Sigma 100-300 F4 APO EX DG

TenZ.NL · 06-25-2012, 02:19 PM

No introduction needed for this one and a shame it has been discontinued.
If you are looking for a serious zoomlens in this range and you can get it, don`t hesitate.
It`s sharp, well build and even wide open allready usefull. And, important for wildlife shooters, it focusses fast and can take a good amount of rain.

Some testshots I made when I got this baby right out of the shop, if you click trough to Flickr fullsize resolution (4672x3104, sooc) is available.
K20d with sigma 100-300F4 on tripod, 2sec selftimer with MLU, iso200

1: 100mm F4

2: 300mm F4

3: 300mm F5.6

4: 300mm F8

And some fieldshots:

5: PENTAX K-5
1/200"
F4.5
Aperture priority
500
+0.3EV
CenterWeightedAverage
300mm

6: PENTAX K20D
1/800"
F4.5
Aperture priority
400
+0.7EV
CenterWeightedAverage
300mm

7:PENTAX K-5
1/1000"
F4
Aperture priority
80
+0.7EV
CenterWeightedAverage
260mm

8:PENTAX K-5
1/500"
F5
Aperture priority
250
±0EV
Pattern
280mm

9:PENTAX K-5
1/500"
F5.6
Aperture priority
400
CenterWeightedAverage
300mm

10: PENTAX K-5
1/1600"
F5.6
Aperture priority
160
+0.3EV
CenterWeightedAverage
220mm

Lets see some more

Jacco

Last edited by TenZ.NL; 06-25-2012 at 02:27 PM.

Ponosby Britt · 07-07-2012, 10:33 PM

A "videographer" between the stage and press box at a B-52's concert. 300mm, f/4, 1/500, ISO 6400. Unfortunately, his Battery was almost fully charged.

TenZ.NL · 07-15-2012, 12:25 AM

Nice shot

TenZ.NL · 08-01-2012, 08:37 AM

No other sigma 100-300 F4 owners? What a shame, it is such a beauty

Shot this last weekend:

K-5
0.001 sec (1/800)
f/5.6
300 mm
ISO 200
+1 EV

Aquiring target

Last edited by TenZ.NL; 08-01-2012 at 09:52 AM.

liukaitc · 08-02-2012, 09:20 PM

from your sample, f4 already very sharp. I do not see difference by stop down.

Ponosby Britt · 08-02-2012, 11:58 PM

300/4 plus Kenko 1.5 Pz-AF TC. K-5 at ISO 6400. Rear of theater, slight crop, about 25%.

TenZ.NL · 08-04-2012, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by liukaitc

from your sample, f4 already very sharp. I do not see difference by stop down.

Yes, F4 is more than usable. And that`s also good for low ISOvalues.

Originally posted by Ponosby Britt

300/4 plus Kenko 1.5 Pz-AF TC. K-5 at ISO 6400. Rear of theater, slight crop, about 25%.

That Kenko seems a lot better than my sigma 1.4 APO, looks like a very good result for iso6400.
Nice shot, what distance are we talking here?

**dadipentak** · 08-04-2012, 10:29 AM

Oh, yes it's a very nice lens. I've posted a bunch of shots with mine. I use it primarily for field sports but it's also the long lens I take with me (with the 1.4x TC) on trips.

China

Cancun (100% crop)

Quebec

Ponosby Britt · 08-05-2012, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by TenZ.NL

Yes, F4 is more than usable. And that`s also good for low ISOvalues.

That Kenko seems a lot better than my sigma 1.4 APO, looks like a very good result for iso6400.
Nice shot, what distance are we talking here?

Rear of the theater, maybe 90 to 100 Feet.

TenZ.NL · 10-27-2012, 04:03 AM

Missed your reply somehow, thanks for the intel. The distance makes it even more impressive.

@ Dave: Nice shots, I love that first one!

Some more entries:

Family business 1/6 (Explored)

Family business 3/6

Turnstone

With sigma 1.4x APO TC

Robbery or dental care? pt. II (Explored)

**wtlwdwgn** · 10-27-2012, 02:34 PM

It certainly is a shame it was discontinued. If Sigma made the Pentax mount version with HSM I would've kept mine. It's the only C specific lens I use on my 1D Mk II N and the HSM makes it sing.

Mike.P® · 05-13-2013, 02:12 PM

Just acquired another copy of this lens, sold my first one last year as I was using the 60-250mm a lot more.

From the first one I had.

Quick test shot with new lens (Sigma 2x teleconverter attached)

**Lowell Goudge** · 05-13-2013, 02:35 PM

Does it AF with the 2x TC?

I use the 2x a lot with my 70-200 /2.8 EX (non DG non macro) with great results, always looking for more length

TenZ.NL · 05-14-2013, 09:52 AM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

Just acquired another copy of this lens, sold my first one last year as I was using the 60-250mm a lot more.

From the first one I had.

Quick test shot with new lens (Sigma 2x teleconverter attached)

Nice shots!

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

Does it AF with the 2x TC?

