Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm a professional photographer[...] and until now, have never owned anything but Canon or Nikon lenses. For years I specialized in sports photography and the lenses I most often used were a 400 f:2.8 and a 600 f:4. I moved on to other fields of specialty and decided I didn't want to lug around that kind of weight and got rid of the big glass. Now, several years later, I decided I needed a long lens again, but in a decidedly smaller package. After trying an unnamed top manufacturer's 80~400 lens and being unhappy with the quality of the image, I dared to try Sigma's new 120~400. I ran the lens through the ringer and tested it under every situation I could think of and through it all, it has performed flawlessly! In fact, I was ready to accept a little less sharpness, so when I evaluated my results, I was thrilled. I highly recommend this lens and I have the utmost confidence in this beautiful package of glass.

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The Sigma 120-400mm telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range of up to 400mm, letting you bring almost any subject close for short-perspective shots. The lens employs Sigma's original Optical Stabilizer (OS) function, which gives you access to shutter speeds approximately four stops slower without blurring the image. As a result, you can capture low-light, long-distance shots such as football plays, wildlife profiles, and landscape scenes without using a tripod for each photo. In addition, the lens incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for quick, high-speed autofocusing, along with a rear focus system that guarantees optimum image quality throughout the entire zoom range. And photographers will love the three special low dispersion (SLD) glass elements, which correct for chromatic aberration, and the super multilayer lens coating, which reduces flare and ghosting. Other details include a minimum focusing distance of 59.1 inches, a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.2, and support for optical 1.4x EX DG APO and 2x EX DG APO tele converters.
Specifications
Focal length: 120-400mm
Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
Lens construction: 21 elements in 15 groups
Angle of view: 20.4 to 6.2 degrees
Number of diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum aperture: f/22
Minimum focusing distance: 59.1 inches
Maximum magnification: 1:4.2
Filter size: 77mm
Hood type: Bayonet
Mount: Nikon
Dimensions: 3.6 inches in diameter and 8 inches long
Weight: 61.7 ounces
Warranty: 1 year

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Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a sweet little lens that really has no middle ground. You either love it or hate it. Most of the haters really either expect too much from this lens such as focusing in no light or on objects with no contrast and marginal light. The other reason there are detractors come from focus issues.
This seems to be a user problem in my opinion. When you shoot at f 1.4, the area in focus can be pretty shallow. An example is at f1.4 and at a distance of 5 feet, the areas in focus is just .45 feet. If you have a DSLR with multiple focus points, you might find what you want in focus is not selected by the camera. This gives the impression of a focus issue with the lens which it is not.
If you move into close focusing such as 2 feet using f1.4, the focus area becomes less than ¾ of an inch. Even the slightest movement by you or the subject can blow the focus. Again, this is not a lens problem but a user issue.
However, don't be discouraged by the above comments. This lens has so many possibilities from creative images to group portraits to low light photography. You just need to put in a little effort to learn the lens (and your DSLR). Also remember that stopped down to f4 at 10' gives you 5.45 feet in focus.
The 30mm lens also is about as close to a 50mm lens on a 35mm film SLR as there is. A 50mm lens was considered the de facto standard for an SLR in the old days and many people never had anything else. This is a very versatile lens.
The lens itself has an excellent build quality and includes extras such as a lens hood and case. It is sharp and offers great contrast and compares well against such a well regarded lens as the Canon 35mm f1.4L which is about 3 times the price.
You will not be disappointed in this lens at all and I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorite everyday lenses for my Canon 20D. (My everyday kit includs the Canon 17-40mm f4L, 70-200mm f4L, and a Canon 580ex flash.)

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Designed to match the APS-C size image sensors of Nikon digital SLR cameras, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens is an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting, and landscape photography. The 30mm lens relies on two special-low-dispersion glass elements and a glass-mold aspherical lens. Combined, the construction details correct for all types of chromatic and color aberrations. The lens is also equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that supports quiet, high-speed autofocus, but also turns off should you prefer full-time manual focusing. Other features include a maximum aperture of f/1.4, a 62mm filter mount, and a one-year warranty.
Specifications
Focal length: 30mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.4
Lens construction: 7 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view: 45 degrees (SD format)
Number of diaphragm blades: 8
Minimum aperture: f/16
Minimum focusing distance: 15.7 inches
Maximum magnification: 1:10.4
Filter size: 62mm
Corresponding AF mounts: Nikon
Dimensions: 2.97 inches in diameter and 2.3 inches long
Weight: 15.2 ounces
Warranty: 1 year

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