Large Supertele Zoom Range. The 300-800 f/5.6 Sigma lens provides an obviously unique zoom range. It’s quite a sharp lens but perhaps not the quickest focusing lens you’ve shot with, so more appropriate for larger wildlife and perched birds. Birds in flight will be more of a challenge.

Constant f/5.6 Aperture. While many zoom lenses offer a constant aperture throughout their zoom range, this one is a bit different. To do so in a lens with this large a zoom range is just impressive.

You’re Gonna Want a Tripod. At almost 13 pounds and 21 inches long, this is a heavy lens and it’s not image stabilized. This is not a good lens to rent for your first time shooting a super telephoto. It requires very stable support (a heavy duty tripod and gimbal head) and excellent long-lens technique. Best images will be obtained with a remote shutter release and mirror lock up. We’ve tested it carefully but even in the shop soft images have been 100% because of user error – it requires excellent technique and some practice.

Bigger Is Better? Just for fun, Sigma’s marketing blurb on the 300-800: A perfect lens for surveillance use, its stealth black finish is unobtrusive and easily concealed. It’s 21 inches long without the hood. Just how easily concealed and unobtrusive is that?

Our lenses do not come with a tripod plate, please rent one here if you need one.