Opinions on Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM

kh_drew · 17th November 2002

Hi all,

has anyone tried using the above lens on a Nikon body? I'm looking for a telephoto of this range but the Nikkor 300 f/2.8 is way above my price range.

Is HSM the equivalent of AF-S? I'm using F4 body so this Sigma should be able to AF silently with the F4 right? Thinking of mating it with the sigma 1.4 or 2.0 converter.

how does the price compare with the Nikkor f/4 AF-S? I got a quote of $1950 for the Nikkor from Jn 3:16 but didn't ask them about the Sigma.

all opinions appreciated! thanks!

by the way I love the 1st sentence of this review:

http://www.photo.net/nikon/300-2.8

andrew

Jed · 18th November 2002

I had an extended play with one yesterday on a D60, which by all accounts doesn't have that great autofocus so should be for all intents and purposes similar to one for use on the Nikon.

The lens is very small, and very light. Very very small, and very very light. I didn't have time to do a proper side-by-side with another 300, but i suspect that it might possibly be slower (as in, not true 2.8) than marked.

Focus is nippy enough on the D60, I wouldn't consider it a problem. Didn't test it with an L lens on that body, but it isn't as fast as the 300/2.8L on the EOS1s. Also not as fast as the AF-S 300/2.8L on Nikon bodies, even the D100.

Problem with the Sigma is that HSM is not FTM, it is with single servo AF, but not with continuous, but that's really when you want it to be FTM.

Price wise, over here it's about 1.3x the price of the AF-S 80-200. That's about S$4000. Which is an awful good price for a 300/2.8. Although if you don't need the faster focusing, I'm sure you can find a very very good condition Nikon AF-D for that price.

17th November 2002	#1
kh_drew Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 417	Opinions on Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM Hi all, has anyone tried using the above lens on a Nikon body? I'm looking for a telephoto of this range but the Nikkor 300 f/2.8 is way above my price range. Is HSM the equivalent of AF-S? I'm using F4 body so this Sigma should be able to AF silently with the F4 right? Thinking of mating it with the sigma 1.4 or 2.0 converter. how does the price compare with the Nikkor f/4 AF-S? I got a quote of $1950 for the Nikkor from Jn 3:16 but didn't ask them about the Sigma. all opinions appreciated! thanks! by the way I love the 1st sentence of this review: http://www.photo.net/nikon/300-2.8 andrew

18th November 2002	#2
Jed Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,082	I had an extended play with one yesterday on a D60, which by all accounts doesn't have that great autofocus so should be for all intents and purposes similar to one for use on the Nikon. The lens is very small, and very light. Very very small, and very very light. I didn't have time to do a proper side-by-side with another 300, but i suspect that it might possibly be slower (as in, not true 2.8) than marked. Focus is nippy enough on the D60, I wouldn't consider it a problem. Didn't test it with an L lens on that body, but it isn't as fast as the 300/2.8L on the EOS1s. Also not as fast as the AF-S 300/2.8L on Nikon bodies, even the D100. Problem with the Sigma is that HSM is not FTM, it is with single servo AF, but not with continuous, but that's really when you want it to be FTM. Price wise, over here it's about 1.3x the price of the AF-S 80-200. That's about S$4000. Which is an awful good price for a 300/2.8. Although if you don't need the faster focusing, I'm sure you can find a very very good condition Nikon AF-D for that price.