I use the 2x a lot with my 70-200 /2.8 EX (non DG non macro) with great results, always looking for more length

I guess not, the 2x TC gives a 2 stop lightloss which results in 600mm F8. AFAIK autofocus only works up to F5.6 (except for some highend C/N models).

joe.penn · 05-14-2013, 10:25 AM

Here are a few shot with this lens:

Greater Yellow Legs:

My Lab playing in the river yesterday:

06-25-2012, 02:19 PM	#1
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Sigma 100-300 F4 APO EX DG No introduction needed for this one and a shame it has been discontinued. If you are looking for a serious zoomlens in this range and you can get it, don`t hesitate. It`s sharp, well build and even wide open allready usefull. And, important for wildlife shooters, it focusses fast and can take a good amount of rain. Some testshots I made when I got this baby right out of the shop, if you click trough to Flickr fullsize resolution (4672x3104, sooc) is available. K20d with sigma 100-300F4 on tripod, 2sec selftimer with MLU, iso200 1: 100mm F4 2: 300mm F4 3: 300mm F5.6 4: 300mm F8 And some fieldshots: 5: PENTAX K-5 1/200" F4.5 Aperture priority 500 +0.3EV CenterWeightedAverage 300mm 6: PENTAX K20D 1/800" F4.5 Aperture priority 400 +0.7EV CenterWeightedAverage 300mm 7:PENTAX K-5 1/1000" F4 Aperture priority 80 +0.7EV CenterWeightedAverage 260mm 8:PENTAX K-5 1/500" F5 Aperture priority 250 ±0EV Pattern 280mm 9:PENTAX K-5 1/500" F5.6 Aperture priority 400 CenterWeightedAverage 300mm 10: PENTAX K-5 1/1600" F5.6 Aperture priority 160 +0.3EV CenterWeightedAverage 220mm Lets see some more Jacco Last edited by TenZ.NL; 06-25-2012 at 02:27 PM.

07-07-2012, 10:33 PM	#2
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	Picture of a Picture A "videographer" between the stage and press box at a B-52's concert. 300mm, f/4, 1/500, ISO 6400. Unfortunately, his Battery was almost fully charged. Last edited by Ponosby Britt; 11-20-2012 at 01:10 AM.

08-02-2012, 11:58 PM	#6
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	300/4 plus Kenko 1.5 Pz-AF TC. K-5 at ISO 6400. Rear of theater, slight crop, about 25%. Last edited by Ponosby Britt; 11-20-2012 at 01:10 AM.

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07-15-2012, 12:25 AM	#3
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	Nice shot

08-01-2012, 08:37 AM	#4
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	No other sigma 100-300 F4 owners? What a shame, it is such a beauty Shot this last weekend: K-5 0.001 sec (1/800) f/5.6 300 mm ISO 200 +1 EV Aquiring target Last edited by TenZ.NL; 08-01-2012 at 09:52 AM.

08-02-2012, 09:20 PM	#5
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	from your sample, f4 already very sharp. I do not see difference by stop down.

08-04-2012, 10:03 AM	#7
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	Originally posted by liukaitc from your sample, f4 already very sharp. I do not see difference by stop down. Yes, F4 is more than usable. And that`s also good for low ISOvalues. Originally posted by Ponosby Britt 300/4 plus Kenko 1.5 Pz-AF TC. K-5 at ISO 6400. Rear of theater, slight crop, about 25%. That Kenko seems a lot better than my sigma 1.4 APO, looks like a very good result for iso6400. Nice shot, what distance are we talking here?

08-04-2012, 10:29 AM	#8
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Oh, yes it's a very nice lens. I've posted a bunch of shots with mine. I use it primarily for field sports but it's also the long lens I take with me (with the 1.4x TC) on trips. China Cancun (100% crop) Quebec

08-05-2012, 12:45 AM	#9
Ponosby Britt Closed Account Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 227	Originally posted by TenZ.NL Yes, F4 is more than usable. And that`s also good for low ISOvalues. That Kenko seems a lot better than my sigma 1.4 APO, looks like a very good result for iso6400. Nice shot, what distance are we talking here? Rear of the theater, maybe 90 to 100 Feet.

10-27-2012, 04:03 AM	#10
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	Missed your reply somehow, thanks for the intel. The distance makes it even more impressive. @ Dave: Nice shots, I love that first one! Some more entries: Family business 1/6 (Explored) Family business 3/6 Turnstone With sigma 1.4x APO TC Robbery or dental care? pt. II (Explored)

10-27-2012, 02:34 PM	#11
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838	It certainly is a shame it was discontinued. If Sigma made the Pentax mount version with HSM I would've kept mine. It's the only C specific lens I use on my 1D Mk II N and the HSM makes it sing.

05-13-2013, 02:12 PM	#12
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Just acquired another copy of this lens, sold my first one last year as I was using the 60-250mm a lot more. From the first one I had. Quick test shot with new lens (Sigma 2x teleconverter attached)

05-13-2013, 02:35 PM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Does it AF with the 2x TC? I use the 2x a lot with my 70-200 /2.8 EX (non DG non macro) with great results, always looking for more length

05-14-2013, 09:52 AM	#14
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike.P® Just acquired another copy of this lens, sold my first one last year as I was using the 60-250mm a lot more. From the first one I had. Quick test shot with new lens (Sigma 2x teleconverter attached) Nice shots! Originally posted by Lowell Goudge Does it AF with the 2x TC? I use the 2x a lot with my 70-200 /2.8 EX (non DG non macro) with great results, always looking for more length I guess not, the 2x TC gives a 2 stop lightloss which results in 600mm F8. AFAIK autofocus only works up to F5.6 (except for some highend C/N models).

05-14-2013, 10:25 AM	#15
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Here are a few shot with this lens: Greater Yellow Legs: My Lab playing in the river yesterday: