Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO (2006-2009) / Annex C

In mid January, 2014, I was fortunate enough to chance upon a used example of the Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO super-telephoto zoom lens, available for purchase in Melbourne at a very affordable price.

This high performance professional zoom was discontinued circa 2009, despite its excellent performance. A contributing factor may have been that published test reports displayed large variances in sharpness performance between 200mm and 300mm, presenting potential users with the risk of acquiring an underperforming sample. Fortunately, I was able to test this lens before buying, and thus determine that its optical performance was indeed as it should be - its only optical defect is softness in the upper left and right corners, irrelevant for the type of work I do.

Careful comparative analysis of imagery produced by the Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO at 300mm against the Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 APO, both on the D7100, indicates that centre field sharpness performance at f/5.6 - f/8.0 is effectively the same. A camera with much higher imaging site density would be required to differentiate the two lenses. Curiously, chromatic aberration performance of the newer lens was slightly better. Colour rendering for both lenses is almost identical, and typically for apochromatic designs, very good.

The inevitable conclusion from these test shoots is that the 1988 designed Sigma AF 400mm f/5.6 APO super-telephoto lens remains optically competitive against contemporary professional glass.

Sample images are mostly taken at 300mm and f/8.0.

Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO super-telephoto zoom mounted on the D7100, with LH890-01 lens hood deployed and stowed (D90).

Sigma AF 100-300mm f/4 EX IF HSM APO / Nikon D7100