Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS Sport

[nokk]

i'm in the market for a 600mm f/4, but can't quite justify the $12k price tag, even if i can use it as a write off for taxes. $6k is much easier to justify. not saying i'm getting one, but i'll keep a close eye on this. at least i could cancel my gym membership if i want to lug this thing around.

 

[tomfranic]

i'm in the market for a 600mm f/4, but can't quite justify the $12k price tag, even if i can use it as a write off for taxes. $6k is much easier to justify. not saying i'm getting one, but i'll keep a close eye on this. at least i could cancel my gym membership if i want to lug this thing around.

Here in Croatia Z 600mm f/4 TC cost 16k euro

 

[arbitrage]

Wasn't too long ago when many (including myself) were handholding and marvelling at the "low" weight of the Canon EF 600II and then the Nikon 600E FL. But times have changed and we are now used to much lightweight options. This Sigma is identical weight to those two 600/4 lenses.
For the price I think this could still be a great lens for many to get that f/4 light gathering.
If one can accept the 15FPS limit and the lack of TCs and the weight.
This could be an interesting lens to pair with this new Panny S1RII: 44MP, 40FPS and pre-capture and TCs.

 

[nmerc_photos]

I've been humming and hawing about this lens for the last 12 hours or so..

I think it'll be a great "budget" prime option for people who want a fast 600 f4, but aren't willing to pay 600GM/600TC prices. Sure you have the weight penalty, but anyone who is on that much of a budget will be looking at even older and heavier lenses anyways.

I, surprisingly, know a lot of people who shoot wildlife with tripod only, and very rarely hike or walk around. at $6K this could be great for them.

For people with bigger budgets, I suspect this lens is of no interest. There will likely be better, lighter, and more flexible options out there.

 

[TurtleCat]

I just wonder why Sigma seems to be avoiding Z mount options. They have three, if I remember right, for the DX side but nothing else. Even if the market isn’t what it used to be and Nikon’s share isn’t what it used to be, it would still seem to be a glaring omission for so many of their lenses to not be on Nikon.

 

[Nimi]

I just wonder why Sigma seems to be avoiding Z mount options. They have three, if I remember right, for the DX side but nothing else. Even if the market isn’t what it used to be and Nikon’s share isn’t what it used to be, it would still seem to be a glaring omission for so many of their lenses to not be on Nikon.

There was a major legal battle between the two, which was settled, probably in Nikon's favor in 2015. Nikon sued Sigma for stealing its VR technology. They don't forget...

 

[ajrmd]

I see lots of posts comparing it to Nikon. You all realize it’s only for L mount and Sony E mount right? It is not for Nikon or Canon shooters.

https://www.amazon.com/NEEWER-Autofocus-Adapter-Firmware-Compatible/dp/B0CT26LWCW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FPU7QQUH1B8C&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.p3JxtKVEQSWCcBklr_Hl4IVEkaznFABVlNDRtDAcYYNqADqqxg3arnf0zfnzTR7Q2uYI6ycWq_EmeF_sV0AQH75srwSDuEejaQFTC2p7P5wiqeVKV7FR3K-aNYliGusFdES_cQZChjVUbL0rV1qZmDpEIAPxcXy4knXzja0774heiseO4gSNr6pEku-6OLQUgU0q9kBHQupg06rjxCg5hYz6cGiWeITZOtSaUuDWqLrF0gXaaxCUgT02QIqpkEd26h31rYhDcSzHk2kbZFcxKvuj2W5rt4lCq9iR9vnrHO5APb2rzl7vKDUk5s7e76BUkQETUEECKMMu0W8c0LJ0-sxyexLchX0410DdVKfkPFA.MVtbauUaivjPn-DpOgWcxJ2Nhak8XwCNNIwj7vbTHk4&dib_tag=se&keywords=NEEWER+FE%2FE+Mount+Lens+to+Z+Mount&qid=1740422938&s=electronics&sprefix=neewer+fe%2Fe+mount+lens+to+z+mount%2Celectronics%2C116&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Megadap-ETZ21-Pro-Camera-Adapter/dp/B0CDV6GN4W/ref=sr_1_4?crid=Z9PNLF0OIM5X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yQ_1GOYj0NF1QhEe2ib2mmfV96AzuspVq22E0poSTEcdWnJhkm4eevOO615KroeBHc0DFyCv7MYV_UcsihNbfH965mIyoIFIBuv_UsYbjRBNstK1U5hka_fKFZPV951jcj_NEX8QxeABBZiMr4nPIic194LQI2qt1Hdmf4gIBic82xlinsfedH2u50WMlNIcJgeDa0KPhYWm3pfCfso5xWh7zvSzWN7Sn1jxDOOKPSAMHX38h5ngyZWy1VHLpYqbV5dMBK05Hso5QbSpPBCcsLDkLS_Tvk3tgJEdLdfhpyYxnWgsBf6y7FU8O19Ew-Fkqby9ElYlAEI47HV4aVspfYsf9i4Ug5uKFdvk26EpWAw._vOLbwD7d6DFs3sqDHS4254aEa4G9q0vvUG46DYLous&dib_tag=se&keywords=megadap+E+Mount+Lens+to+Z+Mount&qid=1740422972&s=electronics&sprefix=megadap+e+mount+lens+to+z+mount%2Celectronics%2C102&sr=1-4

mic drop

 

