Buying Sgima 120-300 2.8

N

Naz

Suspended / Banned
Messages
39
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

I rented this lens out a few times last year for a couple of motorsport events and was very impressed. I've been on the look out for one for a few months now and I'm hoping to pick one up by March / April when the season starts again.

Recently everywhere seems to be selling them for around £1700 new, however today I noticed two things that I thought where interesting.

The first is that the lens has disappeared from the warehouse express website all together, I would have thought if it was just out of stock then the page would still remain there, so perhaps they have stopped selling it?

The second thing is that camera price buster show Mifsuds as selling it for £1549. I've never heard of this shop, but they are selling it considerably lower than everybody else. Also they are selling the canon fit version for £1549 but the Nikon for £1789 when people usually charge the same for both.

Is this likely to be a mistake? Too good to be true?

Has anyone had any dealings with this company in the past?

Cheers
 
It's probably getting scarce as Sigma have announced the 120-300mm F2.8 OS which will start hitting shops next year.

Mifsuds are a good company, well respected in both new and used gear.
 
I see, so what affect would this have on prices?

Will companies discount the lens in order to clear stock, or increase the price as they become scare?

I had heard about the OS version, but I assumed it would be built along side the current 120-300, is it actually a complete replacement then?
 
I think it is a complete replacement

I purchased my non DG 120-300mm shortly after the DC one was released - the price I paid was about 65% of the new retail price for the DG at the time.

Although if the OS implementation is good on the 120-300mm I would certainly be holding out for that if I were buying another one!
 
I'm not so sure, my main use for this lens is motorsport, and I've rented it three times now. I've never wished that I had the OS feature. I also hired a canon 300mm f4 IS, but I didn't really find the IS that useful.

That said I have IS on my main walkabout lens, which is the Canon 24 - 105, and I do find it very useful, but I'm not sure that I need it for motorsport.

I understand that it could help with panning and generally with hand holding, but I think it depends on the price really, if its a significant increase I think I will go for the current version.
 
Hi Alex

There's one on ebay at the moment with a couple of days to go, just one bid at the moment and the seller has a 100% rating with around 50 sales, so it may be worth watching?

I recently bought a 120-300 EX DG on ebay (actually from AWP on this forum!) and it's a great lens, I've also added the 1.4x and 2x TC's as well. :)

I will add that I've nothing to do with the current seller on ebay.

Hope you're successful in your quest! :thumbs:

EDIT - Sorry, I just noticed that you're a Canon user, the one on ebay is a Nikon mount. My apologies.
EDIT #2 - There is a Canon one for £1299 BIN (Buy it now), it looks fairly genuine. Worth a thought?
 
Last edited:
Would echo others by saying to watch carefully for a secondhand one, which should top around £1K in price, plus you're normally lucky to pick up a 105mm filter in the deal.

I have a non-DG model; much discussion on this and other fora regarding whether DG-treated glass is truly noticeable in most lighting conditions, though I would point out that the non-DG normally has the (useless as a carrying handle) smaller tripod foot. I sourced a replacement collar/foot as I really needed the deeper grip/bigger handle so I can trudge around ready to take a photo....like the one here in Alaska (at 120mm, no crop, on foot, heart pounding, and wife checking my life insurance policy!): http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30905716&l=3a9f2dbed6&id=1585876310
 
I've dealt with Mifsuds and find them very good. I've been in their shop while the person with the phone has been wandering around checking lenses for a customer on the other end of the line.

I've bought second hand kit (both via the web and in their shop and never had a problem. I've also bough brand new kit from them and got decent deals on the kit I've traded in against the new stuff.

Absolutely no hesitation in recommending Mifsuds for new or pre-owned kit. (tend to be good prices too).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top