Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG

gibikote · 03-28-2013, 05:21 AM

Hi
I would like to hear as to how the Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG performs; if I do get one (have found a potential seller) I plan to use it for bird photography.
If its performance is nearly equal to the DG version, it should be alright with a TC (which would be required) is what I have read on the forum.
Or should I instead think of a 400/500 zoom?
I presently use a Tokina 400/5.6 sometimes with the 1.7x and wish to upgrade to get more % of 'keeps'.
Also, would the non-DG sell for a very different price than the DG?
Thanks in advance.

kenafein · 03-28-2013, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by gibikote

Hi
I would like to hear as to how the Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG performs; if I do get one (have found a potential seller) I plan to use it for bird photography.
If its performance is nearly equal to the DG version, it should be alright with a TC (which would be required) is what I have read on the forum.
Or should I instead think of a 400/500 zoom?
I presently use a Tokina 400/5.6 sometimes with the 1.7x and wish to upgrade to get more % of 'keeps'.
Also, would the non-DG sell for a very different price than the DG?
Thanks in advance.

I sold a Non-DG awhile back. The DG is supposed to indicate it has coatings for Digital, but I only ever used it on digital and it was a stellar performer. I never used it with a TC. I would think that your 400/5.6 should be better than using a TC on the Sigma though. A 1.4x TC is probably your best bet to keep quality up.

gibikote · 03-28-2013, 09:56 PM

thanks kenafein.

gibikote · 04-19-2013, 07:00 AM

I acquired the lens I was stalking and have got to use it on a few outings.
Have posted a couple of pics on the gallery, and am quite pleased.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/14876-gibikote/albums/6712-sigma-100-300-f4/

Have yet to get fully used to the lens, its sweet spot, strengths/weaknesses (hopefully not obvious) etc.
My initial observation was that when coupled with the 1.7x TC, the images were not as good, but its early days as yet...

Regards,
Sridhar

Last edited by gibikote; 04-19-2013 at 07:06 AM.

kenafein · 04-19-2013, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by gibikote

I acquired the lens I was stalking and have got to use it on a few outings.
Have posted a couple of pics on the gallery, and am quite pleased.

gibikote's Album: Sigma 100-300 F4 - PentaxForums.com

Have yet to get fully used to the lens, its sweet spot, strengths/weaknesses (hopefully not obvious) etc.
My initial observation was that when coupled with the 1.7x TC, the images were not as good, but its early days as yet...

Regards,
Sridhar

Congrats on getting the lens. It's a very good one. Are you using the Pentax 1.7 tc? Or a third party? A TC will always lead to loss of quality, but some are better than others. Another TC to look for would be the Sigma 1.4x.

**Digitalis** · 04-20-2013, 06:14 AM

I don't have any empirical proof but I wouldn't think the DG version has any real advantage over the non DG version of this lens - the flare tolerance of this lens is below average compared to pentax lenses covering similar focal lengths.

Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG

03-28-2013, 05:21 AM	#1
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83	Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG Hi I would like to hear as to how the Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG performs; if I do get one (have found a potential seller) I plan to use it for bird photography. If its performance is nearly equal to the DG version, it should be alright with a TC (which would be required) is what I have read on the forum. Or should I instead think of a 400/500 zoom? I presently use a Tokina 400/5.6 sometimes with the 1.7x and wish to upgrade to get more % of 'keeps'. Also, would the non-DG sell for a very different price than the DG? Thanks in advance.

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03-28-2013, 09:20 AM	#2
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by gibikote Hi I would like to hear as to how the Sigma 100-300mm f4 non-DG performs; if I do get one (have found a potential seller) I plan to use it for bird photography. If its performance is nearly equal to the DG version, it should be alright with a TC (which would be required) is what I have read on the forum. Or should I instead think of a 400/500 zoom? I presently use a Tokina 400/5.6 sometimes with the 1.7x and wish to upgrade to get more % of 'keeps'. Also, would the non-DG sell for a very different price than the DG? Thanks in advance. I sold a Non-DG awhile back. The DG is supposed to indicate it has coatings for Digital, but I only ever used it on digital and it was a stellar performer. I never used it with a TC. I would think that your 400/5.6 should be better than using a TC on the Sigma though. A 1.4x TC is probably your best bet to keep quality up.

03-28-2013, 09:56 PM	#3
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	thanks kenafein.

04-19-2013, 07:00 AM	#4
gibikote Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vellore, India Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 83 Original Poster	I acquired the lens I was stalking and have got to use it on a few outings. Have posted a couple of pics on the gallery, and am quite pleased. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/14876-gibikote/albums/6712-sigma-100-300-f4/ Have yet to get fully used to the lens, its sweet spot, strengths/weaknesses (hopefully not obvious) etc. My initial observation was that when coupled with the 1.7x TC, the images were not as good, but its early days as yet... Regards, Sridhar Last edited by gibikote; 04-19-2013 at 07:06 AM.

04-19-2013, 07:39 AM	#5
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by gibikote I acquired the lens I was stalking and have got to use it on a few outings. Have posted a couple of pics on the gallery, and am quite pleased. gibikote's Album: Sigma 100-300 F4 - PentaxForums.com Have yet to get fully used to the lens, its sweet spot, strengths/weaknesses (hopefully not obvious) etc. My initial observation was that when coupled with the 1.7x TC, the images were not as good, but its early days as yet... Regards, Sridhar Congrats on getting the lens. It's a very good one. Are you using the Pentax 1.7 tc? Or a third party? A TC will always lead to loss of quality, but some are better than others. Another TC to look for would be the Sigma 1.4x.

04-20-2013, 06:14 AM	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I don't have any empirical proof but I wouldn't think the DG version has any real advantage over the non DG version of this lens - the flare tolerance of this lens is below average compared to pentax lenses covering similar focal lengths. Pentax K5IIs - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG