Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF: Post your favorites taken with this lens.

pcarfan · 05-31-2009, 07:29 AM

I think this is an amazing lens. It has fared well in all reviews even when compared to primes in all systems. This range is covered with various primes at 135mm, 200mm and 300mm. It is a difficult decision to pick a lens in this range.

Now, the Pentax 60-250 is also competing with this lens. IMO, the Pentax has the advantage over the color rendering (Pentax coating I believe), but the sigma has better sharpness even wide open. Bokeh and contrast is even, but overall rendering may get a slight nudge towards the Pentax 60-250. (This is my opinion, yours might vary...).

Anyhow, I don't see many images from this lens. I am posting some of my best examples as voted by my peers (PPG) . All of these images were PP in CS2. Please post some of your favorites taken with this lens....If I am looking for a lens in this range today, I will still choose the same.....

Now, one with the bower 2X TC at 600mm

Last edited by pcarfan; 05-31-2009 at 07:46 AM.

ballgofar · 05-31-2009, 11:04 AM

Wow! Incredible shots. How did you manage to get that close to an eagle?

Piotr · 05-31-2009, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by pcarfan

Anyhow, I don't see many images from this lens. I am posting some of my best examples as voted by my peers (PPG) . All of these images were PP in CS2. Please post some of your favorites taken with this lens....If I am looking for a lens in this range today, I will still choose the same.....

great shots
This lens is part of my kit in all my trips for last four years. I use it always with TC1.4.

Pentax PENTAX K20D,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/500s f/5.6 at 300.0mm iso400

Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/320s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso320

Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/800s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso200

Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/160s f/5.0 at 300.0mm iso400

Pentax K10D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/400s f/5.0 at 250.0mm iso400

Pentax *ist DS ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
1/20s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso200

Pentax *ist DS ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX
+TC1.4 1/60s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso400

pcarfan · 05-31-2009, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by ballgofar

Wow! Incredible shots. How did you manage to get that close to an eagle?

Bought a ticket to the ZOO

and significant cropping.

I am not a real nature photographer yet, only the zoo so far, and my backyard.

pcarfan · 05-31-2009, 12:23 PM

Piotr,

Ther are some incredible shots there, wow!

jsherman999 · 05-31-2009, 07:45 PM

All at 300mm, f/4, f/4.5 or f/5:

An exceptional lens.

.

**Digitalis** · 05-31-2009, 09:27 PM

can I play too?

from a Recent trip to Ki.

Jewelltrail · 05-31-2009, 09:41 PM

Some fantastic shots guys. I have not shot with this lens, but want to now.

Jay, what is up with the Canon shooter? His flash is up in good light

jsherman999 · 05-31-2009, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Jewelltrail

Jay, what is up with the Canon shooter? His flash is up in good light

Well, I think we all know the Canon people are challenged in many ways. It's
often best to just lead them by the hand to a helpful authority figure and let them
be.

Talisker · 06-01-2009, 04:54 AM

Something a bit different (although it loses out somewhat in lowering the resolution for the web, and being displayed on a white ground, rather than a black one...)... From the Burren in Ireland

m8o · 06-01-2009, 07:39 AM

You giez are making me wish I bought this lens for its zoom instead of the Sigma 300mm I got.

<rant on> Fact is, when I was rushing in the summer of 2007 to get a good long lens for an epic trip (see my sig lol) I would have this if Cameta Camera here on LI wouldn't have screwed me by sitting on my special order, delaying in talking to Sigma just figuratively down the street from them, attempting to order it 5 days after I gave them the $500 down payment; this after Sigma told me to go to them and expedite the order from Cameta to Sigma. By the time Cameta ordered the one lens Sigma said they had available, it was gone and there were no more to be had in the US. Geez, never dealing with them again. <rant off

>

Anyhoo, finally realizing I won't get great photos from a 300/2.8 at or near wide open except for bright light when the subject is far enough away to give me the DOF needed, otherwise using it stopped down is a must, so I wish I had this zoom as the extra glass of the f/2.8 goes unused most of the time (well, I really wish I had the 100-300/2.8 zoom for the flexibility it would give me allowing me to use it many X more than I do my prime, but Sigma just refuses to release that in Pentax mount, so the little brother is the only choice.)

Thanx for the pix. Great to look at.

pcarfan · 06-01-2009, 05:05 PM

All these shots are stunning, although that monkey's butt shot is something that I could have lived without

More of my favorites (small size to make the loading easier...even though they really should be larger)

borno · 06-01-2009, 07:37 PM

A very nice lens

I haven't had mine long. Here are a couple from last week. The first one is with the 1.7x afa and I use the aperture ring because with the afa the f-stop isn't right if I let the body close down the lens. The kenko 1.5x I usually use works great though. (very little IQ loss).

no TC

This Heron decided that this Shad he found was too big to swallow (or was too old) and found a big crappie instead

borno · 06-01-2009, 07:42 PM

Seems to focus fast too

Big G · 06-02-2009, 04:49 AM

Wonderful images, absolutely flawless.

I've had my eye on this lens for a while, my dad and I are talking about paying half each and investing in this lens.

Everything I read about the 100-300 has been positive and the images speak for themselves - even the Canon and Nikon owners are falling over themselves about how good it is. I agree with the OP, it's not easy to pick a lens in this range because I feel that there are some that are great in some areas and not others.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but the image circle of this lens would cover a full frame? That future proofs it for any Pentax FF body down the line, where as if I go for the DA* 60-250 or the DA* 300's smaller image circle then you somewhat limit yourself unless you've got plenty of money.

I need this lens!

