Sigma 120-300 and TC's - anyone using them?

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ok, very probably about to make the big leap into long lens ownership at the 4 figure range of the price market by buying the Sigma 120-300 f2.8, BUT, at some point I want to add a TC to the collection.

So, my first options are obviously the Sigma x1.4 and x2 - I like the idea that the 1.4 still gives a fairly quick f4 but also would like the extra reach of x2. However, has anyone use either or better still both of these and can comment on image quality, especially when used with this lens?

Also, Nikon TC's - this has the extra x1.7 option thrown into the mix, but again, IQ reports would be useful, as would knowing whether AF is retained on my D200 with any or all of the Nikon TC's and the Sigma lens combo? :shrug:

Any advice from experienced users would be most welcome :D
 
i have used my 100-300 f4 with a X2 tc on my d200 and i find it a real handful as u lose af its a nightmare actually
 
Yvonne, whether or not you retain autofocus capability is a function of the effective minimum aperture of the lens and the capabilities of the camera - it shouldn't depend on the brand of the teleconverter.

For example, in Canonland (which is easier to find your way around than Nikonland, not least because it has better maps!), all EOS bodies can autofocus if the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or better, and 1D-series bodies can autofocus if the lens has a maximum aperture of f/8 or better.

So a 2xTC on the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 would give you 240-600mm f/5.6 and it *would* autofocus on any Canon body, regardless of whether it was a Canon TC or a Sigma TC.

Nikon aren't as explicit as Canon about when you do and don't get autofocus, but I would expect them to be broadly similar. And therefore I would expect the Sigma 120-300 to still have autofocus with any TC on any Nikon body.
 
I have got the Sigma 300mm f2.8 prime and the 2xTC and its a great combination. I also have the Nikon 1.7xTC but have not tried using it on the Sigma. However I have tried "stacking" it with the Sigma 2xTC and for the life of me I could not get them to fit together!

I will try the Nikon 1.7TC on the Sigma 300mm and let you know how I get on.
 
I have the 120-300 and only use it with the 2x TC. IQ wise is not particularly good wide open. The lens by itself is just brilliant! You can use it wide open with amazingly sharp results. That's not the case at 600mm f/5.6. You need to stop down to at least f/9 to get decent results IMHO, and at that magnifications it means a sturdy tripod and head, mirror lock-up and remote shutter.

I unfortunatelly don't own the 1.4x yet but I'll be getting it really soon since i've read that there is very little loss in quality if any with the TC.
Here are 2 100% crops

This one is a 100% crop at 300mm @ f/2.8
2452061902_993c342176_o.jpg


And this is a 100% crop at 600mm but stopped down all the way to f/16
2632801692_cc687038df_o.jpg


As you can see the lens without the TC is really sharp but you can see the loss in sharpness with the TC attached, even at f/16. But again this is not a studio test and not all variables could be controlled, like wind or if the birds moved. First one was shot handheld but the second was shot on a Manfrotto 055XPROB with the 486RC2 securely locked, remote shutter and mirror lockup.

Check this webpage out. It's in japanese but even if I don't understand a thing it has the most complete list of sample photos in the internet.
 
:woot: I knew I could rely on you guys for useful information. The sample shots are very revealing stylgeo, many thanks for those.

So, the Nikon TC's can be discounted which leaves the choice between the sigma options and I think my target has to be the x1.4 for this lens, which if my maths are right, will give me about 420mm @ F4-ish, that will cover most eventuallities for what I tend to shoot and whilst extra reach would be nice, I think I prefer and image cropped a bit bit with good IQ to full size blurriness.

Many thanks to you all, much appreciated :thumbs:
 
I ahve the 120-300 on a canon. with the x2 it was pretty useless for me.. hated it

with the 1.4 the results are good but it did slow down the AF .. not noticable unless like me you use the lens for thousands of shots a week and at fast moving sports.. I noticed a slower AF that some wouldn't notice.

