Product Description

This lens has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9") and a maximum magnification of 1: 3, making it ideal for close-up photography.Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras this lens provides a high level of optical performance. Its design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology which offers superior peripheral brightness, extremely high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction.Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters.

Product Details

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: B000HPMP6A
• Released on: 2006-10-10
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 3.00" w x 5.30" l, 1.70 pounds

Features

• 50-150 mm Digital Zoom Telephoto Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
• Autofocus
• Ideal for Digital SLR Cameras
• Works with Nikon Cameras
• Lightweight Design, Large Aperture, Compact Style
• 3 x 3 x 5.3"; 1.7 Lb.

Customer Reviews

An excellent lens from Sigma
You can read all the "specs" doing a Google search so I won't bore you with the geek-tails. The simple answer is that this lens does as promised. It is a very nice, fast lens, for a reasonable price. If you are in a "No Flash Photography" zone, then this lens will get the job done, providing you can take a few steps back from your subject. I took it out for it's 1st "test drive" last night at the local bowling alley. The shots were taken at night with 100% ambient artificial lighting and with the D200 cranked up to ISO 1600 had no problem pulling in 1/125 to 1/180 Sec. shutter speeds with the Aperture notched down a couple of clicks from wide open. While I have definitely not put it through all the paces as of yet, I do have a couple of notations:

- I like the fact that the lens hood completely covers the focusing ring when reveresed (as in indoor use), yet leaves the zoom ring completely wide open. This makes for very comfortable usage being able to use the full length to steady the camera and having unfettered access to the zoom ring.

- Focus is quick & silent, and I haven't yet experienced any auto-focus "hunting" problems.

- Shots so far appear very acceptable. Please note that although I appreciate amazon's customer photo "samples", they manage to compress & reduce them so much that they lose a great deal of clarity. The images I've taken are much better than the few uploaded here. Bottom line, this lens takes quite nice photos.

- Look & feel is professional & solid, with smooth as silk zoom & focus action. This lens does not "telecope" in and out as do many zooms. It's length remains constant from 50 to 150mm.

- The one and only thing I do not like about this lens (and my other Sigma lenses) is that you cannot remove/install the lens cap when the lens hood is installed for outdoor glare protection. Nikon & Tamron lenses have a center pinch design that allows for easy installation/removal of the caps without removing the lens hood. I wish Sigma would do this as well. Some say you do not need a lens cap on when the hood is installed, but they obviously do not live in a dusty (desert) area. I almost knocked it down to four stars for that, but I'm simply too forgiving...

smooth (focusing) operator
this lens is interesting for nikon dslr users because it fills a gap in the nikkor product line. it's equivalent to a 75-225 f/2.8 on a 35mm camera. does that excite you? it should.
after having this lens for just over a week and shooting 1,000 pictures at a multiday outdoor music festival, i have to say it's worth every penny.
one minor caveat: the color tone differs a bit from nikon's--it's warmer overall but didn't show any predjudice between reds and blues--so if that bothers you get a nikkor.
complaining about the pinch cap is a little nitpicky IMO. you can access the cap easily with the hood reversed. with the hood on, the lens is ready to be pressed into action, and resistant to dust and dings when shooting outdoors. you should have a uv filter on this at all times for protection anyway.
anyway, this thing rocks. a nice piece of glass, as they say.
its best feature is the IF (internal focus) combined with HSM (hi speed motor). this thing is fast, with a smooth zooming action, going from 50-150 with ease. it has no aperture ring or af/mf switch, which just makes the lines cleaner and smoother. all the goodies are on the inside with this one.
you will be surprised at how versatile it is, handling a variety of photographic situations with ease. with the fast af and low-light capabilities, it's more useful than the much-vaunted 18-200, except for wide-angle pics (for that get the sigma 18-50 f/2.8 or the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 for a killer 2-lens combo). it's especially good at pics with differently-lit subjects at differing focal lengths, capturing different colors in different areas of the pic with impressive attention to contrast and detail.
the build quality isn't tokina at-x or nikon pro, but the ex finish on sigma's pro line is durable and solid. if you want a tank, get the nikkor 70-200, which is almost 3x as much. and weighs a lot more.
pics are sharp, sharp, sharp at f/2.8 across entire range--comparable to nikkor 50 f/1.8--which is really what you buy this for. does very well in real-world shots, although some lab tests have indicated a fall-off in corner to corner sharpness at 150mm. i couldn't really tell, although if i was shooting architecture, i'd probably want a different lens, like a 12-24, anyway. but this lens is more people-friendly than my 12-24.
what else? bokeh is nice, not as creamy as tamron 28-75, but still apparent. and with large aperture, it has good to excellent low and available light performance. you might actually find yourself leaving the speedlite in the bag. for the few times i needed flash, i was able to use the built-in flash with no vignetting.
i use this with a d80, but it will also work on a d40 b/c of the HSM.
overall, one of sigma's best lenses.

Great Sports Photography Lens
I shoot Nikon digital cameras (D70 and D80) and I shoot a lot of nature photos and some sports photos. This lens works as advertised and I have no complaints. It is fast, clear and it seems to work perfectly with my Nikon digital cameras. This lens also works well with the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter.