Amazon.com Product Description

The Sigma 135-400mm f4.5-f5.6 APO aspherical lens lets you capture an unprecedented range of images, everything from landscapes to sports. This lens uses Sigma's exclusive five-group zoom system combined with aspherical lens elements to achieve sharp, high-contrast photographic results across the entire zoom range. The lens' optics also use special low dispersion glass elements that help eliminate the secondary spectra effect normally associated with telephoto lenses.

The front lens group does not rotate thanks to Sigma's rear focus system, making polarizing filters extremely easy to use. For added convenience, the 135-400mm f4.5-f5.6 APO aspherical lens includes a built-in rotary tripod mount that eliminates vibration, and consequently blurry images, during shutter release. This model is dedicated to Nikon AF SLR cameras. ... Read more

Product Description

This 20-40mm f2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF lens provides f2.8 large maximum aperture for all focal lengths between ultra-wide angle 20mm to 40mm. The lens has minimum focus distance of 11.8 inches (30cm) at all focal lengths and maximum magnification is 1: 4.6. It incorporates aspherical lenses in the front lens group and rear lens group to minimize distortion, astigmatism and spherical aberration.The lens is equipped with a DF (Dual Focus) mechanism and also an IF (Inner Focus) system. It is easy to hold the lens during shooting, since the focusing ring does not rotate during auto focusing, and yet it provides adequate dampening of the focusing ring during manual focusing of the lens. This lens is designed to be desirable for both digital SLR cameras and conventional 35mm SLR camera.Sigma's 20-40mm f2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF lens is equipped with a removable type lens hood (Petal shaped hood) to prevent extraneous light harmful for image quality. ... Read more

Features

• Dedicated to Minolta AF SLR cameras
• Extra-wide aspherical lens provides higher optical performance
• Antiflare features and crisp-to-the-edges images
• World's shortest, nonfisheye, wide-angle focal length AF lens
• Accepts rear slip-in gelatin filters

Reviews (2)

Good on a digital SLR
My copy of this lens gives good image quality, though it does have slight barrel distortion (things near the edge of the field of view bulge out very slightly). This is typical for this wide of a lens, and isn't noticeable unless viewing something with lots of straight lines near and parallel to the edge of the frame.
I like the lens, but do make sure you really want a lens with a field of view THIS WIDE. It's nice for landscapes, but they will all have everything but the kitchen sink in each shot. You can't use this lens to isolate a particular feature of interest like you can with a standard or a telephoto lens.
One feature nobody seems to pay much attention to on this lens is that it can focus very close! You can do a sort of wide-angle macro work with this lens, if the light is good.
I recommend it as a relatively affordable alternative to the Canon or Tamron equivalents, if you are sure a 14mm lens is something you really want. I like mine, but occasionally have second thoughts about needing a lens this wide. Finally, I should mention that I use a digital SLR which only uses the central 2/3 of the lens. I've seen reports from others saying that edge distortion on this lens is unacceptable with a full-frame film camera.

What a wonderful piece of glass
To echo what is said about the new release SIGMA lenses - WOW.

Canon look out. I was shopping for a new toy for XMAS and settled on the CANON 14mm F2.8L lens. It was very nice but for the price hard to justify. I asked for an eval of the Canon and this, the Sigma alternative at 1/3rd the price. Head to head testing of the lenses on my Canon EOS 50 (ELAN) using ISO 200 film resulted in the Sigma producing a crisper image with better definition and colour saturation. Both lenses have a little "flattening" of the image at the edges as they try to compensate for curvature but the Sigma in my opinion is closer to true. Neither lens had any trouble Auto-Focusing during the day (Canon felt a little faster). The Sigma was a little unsure of itself on when I went for a night/bulb exposure of the starscape. Switched to Manual, set for infinity and away we went. My only other issue with the Sigma is the lens hood is not quite big enough where the Canon is spot on. Still you have to be looking really hard for faults to find them.

Tooling around with the lens has been lots of fun. I had never considered using the lens for indoors shots but it is magic. Architecture photography is going to be a new thing for me I think. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX Macro lens gives you superb, distortion-free images across the entire focal range, from infinity telephoto to 1:1 (life-size) macro. You can get as close as 12.3 inches from your subject--without accessories--making this an ideal lens for shooting nature photography. The focus-free mechanical design lets the lens focus automatically without any interference from the manual focus ring, making it easier to hold the lens without affecting the speed or other normal operations of the autofocus feature. The nonrotating front lens group makes it easy to work with polarizing filters. This model is dedicated to Minolta AF SLR cameras. ... Read more

Features

• Dedicated to Minolta AF SLR cameras
• 1:1 (life-size) macro magnification
• Nonrotating front lens group
• Superb, distortion-free images across the entire focal range
• Ideal lens for shooting nature photography

Amazon.com Product Description

Sigma's 180mm F3.5 EX IF HSM macro lens lets you take life-size, 1:1 images without the use of accessories. When shooting at this magnification, you can be a full 18.1 inches from your subject, ideal when your subject may be one easily disturbed, like birds, insects, and animals. In addition to the life-size images, this lens also uses the silent HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) so you can truly capture those hard-to-get images without disturbing your surroundings or subject.

The apochromatic design of the optics, combined with two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements plus a floating inner focus system help control chromatic and spherical aberrations as well as astigmatism, optical problems that often affect the quality of your images. This effect gives you high-quality performance across the entire focusing range. This model is dedicated to Nikon AF SLR cameras. ... Read more

Features

• Dedicated to Nikon AF SLR cameras
• Takes life-size, 1:1 images, without the use of accessories
• Uses the silent HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
• Apochromatic design, 2 SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, floating inner focus system
• Chromatic, spherical aberrations, and astigmatism virtually eliminated

Features

• Number of blades in diaphragm: 9
• Angle of View (Diagonal): 75.4 degrees -34.3 degrees
• Lens Constructions: 12 Groups 15 Elements
• Mount: Nikon AF
• Minimum Aperture: 32

Reviews (3)

An excellent lens.
I won't repeat what other reviewers have said but I do want to say that this is a wonderfully sharp, bright, and very well built lens.

When I bought the lens and mounted it on my Nikon F100 I found that the AF would lock after a minute or two of use. I phoned Sigma and they said to send it in for a reprogramming. They were very fast with turnaround and the lens now works perfectly. Newer models may be updated by now, but the trouble of sending it off was minimal.

The HSM is very fast and accurate, plus very quiet. I love this lens with my 1.4x and 2.0x Sigma teleconverters. In my opinion, a real bargain when it comes to well made fast zooms.

Great lens with one important flaw
I love this lens. It is very fast and extremely sharp. However, after getting the lens I had to send it to Sigma in NJ for a software adjustment so that it would not freeze on my F100. Seems that after about three minutes of HSM focusing on F100s the Sigma lens freezes. It can be unfrozen by turning the power on the camera off and on, but that's a pain. Sigma repaired it very quickly and I now love it. I use a 1.4x Sigma converter with it and very much like the combination.

This lens is big and heavy, but very sturdy in feel and wonderfully bright. I feel it is a great alternative to the Nikon silent wave version with is almost twice as expensive.

A great lens with great features.
Having used the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX HSM lens for portrature and wildlife work in Costa Rica recently, I can highly recommend this lens. The lens is very strong and well built, extremely fast, silent, and sharp. There are times when the lens will hunt a little bit when focusing, but this is not enough of a problem to cause you to miss a shot or cause a problem. The ability to imediately manualy focus the lens without having to switch to manual focus is not only a great convenience, it is absolutely a necesity when photoghaphing wildlife in the jungle, or even through the brush or in a tree in your own backyard. If your camera should focus on the foreground clutter instead of the desired subject matter, all one has to do is to rotate the focusing ring to focus on the subject, and shoot. I have found this lens to be extremely sharp and acurate over the entire frame area. The F2.8 light gathering ability is excelent, alowing you to add the Sigma APO 2X EX teleconverter to have a fully auto 140-400 F5.6 lens as well for little more money. Using this combination as well I have noticed no decrease in sharpness of image quality, although focusing may be slightly slower. In continuous focus mode this combination still had no trouble keeping up with birds in flight, although a tripod would be highly recomended. A nice feature is the tripod mount which can be used to grip and hold the lens and camera while shooting, or in less than a second can be detatched from the lens if so prefered. The camera can also be rotated a full 360 degrees within the tripod mount instead of the stndard 90 degrees of most other brands of lenses. The lens comes complete with with end caps, a padded soft side storage case, and even a lens hood, specialy designed to eliminate vigneting- at no extra charge. Although normaly dedicated to Nikor lenses, after inspecting and using this lens I found it to be equal in quality and better designed (in my opnion) in some areas than the Nikor 80-200 F2.8 silent wave lens. It is also smaller and lighter than the Nikor lens, a big plus in all day use, in or out of the jungle. On top of everything else I was able to purchase the Sigma lens for...less than the Nikor lens. A great lens at a great price. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Sigma's 28-105mm f3.8-5.6 aspherical macro lens has an impressively flexible shooting range of 28-105mm. This lens is ideal for nature photographers wanting close-ups of plants and animals, yet equally suited for those who prefer landscapes, portraits, and snapshots.

Though containing some of its predecessors' strengths, such as a 19.7-inch close-focus range, this model gives you the slightly larger maximum aperture of f3.8-f5.6 and a lighter weight. The use of aspherical optics and a new mechanical construction in the design can be credited with the reduction in weight. Despite its compact size, just under three inches, this lens maintains the high level of performance for which its predecessors are known. The internal focusing system allows for a nonrotating front barrel, making for the convenient use of filters. This model is dedicated to Minolta AF SLR cameras. ... Read more

Features

• Internal focusing system and a nonrotating front barrel for convenient filter use
• Dedicated to Minolta AF SLR cameras
• Extremely compact, weighing less than 10 ounces
• Lens construction has 13 elements in 12 groups
• Focusing range of 19.7 inches to infinity, at all zoom settings

Reviews (4)

Worth the money
A friend of mine asked me to shoot her wedding (so she could save some money).I obliged, but panicked due to my lack of equipment.

After much research on Amazon and various other sites, I decided to go with this lens.The first couple of times you work the zoom mechaism, there is some "stiffness" but that eventually fades, leaving a silky smooth feel.The zoom ring has a nice, high quality rubber coating for added control.

Sizewise, it's fairly compact and light.I also own a Sigma 28mm F1.8 aspherical lens (no zoom) for the same camera and they are about the same size, length wise, and similar in weight.I found the overal auto-focus time to be a bit slow...but that's likely a byproduct of the older camera body rather than the lens.

Overall, it was a great buy.The pictures came out beautifully!And the company that this product ships through turns out to be a fairly reputable company.Highly recommended.

a fine lens indeed...
This lens turned out to work far better than I expected. It really is a fine piece of work. I prefer to use it in manual focus mode because all the mechanical parts are smooth and precise, unlike most cheap AF zooms these days. The AF part is noticeably faster than Nikon's entry-level 50mm lens.

An excellent "universal" lens
I have always been a fan of Minolta bodies and Sigma lenses - they work great together (currently I have a Minolta Maxxum XTsi).This lens is certainly no exception.In fact, this one is the best lens I've had.I was so impressed with this lens, that I have all but stopped using any other lens.The aspherical capabilities allow me to get in real close to my subject and come out with a very clear photo.

