Product Description

This MACRO lens covers all the focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 300mm telephoto with 10.7:1 high zoom ratio as well as macro capability. 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 MACRO packs a lot of performance in a compact package with ultra compact dimensions that make this lens the ultimate traveling companion. It's the ideal lens all types of photography and optimized for digital SLR cameras.The new multi layer lens coating and lens design reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance through the entire zoom range.This lens features one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element and one aspherical lens in the front lens group, and one SLD glass element and three aspherical lenses in the rear lens group. This lens provides excellent correction for all types of aberrations.This 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.This design allows for stability and compactness in design as changes in focus are made in an internal lens grouping. This also gives the advantage of a non-rotating front lens assembly, which is of great benefit when using polarizing filter and Petal-type hood.This MACRO lens is equipped with a zoom lock to prevent the lens from creeping due to its own weight, and to offer protection whilst the lens is being carried.

Product Details

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: B0009XQPJ8
• Dimensions: 4.00" h x 4.00" w x 6.00" l, 1.01 pounds

Features

• Compact, high-performance zoom lens
• Aspherical lens element corrects distortion
• Minimum focusing distance of 50 centimeters
• Focal length from 28 to 300 millimeters
• Corresponding AF mounts: Canon SLR cameras

Manufacturer Description
The Sigma 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 Macro lens covers all the focal lengths from 28mm wide angle to 300mm telephoto with 10.7:1 high zoom ratio as well as macro capability. 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Macro packs a lot of performance in a compact package with ultra compact dimensions that make this lens the ultimate traveling companion length.

Two-piece Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and four-piece aspherical lenses produce a high level of optical performance.
The 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 Macro lens feature two-piece Special Low Dispersion SLD glass elements and four-piece 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.

Macro photography with a 1:3 maximum photography ratio
The 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 Macro lens has a minimum focusing distance of 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) at all focal lengths and is equipped with a macro mechanism for close-up photography at 300-millimeter telephoto, with a reproduction ratio of 1:3.

Inner Focus System
This design allows for stability and compactness in design as changes in focus are made in an internal lens grouping. This also gives the advantage of a non rotating front lens assembly which is of great benefit when using polarizing filter and Petal-type hood.

The "Zoom Lock" device prevents the zoom setting from being changed inadvertently.
The 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 Macro lens is equipped with a zoom lock to prevent the lens from creeping due to its own weight, and to offer protection whilst the lens is being carried.

DG Lens
These are large-aperture lenses with wide angles and short minimum focusing distances. With an abundance of peripheral illumination, they are ideal lenses for digital SLR cameras whilst retaining suitability for traditional 35mm SLRs.

Customer Reviews

I like this lens
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.

Useful lens
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.

A Versatile Lens for a Great Price!
This a good lens for a low price. Some people seem to be let down by the speed and focusing capability of this lens at 200mm or above but it should be expected that if shooting telephoto, the user would incorporate a tripod. I originally thought about buying the tamron 18-250mm but this lens was half the price and although you lose a little in the width, you gain 50mm in length.

For the few of the people who reviewed this lens and put it on a Canon 30d or similar prosumer digital slr, the question I have is, why would you spend $2000 on a body and $250 on a lens???? It makes no sense! I have this lens mounted on my Canon Digital Rebel xti and it is a great match. I would love to have a faster zoom lens with a wider angle but I can't afford the extra cost at this time.

If you are like me and enjoy photography, as a hobby and not to make a living, you should buy this lens for it's superior versatility. If you are professional photographer and need superior quality, you shouldn't even be looking at this lens, so please do us casual photographers a favor, and don't review this lens!