM and the third one non DG. Please give me your openions about this one/the non DG HSM/version. thanks in advance. Last edited by zmohie; 09-12-2011 at 06:49 AM.

09-03-2011, 12:24 PM	#3
zmohie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: egypt Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 435 Original Poster	Originally posted by Talisker Search the forum/look at the lens reviews. There's a shedload of information about this sadly discontinued lens. You'll have to go a long way to find a bad word (unless its people complaining 'its only f4', or 'it's too heavy', or 'its only 300mm' or other stuff that suggests they never bothered to read the specs or pick one up before they bought it. I have had the DG non-HSM version for a few years now and it's excellent - difficult to flare with the hood on, reasonable contrast, low fringing,suprisingly little loss in quality with the 1.4 converter. If you bought a good one why are you still after input? Use it, get to know it, see how its suits your style - that's worth more than a few thousand words from a third party. If its good for you and your needs, its good. End of. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise! thanks for reply and time. Ibought the lens since a couple of hour.so that is why I ask here. Last edited by zmohie; 09-12-2011 at 06:52 AM.

09-05-2011, 04:43 PM	#12
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	personally I am more interested in the 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS - i'm not crazy about the addition of OS which is a bit redundant with pentax cameras but the extra stop or so of lens speed (f/2.8 Vs F/4) will come in handy with 2X teleconverters. But I have used a Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG before on my D3s and it is a heavy lens - I have a carbon fibre mono-pod that I had to attach to it because of the arm fatigue I was getting after a few minutes of hand held use. From what I have read the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 has a circular aperture so no more distracting nonagons in the bokeh. Last edited by Digitalis; 09-12-2011 at 12:46 AM.

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09-03-2011, 12:19 PM	#2
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	Search the forum/look at the lens reviews. There's a shedload of information about this sadly discontinued lens. You'll have to go a long way to find a bad word (unless its people complaining 'its only f4', or 'it's too heavy', or 'its only 300mm' or other stuff that suggests they never bothered to read the specs or pick one up before they bought it. I have had the DG non-HSM version for a few years now and it's excellent - difficult to flare with the hood on, reasonable contrast, low fringing,suprisingly little loss in quality with the 1.4 converter. If you bought a good one why are you still after input? Use it, get to know it, see how its suits your style - that's worth more than a few thousand words from a third party. If its good for you and your needs, its good. End of. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

09-03-2011, 12:53 PM	#4
Bramela Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newcastle Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,284	Sigma Lenses for Pentax: Legacy Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Have a look in the above Forum, it should give a good insight.

09-03-2011, 01:02 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	A number of users of the non-DG lens say it performs very well - but the best way to know whether yours is a good copy is to go out and shoot with it. No need to pixel peep or shoot wide open when not needed to - just shoot as you would normally to get the results you want, then review your images for clarity, contrast, colour and sharpness.

09-03-2011, 01:18 PM	#6
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Why does Sigma keep discontinuing great lenses? I bought the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 HSM II last year just before they discontinued it, and I was looking forward to buying the 100-300mm f4 when I could get the spare cash together, but now they have discontinued that great lens also. I guess I'll just have to settle for buying a used copy, if I can ever find one. Seems like they never show up on eBay.

09-05-2011, 05:16 AM	#7
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	It's an awesome lens - you won't be disappointed, after many years of working with it the only quirk that irritates me from time to time is the bokeh - the aperture has nine blades but they are far from circular, so you get nonagons* appearing in OOF areas which is a bit distracting. I wouldn't worry much about HSM/screw drive focusing the Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG focuses so quickly even on my K10D that the sound of the focusing mechanism is of little concern. *nine sided polygon Here is an image from my sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG:

09-05-2011, 01:08 PM	#8
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	I have been trying to find a 100-300mm f/4 for like two months now... I have sort of accepted that it will never happen...

09-05-2011, 01:19 PM	#9
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	One from my 100-300mm f4 on the K20D It's also pretty good with the Sigma 2x teleconverter. (K-5)

09-05-2011, 01:48 PM	#10
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by dmort I have been trying to find a 100-300mm f/4 for like two months now... I have sort of accepted that it will never happen... Don't worry. I'm sure Sigma will soon be announcing a replacement 100-300mm f/4 that has stabilization and is 50% larger, 50% heavier, and costs 50% more, just like they did recently with the 50-150mm f/2.8.

09-05-2011, 03:49 PM	#11
dmort Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Bronx, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy and costs 50% more... Ha, and I'll probably buy it too.

09-05-2011, 05:07 PM	#13
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by Digitalis personallyt I am more interested in the 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS I'm sure that's a great lens, but the difference is that the 100-300mm f4 at $1000 or less was within reach of amateurs/hobbyists like myself (if barely), whereas the 120-300mm at more than $3000 is really only for professionals who use it to make money, (or for amateurs with really deep pockets).

09-05-2011, 05:51 PM	#14
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Edgar_in_Indy is really only for professionals who use it to make money well the Sigma 100-300 f/4 APO EX DG I own has paid for itself four times over so I think it's safe to say that I can afford change over to a better lens...now all Sigma has to do is come out with the 120-300mm f/2.8 in K mount.

09-05-2011, 05:58 PM	#15
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by Digitalis well the Sigma 100-300 f/4 APO EX DG I own has paid for itself four times over so I think it's safe to say that I can afford change over to a better lens Dibs on the f4!