SIGMA APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX HSM

300-800mm super telephoto zoom lens

A review and photo examples of the SIGMA APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX HSM.

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Gallery

The sample photos were taken with the SIGMA SD9.

1．Overview

The SIGMA APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX HSM is a super telephoto autofocus (AF) zoom lens made by Sigma and released in 2003.

It has a lens configuration of 18 elements in 16 groups, an ultrasonic motor (HSM), 9 aperture blades, an aperture value of F5.6, a minimum shooting distance of 7m, a weight of 5.9kg, and a tripod mount that cannot be removed.

Although there is no IF in the name, the lens length does not change during operation due to internal focus.

The compatible lens mounts for the non-DG version are definitely Sigma SA and Canon EF, Nikon F is unknown, and no other mounts have been released.
The DG version with updated lens coating was released in 2005 for Sigma SA mount, Canon EF mount, and Nikon F mount, and in 2006 for Four Thirds. It seems that the PENTAX and SONY versions have not been released.

Accessories include a case and a cylindrical hood (LH1571-02), and the list price is 850,000 yen (excluding tax).

2．Usage

The SIGMA APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX HSM is a zoom lens that has been redesigned from the APO 800mm F5.6 EX HSM, a prime lens.

The focal length can be set between 300mm and 800mm, making it more flexible and convenient.

However, the downside is that it is 1kg heavier and 20mm longer than a prime 800mm lens.

The advantage of a zoom lens is that if the AF focus can be set exactly where you want it, you can concentrate on creating the composition by zooming. However, since the camera I was using was a SIGMA SD9 + borrowed lens and I was not able to understand its quirks, I had difficulty focusing at the desired position with AF, so I fixed the focal length and fine-tuned the focus with the focus ring.

If you use a 1.4x teleconverter to make it a 420-1120mm F8 lens, it will be equivalent to a 714-1904mm F8 lens in 35mm format. I used it in MF without a teleconverter, so it’s perfectly usable in environments with plenty of natural light. However, when it gets a little darker, the blurring doesn’t stop.

My impression after using both was that the 300-800 zoom lens was more susceptible to blurring than the 800mm prime lens, and the photographic results tended to be less sharp. This may be an issue that can be avoided with some training on the part of the photographer.

The differences between the 406mm and 800mm are as follows:

3．Add info.

I’ve seen the 300-800mm F5.6 zoom (hereafter referred to as 300-800Z) in EF and Nikon-F on the used market, but I’ve never seen one in Sigma-SA or Four Thirds.

Yes, this lens was released in a Four Thirds mount version, as shown in the link. As with other Sigma lenses, the lens body is the same, and only the mount and control chip are changed, but I think it’s amazing that Sigma decided to release a Four Thirds version. Although it’s no different from cropping, it seems quite difficult to shoot 600mm to 1600mm with a viewfinder that is limited by the sensor size of a Four Thirds camera.

Sigma releases unique lenses that other manufacturers don’t plan. The 300-800Z reigned in Sigma’s lens lineup alongside the 200-500mm F2.8 zoom. Since the mirrorless era began, cameras have been moving towards higher-end lenses, and as such unusual lenses are no longer being released, with Canon making its presence felt with cheaper telephoto lenses such as the RF200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM and RF800mm F11 IS STM. I would like to see Sigma make a comeback with a lens such as the 500-1000mm F10.

Specification

Focal length(mm)	800	300-800
Max aperture	5.6	5.6
Min aperture	32	32
Lens Construction	13 elements in 11 groups	18 elements in 16 groups
Aperture blade	9	9
Min distance(m)	7	6
Lens length(mm) SIGMA-SA	521	544
Max diameter(mm)	156.5	156.5
Filter Size(mm)	46(rear)	46(rear)
Hood	LH1571-01	LH1571-02
Weight(g) SIGMA-SA	4900	5880
Release date	1999 2005(DG)	2003 2005(DG)
Price(Yen/No-tax)	¥750,000-	¥850,000-