This lens has a lot to offer.
Don't overlook this lens. It does not have the longest zoom range available. But the F2.8 maximum aperature, the very serviceable 28-105mm range, the weight and size, the high quality of material and optics, and the price make this a pleasure to use and carry. If you want to carry only one lens, you need a longer range than this one has. But if you are going to carry two or more lenses, this one deserves to be in your bag. ... Read more

Features

• This ideal zoom has tele-macro capability for a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2
• 28-80mm focal length
• Light weight
• Minimum shooting distance of under 9.5 inches
• Minimum focusing distance of less than 20 inches

Features

• Telephoto macro lens with Nikon-D AF mount
• Special low-dispersion glass for high image quality
• 150-millimeter focal length
• f2.8 maximum aperture
• Ultra-quiet high-speed autofocus with full-time manual focus override

Reviews (3)

a fine lens indeed...
This lens turned out to work far better than I expected. It really is a fine piece of work. I prefer to use it in manual focus mode because all the mechanical parts are smooth and precise, unlike most cheap AF zooms these days. The AF part is noticeably faster than Nikon's entry-level 50mm lens.

An excellent "universal" lens
I have always been a fan of Minolta bodies and Sigma lenses - they work great together (currently I have a Minolta Maxxum XTsi). This lens is certainly no exception. In fact, this one is the best lens I've had. I was so impressed with this lens, that I have all but stopped using any other lens. The aspherical capabilities allow me to get in real close to my subject and come out with a very clear photo.

This lens has a lot to offer.
Don't overlook this lens. It does not have the longest zoom range available. But the F2.8 maximum aperature, the very serviceable 28-105mm range, the weight and size, the high quality of material and optics, and the price make this a pleasure to use and carry. If you want to carry only one lens, you need a longer range than this one has. But if you are going to carry two or more lenses, this one deserves to be in your bag. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

this is my primary lens for my Digital SLR
I've used this lens for about 8 months and have come to love it. I keep it attached solely to My Nikon D100 for which I think it is especially suited. The "35mm equivilant" focal length, while on the D100 is 36-105mm which works quite well for me.
Key Points:
Strenghts:
1.)Consistant f2.8 max ap - this is a FAST lens in this class, giving me a bright viewfinder screen and making focus (auto or manual) faster and easier in dim light.
2.)Auto Focus speed - quite fast, especially given it's weight
3.)Sharp - especially at f4.0 or smaller. - note the fast 2.8 max is great for focus and composition, but there are no lenses out there that I know of that don't benefit from closing down at least 1 stop. Don't get me wrong though - this is great glass, and clearly worthy of Sigma's top-o-the-line EX designation. Edge of field sharpness - nothing to complain about here
4.)Color - really is great, likely benefits from the exotic glass.
5.)Focus Clutch - when in autofocus mode, push the focus ring to AF mode, which essentially takes it "out of gear" so you don't inadvertently try to overcome the lenses focus motor.
6.)Range - on my 35mm film SLRs, I use primarily a 28mm+ for wide shots but especially on a D100 or D1x, this lense turns out to have, for me at least , a great range as I get the "equivilant of 36mm given the CCDs chip size as compared to film. Note that especially with Digital SLRs the last thing I want in the field is a lot of lense changes to get dust in the camera and onto my CCD sensor (n fairness - not the sensor but the moire filter in front of it). I wish someone made a 20mm-70mm f2.8 but I think the chances of seeing that any time soon are small.
7.)Cost - look at other manufacturers, the same specs from nikon would cost >$1000 IF you could get it. And again, this is a great pice of glass, not just a great piece of glass for the price.
Issues to know about:
1.)Size - this is a big fat lens - clearly not that much fun to carry. Also the caliber of the lense makes access to the aperture ring difficult, so you'll clearly want to set and lock the aperture at minimum and control it from the camera front control wheel (on the F100 you have a choice, not so on the D100) if your camera allows that
2.)Filter diameter - the lens front filter thread diameter is 82mm! It took me a month to find a 1A filter in that size (Contax makes a nice one, ended up getting it at BHphoto)
3.)Resistance to zooming - going from ~30 to 24mm involves twisting the zoom ring a little harder - you are moving some big elements when you do this, and if you put the camera down, lens up, the weight of the optics will cause it to "collapse" ie to zoom back to ~50+mm
4.)Finish- this lens has a dull black finish which I like a lot - some people might want the polished or black laquer finish.
5.) Brand - not all Sigma lenses are great...but I think this one is. No apologies. ... Read more