05-31-2009, 07:29 AM	#1
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF: Post your favorites taken with this lens. I think this is an amazing lens. It has fared well in all reviews even when compared to primes in all systems. This range is covered with various primes at 135mm, 200mm and 300mm. It is a difficult decision to pick a lens in this range. Now, the Pentax 60-250 is also competing with this lens. IMO, the Pentax has the advantage over the color rendering (Pentax coating I believe), but the sigma has better sharpness even wide open. Bokeh and contrast is even, but overall rendering may get a slight nudge towards the Pentax 60-250. (This is my opinion, yours might vary...). Anyhow, I don't see many images from this lens. I am posting some of my best examples as voted by my peers (PPG) . All of these images were PP in CS2. Please post some of your favorites taken with this lens....If I am looking for a lens in this range today, I will still choose the same..... Now, one with the bower 2X TC at 600mm Last edited by pcarfan; 05-31-2009 at 07:46 AM.

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05-31-2009, 11:04 AM	#2
ballgofar Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 87	Wow! Incredible shots. How did you manage to get that close to an eagle?

05-31-2009, 11:47 AM	#3
Piotr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	Originally posted by pcarfan Anyhow, I don't see many images from this lens. I am posting some of my best examples as voted by my peers (PPG) . All of these images were PP in CS2. Please post some of your favorites taken with this lens....If I am looking for a lens in this range today, I will still choose the same..... great shots This lens is part of my kit in all my trips for last four years. I use it always with TC1.4. Pentax PENTAX K20D,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/500s f/5.6 at 300.0mm iso400 Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/320s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso320 Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/800s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso200 Pentax K20D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/160s f/5.0 at 300.0mm iso400 Pentax K10D ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/400s f/5.0 at 250.0mm iso400 Pentax ist DS ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX 1/20s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso200 Pentax ist DS ,Sigma 100-300mm f4 EX +TC1.4 1/60s f/4.5 at 300.0mm iso400

05-31-2009, 12:20 PM	#4
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	Originally posted by ballgofar Wow! Incredible shots. How did you manage to get that close to an eagle? Bought a ticket to the ZOO and significant cropping. I am not a real nature photographer yet, only the zoo so far, and my backyard.

05-31-2009, 12:23 PM	#5
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	Piotr, Ther are some incredible shots there, wow!

05-31-2009, 07:45 PM	#6
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	All at 300mm, f/4, f/4.5 or f/5: An exceptional lens. .

05-31-2009, 09:27 PM	#7
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	can I play too? from a Recent trip to Ki.

05-31-2009, 09:41 PM	#8
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Some fantastic shots guys. I have not shot with this lens, but want to now. Jay, what is up with the Canon shooter? His flash is up in good light

05-31-2009, 09:50 PM	#9
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by Jewelltrail Jay, what is up with the Canon shooter? His flash is up in good light Well, I think we all know the Canon people are challenged in many ways. It's often best to just lead them by the hand to a helpful authority figure and let them be.

06-01-2009, 04:54 AM	#10
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	Something a bit different (although it loses out somewhat in lowering the resolution for the web, and being displayed on a white ground, rather than a black one...)... From the Burren in Ireland

06-01-2009, 07:39 AM	#11
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	You giez are making me wish I bought this lens for its zoom instead of the Sigma 300mm I got. <rant on> Fact is, when I was rushing in the summer of 2007 to get a good long lens for an epic trip (see my sig lol) I would have this if Cameta Camera here on LI wouldn't have screwed me by sitting on my special order, delaying in talking to Sigma just figuratively down the street from them, attempting to order it 5 days after I gave them the $500 down payment; this after Sigma told me to go to them and expedite the order from Cameta to Sigma. By the time Cameta ordered the one lens Sigma said they had available, it was gone and there were no more to be had in the US. Geez, never dealing with them again. <rant off > Anyhoo, finally realizing I won't get great photos from a 300/2.8 at or near wide open except for bright light when the subject is far enough away to give me the DOF needed, otherwise using it stopped down is a must, so I wish I had this zoom as the extra glass of the f/2.8 goes unused most of the time (well, I really wish I had the 100-300/2.8 zoom for the flexibility it would give me allowing me to use it many X more than I do my prime, but Sigma just refuses to release that in Pentax mount, so the little brother is the only choice.) Thanx for the pix. Great to look at.

06-01-2009, 05:05 PM	#12
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	All these shots are stunning, although that monkey's butt shot is something that I could have lived without More of my favorites (small size to make the loading easier...even though they really should be larger)

06-01-2009, 07:37 PM	#13
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	A very nice lens I haven't had mine long. Here are a couple from last week. The first one is with the 1.7x afa and I use the aperture ring because with the afa the f-stop isn't right if I let the body close down the lens. The kenko 1.5x I usually use works great though. (very little IQ loss). no TC This Heron decided that this Shad he found was too big to swallow (or was too old) and found a big crappie instead

06-01-2009, 07:42 PM	#14
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Seems to focus fast too

06-02-2009, 04:49 AM	#15
Big G Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 581	Wonderful images, absolutely flawless. I've had my eye on this lens for a while, my dad and I are talking about paying half each and investing in this lens. Everything I read about the 100-300 has been positive and the images speak for themselves - even the Canon and Nikon owners are falling over themselves about how good it is. I agree with the OP, it's not easy to pick a lens in this range because I feel that there are some that are great in some areas and not others. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the image circle of this lens would cover a full frame? That future proofs it for any Pentax FF body down the line, where as if I go for the DA* 60-250 or the DA* 300's smaller image circle then you somewhat limit yourself unless you've got plenty of money. I need this lens!