- Compact high performance zoom lens with a 10.7x high zoom ratio, 28 to 300-millimeter focal length
- Special low dispersion glass and aspherical lenses produce high level of optical performance
- 19.7-inch minimum focusing distance with macro mechanism for close-up photography at full zoom
- Zoom lock device prevents zoom setting from being changed inadvertently
- Designed for Nikon digital SLR cameras
Product Description
This digitally optimized zoom lens provides a high zoom magnification of 10.7x. The new lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance. The 10.7x zoom ratio covers a wide range of focal length from wide angle to tele-photo making this a highly versatile lens ideally suited for many types of photography. This lens features two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and four Aspherical Lenses, to produce a high level of optical performance. Aspherical lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberration while making a very compact construction possible. The 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 DG MACRO lens has a minimum focusing distance of 50cm at all focal lengths and is equipped with a macro mechanism for close-up photography at 300mm telephoto, allowing a reproduction ratio of 1:3. The zoom lock switch eliminates “zoom creep” during transportation, a convenient addition when traveling. The inner focusing system gives the advantage of a non-rotating front lens assembly, which is of great benefit when using polarizing filter and the matched Petal-shaped lens hood supplied.
RonAnnArbor @ 2:06 am
I like this lens – even though I don’t find myself using it as much as I did for awhile. My Nikon 18-200VR has replaced the usefulness of this lens, especially since upgrading to the D200 where the 10 megapixels allow you to zoom to the 200 point and then crop. Still, this is a solid lens, it has a nice size and weight, and the focal range is terrific. No problems noted at either the 28 or 300 focal points, but sharpest image is between 100 and 200. Slight corner fringing at 300, but similar to that of the Nikkor 70-300, so I can’t really complain. A good lens at a fantastic price. This hasn’t caught on as much with Nikon users as it seems to have gone over like wildfire with the Canon crowd. Recommended.
J. Trottier @ 2:53 am
It is what you would expect for a lens in this price range. It is a perfect everyday lens especially well suited to photograph outdoor events where there is close and far action. It is made of light plastic which makes it easy to carry but I would not want to drop it – especially when extended to 300mm. Overall I am very satisfied with my purchase.
The focus speed is slower than my D50’s kit lens and it is also noisyer, but not annoying. The only odd fuction is the manual focus; the internal gears do not disengage so you feel the gears whirring as you turn the focus ring, it feels a bit rough. The Nikon model of this lens does not have a manual focus switch on the lens, you have to use the camera body switch.
A bonus with this lens is that is does good macro photography. I was able to get sharp shots of flowers at close range with totally blurred backgrouds.
The lens needs a lot of light but 300mm is not very practical indoors so it is perfect for outdoor daytime photos. With the hotshoe flash the lens performs very well indoors.
The zooming action is a bit quick for my liking. Just a half turn of the barrel and you go from 28 to 300! You need a gentle touch to get just the right focal length.
I bought this lens instead of the Nikon 70-300 G. The 28-300 is a more useful range but you sacrifice speed (6.3 instead of 5.4 max aperture at 300mm). The Sigma is lighter and at least half an inch shorter than the Nikon at the smallest focal length. The Nikon had smoother zooming and faster focus.
James Stewart @ 5:39 am
Overall a good lens, Focus a little soft at 300mm. The Bokeh is OK. Canon Dig Reb XT auto focus sometimes oversearches. Zoom control is stiff. However, the focal range is great. This is a good walk around lens. I use it 100% now. The F 3.5 allows the chance of precious light at short focal lengths. A very good value for the money.
Digital Photographer @ 6:26 am
I,ve had the lens for about a year now, it was on old EOS body, not a problem with the interface between the Canon or the Sigma, worked just fine.
I have heard about some incompatibility between Sigma and Canon, but has not happened to me.
Recently bought the new Canon Eos Elan 7NE, the Sigma works perfectly with this body too.
Optically, yes , there is some distortion at some focal lengths, but nothing really terrible, the color is excellent, it is sharp pretty much all around.
Really love the lens.
Detractors of this range of lens never discuss what it really does, its like having a whole camera bag full of lens and you are alway ready for anything, that is an enormous plus, and it does what it has to do pretty well, so, if you,re planning on shooting pictures for National Geographic, maybe this is not the lens for you, but if you are a guy or gal who loves photograpy, buy it, you can,t go wrong.
Graham Stevens @ 7:29 am
I purchase this lens for the Digital Rebel XT body I also purchased through Amazon. So far the lens has performed as expected. It is solid and well built. Sticks slightly, when zooming through 200mm. Images are crisp and focus is sharp. Working at 300mm can be a challenge without using a mono or tripod. Shooting a bird in flight at 300mm is a trick.
Overall, good lens for $200. If you have more money, then a lens with Image Stabilization (IS) would be the way to go.