[TurtleCat]

There was a major legal battle between the two, which was settled, probably in Nikon's favor in 2015. Nikon sued Sigma for stealing its VR technology. They don't forget...

Forgot about all of that. But then why have anything in Nikon Z? Still, feels a bit shortsighted if that is the cause.

 

[Nimi]

Forgot about all of that. But then why have anything in Nikon Z? Still, feels a bit shortsighted if that is the cause.

All 3 manufacturers disallow or cripple lenses that directly compete with their own. Sony is the most liberal with Tamron, but they own 20% of Tamron...

 

[MrFotoFool]

@Ltgk20 Just a friendly reminder (as someone else pointed out), this is in their Sports line, not their Contemporary line. You may want to edit your thread title.

 

[Mark_Laidlaw]

NOW THIS is an interesting lens!

This lens might be worth it to use an E-to-Z adapter for. 120-300 2.8 f mount + 300-600 would be an awesome setup for sports like surfing, or baseball, maybe even football.

For wildlife, it'd be great for hide work, but I'm not sure you can use TC's on adapted lenses.

And at $6000? That's suspiciously cheap.

 

[Ed Erkes]

For years I used the Sigma 300-800 as my primary lens when shooting from blinds. IMO the Sigma 300-600 will be often too short. I could live with 15 fps, but the inability to add a teleconverter ruins what would be a great lens choice for blind work.

 

[DRwyoming]

For years I used the Sigma 300-800 as my primary lens when shooting from blinds. IMO the Sigma 300-600 will be often too short. I could live with 15 fps, but the inability to add a teleconverter ruins what would be a great lens choice for blind work.

It doesn’t have a built in TC but why couldn’t one add an external TC?

 

[Clough91]

It doesn’t have a built in TC but why couldn’t one add an external TC?

Just with Sony not allowing teleconveters to be used with sigma products on there bodies

 

[Lee R]

Sonys probably got this one crippled at 15fps and no TC to protect their own, Nikon would need an adapter which results may vary, Canons not in the mix.

That leaves Panasonic maybe dropping in an A1s/Z9/8 and R5s competitor that maybe can let this lens operate at full potential on L mount.

Tough spot for Sigma with this one.

 

[MrFotoFool]

I need one of you who think six thousand dollars is cheap to adopt me!

 

[Dionigi Colombo]

I have already said that this is an interesting lens but for me I find the 400ZTc more useful and practical...too bad about the price

 

[JAJohnson]

All 3 manufacturers disallow or cripple lenses that directly compete with their own. Sony is the most liberal with Tamron, but they own 20% of Tamron...

And Nikon has had ongoing lens development activity with Tamron for some time. Nothing with Sigma.

 

[Nimi]

Sonys probably got this one crippled at 15fps and no TC to protect their own, Nikon would need an adapter which results may vary, Canons not in the mix.

That leaves Panasonic maybe dropping in an A1s/Z9/8 and R5s competitor that maybe can let this lens operate at full potential on L mount.

Tough spot for Sigma with this one.

Panny just leaked the specs on the new S1rii, a 44mp full frame using the Sony IMX366. I think that's the first camera with that sensor, and I've not seen tests on it. Panasonic is more of a video company, so I'm assuming it'll be optimized for dynamic range, not readout speed. But who knows.

 

[Nimi]

And Nikon has had ongoing lens development activity with Tamron for some time. Nothing with Sigma.

I know first hand about the animosity between Nikon and Sigma. Tamron is in my opinion a better lens, especially their zooms. And Nikon and Sony are very close. Canon is the outlier.

 

[JAJohnson]

Panny just leaked the specs on the new S1rii, a 44mp full frame using the Sony IMX366. I think that's the first camera with that sensor, and I've not seen tests on it. Panasonic is more of a video company, so I'm assuming it'll be optimized for dynamic range, not readout speed. But who knows.

We'll find out soon, I think.

