If you have read Canon 1D Mk IV (Day 8) and have seen the shots from the this review, well the shots of the soccer game here may give you a bit of De Ja Vue. I was also in the park that day testing out the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens. It was a nice day, there was a good breeze, not too hot. I had Recently got the the lens and this was one of my first big outings with it.
Equipment used
Performance and Speed
The lens surprised me on the soccer pitch. Previous usages of the auto focus were not as good. But in midday light, the focus had a decent focusing speed. I set the Nikon D90 to use AF-C or Auto-Focus Continuous mode. The lens and the camera kept up with the action and quickly focusing on subjects on the field.
Sharpness & Focus
All images were sharp and detailed throughout the complete range of the zoom. I bumped up the ISO on the camera to keep a boost in speed for the shutter and the lens acted accordingly. With the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lensyou are not going to get extremely amazing shots with this lens during sporting events. You will get decent photos with an adequate speed for amateurs. In AF-Continuous the lens was able to keep the focus on and freeze action.
For the Amateur Sports Photographer
This lens is a decent choice for you. The focus on the lens in the AF continuous mode keeps up with most subjects. The lens is easy to hold and focuses easily or zooms easily. There will be no reservations about getting the shot . Sports photography is about timing and with this lens you have a chance at some great shots
When Is the Best Time to Use this Lens?
Being a variable aperture (F 4-5.6), this lens is fantastic for outdoor and daytime shots. Any thing beyond this, the lens will be a little inhibiting. The Lens is not at it’s best in low ambient light. The Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens thrives in bright light.
Overall For Sports
I was astonished with the lens—I did not expect for it to work so well impressions of the lens gave me some doubts and I did not think the lens would be a practical as it turned out to be. Zoom lenses like the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lensare the types that I’ve generally just used for long distance landscapes because I was not worried about speed. This lens performs very admirably with my Nikon D90 to capture some great images.
I cannot say if this lens is the best for sports shooters because I have not tested them all. I can say the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 SLD DG Macro Lens, overall, is a good lens for amateur sports photography due to its general performance.This lens would work great at any outdoor sports event like baseball, football, soccer, etc that is well lit. People with a low photography budget will really appreciate the quality of this lens. If you want to get into more professional sports photography that’s when you would look past this lens and look at lenses that are F2.8 and/or prime.
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