Summary of une FOLIE ! test Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sport

Product Overview

The Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sport is a high-performance zoom lens designed primarily for wildlife and sports photography. It features a fixed aperture of F4 throughout its zoom range, advanced autofocus capabilities, and excellent stabilization.

Key Features

Focal Length: 300-600mm with a constant aperture of F4.
Weight: Approximately 4 kg, which is typical for lenses in this category.
Construction: Weather-sealed, with 28 elements in 11 groups, and a unique white finish that helps resist heat.
autofocus: Linear autofocus with advanced Sigma motors, capable of tracking moving subjects.
Stabilization: Offers 5.5 stops of image stabilization.
Versatility: Allows zooming from 300mm to 600mm, which is beneficial for capturing distant subjects without changing lenses.
Compatibility: Designed for professional use, particularly with Sony mounts, although there are limitations regarding teleconverter compatibility.

Pros

Image Quality: Exceptional sharpness and detail, particularly at 600mm, significantly outperforming traditional lenses.
Bokeh: Produces beautiful background separation and depth of field effects, enhancing subject focus.
User Experience: Well-built with customizable buttons and controls, making it user-friendly for photographers in the field.
Versatile Zoom Range: The ability to zoom from 300mm to 600mm provides flexibility in framing shots.

Cons

Weight and Size: At 4 kg, it is heavy and bulky, which may be challenging for some users to handle for extended periods.
Price: Priced at around €7000, which some may find excessive, especially compared to alternatives.
Limitations with Sony Bodies: Current Sony bodies limit the lens's performance, including a maximum of 15 frames per second and lack of teleconverter options.

User Experience

The reviewer noted that despite its weight, handling the lens in the field felt manageable for someone accustomed to large lenses. The autofocus and stabilization were praised for their effectiveness, allowing for successful tracking of fast-moving subjects. The lens is particularly suited for wildlife photography, where distance and subject tracking are crucial.

Comparisons

The Sigma 300-600mm is compared to the Sony 600mm F4 lens, which is significantly more expensive (around €14,000) and lacks zoom capabilities. The reviewer emphasized the advantages of the Sigma lens's versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Verdict

The Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sport is highly recommended for professional photographers looking for a high-quality zoom lens for wildlife and sports photography. Its image quality, versatility, and advanced features make it a standout option, despite its high price and weight.

Unique Points

Exceptional sharpness and detail, especially at 600mm.
Offers a unique zoom capability in a fixed aperture lens.
Customizable controls enhance user experience.
Weather-sealed construction for outdoor use.
Limited by current Sony body capabilities, affecting performance.

Contributors' Views

The primary reviewer provided insights on handling, performance, and comparisons with other lenses.
Mentioned challenges faced when using with Sony bodies, particularly regarding frame rates and teleconverter options.

Notable Quotes

— 11:16 — « I want to insist to show you how different it is a 600 mm f4 from a 600 mm 63 obviously in terms of stake there is no possible comparison between the two. »

— 11:30 — « I find that the depth of the boket that you manage to have with the 600 mm f4 is incomparable. »

— 12:13 — « We are in a category which is above which generally belongs to the professional photographer with the best rendering that you can have. »

— 14:00 — « I find that Sony is weighing down Sigma's work a little and spoiling the party a little. »

— 14:51 — « It's still frustrating when you paid for a lens for a body that is capable of more than double or even quadruple. »