Buy Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO HSM Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR CamerasSigma 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG APO HSM Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras Product Description:
- From 300mm telephoto to 800mm ultra-telephoto
- Constant fast f5.6 maximum aperture and is optimized for digital SLR cameras
- 8.2 to 3.1 degree angle of view takes a lot of the footwork out of picture composition
- Multilayer coating and design reduce flare and ghost for optimum color balance
- 2 ELD glass elements reduce chromatic aberration and ensure sharp, quality images of high contrast
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
61 of 64 people found the following review helpful.
By Michael A. Hays
This is an awesome lens and is a real must-have for birdwatching and other nature photography. The zoom range is extremely flexible and the f-stop reasonably fast, but keep in mind that this is a very, very specialized lens. First of all, yes, it is gigantic! This is not something you'll be carrying around day-to-day. It can be very challenging to get sharp pictures at focal lengths beyond 400mm or so. You MUST MUST MUST use a sturdy, high-end tripod and gimbal head. This will also preclude the "downward fall" described in another review. The lens alone is very heavy, and once you toss in a sturdy tripod you're talking 25+ pounds of equipment at a minimum; this is really going to limit your mobility and affect the way you shoot. It takes a lot of forethought to use this lens, but I prefer to think of that as an advantage.When used properly, this lens has fantastic image quality -- very sharp, excellent contrast. When I say sharp, I am talking L-series sharp, even wide open. The HSM focus speed is fast, perhaps slightly slower than Canon's USM but not appreciably so. The only thing it's really missing is image stabilization (or optical stabilization, as Sigma calls it), which would really help out on those long shots. This is a minor limitation, though, to a great lens. If you have the discipline to learn how to use this lens properly (and if you can afford it!), you'll reap some great rewards.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
By Gary Mayo
First off, this lens is no toy. It is a serious tool. One of the reviews here is not taking into account the persons ability to know how to use a lens like this. If you do not know how to use the lens, the lens can be no better than the photographer.This lens requires support. That can be in the form of a heavy tripod and gimbal head, or it can be in the form of bean bags. Bags over the lens and well as under it.A 800mm lens can see the effects of a 3 mph wind going gently by. Would not doubt it would see the effects of a bug landing on it. This lens needs substantial support. It could also benefit from mirror lock up, and a remote shutter, or a delayed timer.If you are not going to take the time to learn how to use it, and then take the time to set it up, do not bother getting this lens. It will do you no good at all. Stick with the kit lens that came with your camera.However, if you are a pro, this is a serious pro lens. It will knock your socks off! No other lens on the planet will do what this lens will do. 300-800mm Zoom in a constant f/1:5.6. Simply a dream lens!As for that other reviewer, enjoy your kit lenses.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
By Jonathan Smithers
I have been using the Canon version of this lens & it is sharp wide open!! No stop down required unless you need DOF! Focus is fast & accurate. The first thing I did was do a true test of it's sharpness wide open & it's sharp. It does take some practice & wow it is not soft at 300 or 800mm in anyway. I use it with a Manfrotto Wilderness Tripod mounted to a Jobu J3 3 Gimbal kit ..... absolutely perfect. On the Jr 3 I Had to remove the drop down & mount the RRS quick release direct. I have been shooting warblers, chickadees, junkos, eagles & pileated woodpeckers. Sometimes I have to back off down to 500mm to frame a bird right .... try that with a 600-800mm prime. Also do video with an EF 2x II converter attached & still tack sharp! Had this lens for 7 months now & it will have to be pryed from my cold dead hands! I carry it attached to the tripod over the shoulder. I bought this lens used & use it with my 7D. I also use a Sigma 120-300mm OS .... another superb sharp lens!Cheers, JonPileated video with 7D & Sigmonster. Do a search on YouTube for it : )[...]
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