 

[fcotterill]

Wasn't too long ago when many (including myself) were handholding and marvelling at the "low" weight of the Canon EF 600II and then the Nikon 600E FL. But times have changed and we are now used to much lightweight options. This Sigma is identical weight to those two 600/4 lenses.
For the price I think this could still be a great lens for many to get that f/4 light gathering.
If one can accept the 15FPS limit and the lack of TCs and the weight.
This could be an interesting lens to pair with this new Panny S1RII: 44MP, 40FPS and pre-capture and TCs.

Precisely my thoughts. This Sigma Sport with carbon hood weighs 3,985g precisely, and note the MFD is 2.8-4.5m from 300mm wide end to 600mm.

Prior to 2022, a 3.8kg bare weight was the minimum before adding a TC and gripped ILC for balance albeit 1kg or more. Many of us were handholding rigs of +5kg (mine was the 400 f2.8E FL).

This IF VR zoom in a fixed aperture of f4 is unique. Kudos to Sigma and the CEO Yamaki San.

(it should work fine on a Nikon MILC with Techart TZE adapter.)

Sigma's New $6,000 300-600mm f/4 Lens Is Somehow a Bargain

In some ways, the Sigma 300-600mm f/4 is its most impressive lens yet.

petapixel.com

Sigma's 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports Lens Promises Prime Performance but Zoom Versatility

Designed for fast-paced sports and wildlife photography.

petapixel.com

Launch schedule of Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports | News | Sigma

This page is about Sigma's Launch schedule of Sigma 300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports.

www.sigma-global.com

Note the smaller print:
Various functions to support shooting
The lens features a variety of buttons and switches to accommodate individual preferences and the demands of different shooting situations, including AFL buttons in four different locations, a focus mode switch, a focus limiter switch, an OS mode switch (Mode 1 or Mode 2), and a custom mode switch. The L-Mount version of the lens is also compatible with Tele Converters (TC-1411/TC-2011) for AF-enabled shooting at a maximum focal length of 1,200mm.

Follow embedded links

300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports | LENSES | PRODUCTS | Sigma

This page is about Sigma's 300-600mm F4 DG OS.

www.sigma-global.com

Freezing moments and sharpening your edge | SHOOTING WITH Sigma | INSPIRATION | Sigma

This page is about Sigma's Freezing moments and sharpening your edge.

www.sigma-global.com

 

[fcotterill]

All factors considered, this Sigma 300-600 f4 Sport is probably going to become a first choice in a Destination Kit for mammals and also birds. It is surprisingly affordable, and all the more so if the IQ meets expectations.

Paired with TC14, this Zoom becomes a 420-840 f5.6.

I've often pondered how a lighter version of a 300-600 with integral TC14 of approx 3.5kg will create the perfect "African Zoom-Tele"; so although it's heavier by 500-700g, this Sigma has probably hit on a unique niche.

Nikkor 800mm f6.3S PF with Z-TC's for African mammals and Birds

AND I used Dynamic-Area Medium to reach through to her - other modes just got stuck in the foliage and Yes I start with manually focusing the AF point at the centre of the dynamic-area on my target and "hand-off" to AF-C when I press the shutter to allow for movement later. (I use the switch on...

bcgforums.com

 

[Tiago C]

I just wonder why Sigma seems to be avoiding Z mount options. They have three, if I remember right, for the DX side but nothing else. Even if the market isn’t what it used to be and Nikon’s share isn’t what it used to be, it would still seem to be a glaring omission for so many of their lenses to not be on Nikon.

Sigma is not avoiding Z mount options. Nikon, Canon and others are avoiding third party lenses.

 

[Len Shepherd]

It is an interesting new development, going beyond the focal lengths of the Nikon 120–300 constant aperture f 2.8 and Nikon 180–400 with built-in TC constant aperture f4.

I appreciate some Nikon users object to leaving an FTZ permanently attached to one of the Nikon options, though either lens is more recent optical design than Nikon Z mount introduction.
With the FTZ attached to the 180–400 the weight increases is minimal, and it still fits in the Nikon shoulder bag with a Z8 or Z9 attached.

Whether the new lens stabilisation system is fully compatible with Nikon is something that has not been disclosed.
I am not keen on the thumb screw lens hood securing method – the new click and twist method with Nikon Z lenses like the 800mm f6.3 I consider far superior.

The launch price of the new lens seems approximately half the UK street price of the two Nikon shorter focal length lens options.

Whether we will see a Nikon 300–600 f4 with built in TC is for the future. I speculate some would buy this possible future combination

Addendum - Nikon are maybe being pipped at the post with this new lens for video.
The reference to a variable neutral identity drop in filter can be important for video.

Often 60 fps is fast for video - and the shutter speed should not normally be more than twice the fps - limiting shutter speed to 1/125 in bright sunlight.