[handoko_luo]

Hi,



I am really thinking of buying the Sigma AF 300mm f4 APO Telemacro Lens. Do you have a plan to review this lens.. The is an old lens, discontinued already, non-HSM version for Nikon Mount, some HSM version for Canon. Have 77mm filter size, zen finish, tripod collar, have 1.2m minimum focusing distance, 1:3 maximum magnification, and non-OS version.. sometimes appear on Ebay, very economic alternative for a 300mm lens, and Thom Hogan recommend this lens in 2nd place, after Nikon AF 300mm f4. The picture of the lens can be seen here --> http://philippeluyckx.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v13/p99815739-5.jpg



Thank you.

[mst]

Sorry, there are currently no plans to review this lens.



-- Markus

[Brightcolours]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=129

http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/45

[johnwhit]

FWIW I have one in Pentax AF fit, a fine lens, now stays as a backup to my DA*300/4, I couldn't bring myself to part with it.



John

[exuvia]

This was an amazing lens from Sigma. The latest 300/4 from Nikon took a lot from Sigma's project: short mfd, lenshood, size...

HSM and not HSM are the same lens.



Pros

Compact, smooth tripod collar (SO MUCH better than Nikon's). The lens is tack sharp, and it's optimized for shorter focus distances. It isn't as good af infinite, but still good. Perfect lens for flowers and small animals.



Cons

Slow AF (as any "geared" AF); a little vignetting wide open; the "rubberized" coating is easy to be worn out.



I had it for years, than I switched to the 300/4 Nikon AFS, and istantaneously regretted the move. I sold the Nikon after a month, because of its ugly tripod collar.



The Sigma is a catch, if you don't need fast AF.

But watch out: it could give you trouble with the most recent Canon bodies. With "most recent" I mean all the digital era ones. You should be able to check it first, before to buy it.