Slower AF at cricket for example it was perfect as it didn't matter so much. at football not so good.
 
My experience similar to Kipax, with sigma 2x results not so good-unless stopped down to around f11, 1.4 TC-absolutely brilliant images-but slightly slower AF.

The biggest issue is it's weight, it's an absolute beast of a lens-so a good solid tripod is an almost must.
 
Les McLean said:
My experience similar to Kipax, with sigma 2x results not so good-unless stopped down to around f11, 1.4 TC-absolutely brilliant images-but slightly slower AF.

The biggest issue is it's weight, it's an absolute beast of a lens-so a good solid tripod is an almost must.
Click to expand...

Yep, already had one for a week off Stewart at LfH and my monopod and tripod both are sturdy enough, and I can hand hold it reasonably well too as long as using faster shutter speeds, such as for motor racing. Hence I am happy to splash out on one as I have a good idea of its capabilities, it was just a case of deciding on a possible TC for future reference as I KNOW mr LL is NOT going to let me buy 400mm+ primes :shake: :lol:
 
Im watching this thread very closely as this is the lens im thinking about getting to replace my 100-400. I cant rememver the site now but there were some incredible shots taken with this lens and a 2x tc of some porsche racing series. They looked really good! Looks like a cracking lens i think!
 
I currently use a sigma 120-300 f2.8 on a 1d mkll and ocassionally use it on a 350d with and without a 2 x convertor for shooting sports. Depending what you are shooting this combo does struggle a liitle when I'm shooting rugby on a late winters afternoon, its a great combo for cricket though. The 1.4 is a better optiion as it responds a little quicker. you gradually get use to the weight of the lens, and can be hand held, with no real problem. I am more than happy with my lens., only annoying thing is the lens hood has to be reversed to fit cover andcarry in lens case.
 
A quick update, the lens is now ordered and a x1.4 TC - soooooo looking forward to giving this baby a run out, a week was not long enough with it last time I had my hands on one, now its all mine!!! :D :love:

Thanks to all you guys for the advice, very much appreciated as I might have blindly bought a x2 and been really really disappointed, so I think I have made the right choice and have roughly the right expectations of what to expect TC wise rather than inflated ones ;)
 
latereg said:
I currently use a sigma 120-300 f2.8 on a 1d mkll and ocassionally use it on a 350d with and without a 2 x convertor for shooting sports. Depending what you are shooting this combo does struggle a liitle when I'm shooting rugby on a late winters afternoon, its a great combo for cricket though. The 1.4 is a better optiion as it responds a little quicker. you gradually get use to the weight of the lens, and can be hand held, with no real problem. I am more than happy with my lens., only annoying thing is the lens hood has to be reversed to fit cover andcarry in lens case.
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Hey, welcome to TP, latereg! And top marks for being so helpful in only your second post.
 
LadyLens said:
A quick update, the lens is now ordered and a x1.4 TC - soooooo looking forward to giving this baby a run out, a week was not long enough with it last time I had my hands on one, now its all mine!!! :D :love:

Thanks to all you guys for the advice, very much appreciated as I might have blindly bought a x2 and been really really disappointed, so I think I have made the right choice and have roughly the right expectations of what to expect TC wise rather than inflated ones ;)
Click to expand...

AWESOME! :D
 
sorry for bumping an old post but it saves starting a new one :p

Have you got this yet and if so how are you finding it?
 
im really wanting this lens. it will compliment my line up nicely and replace my not so nice 70-300mm APO lens.
 
It looks like a fab lens and I have my eye on one as well once I get the cash together.

FWIW, I use a 100-400 and a 1.4x extender (Canon) which works really well giving me a 420mm 5.6 lens. A 420mm f4 lens would be just a beauty for me with a nice wide aperture, plus the flexibility of a zoom. Why Canon dont do one I've no idea. The 100-400 just doesn't cut it by comparison, being relatively slow.

Also if shooting with a body that allows micro adjustment of focus you can tweak the lens+extender combo to sharpen things up.
 
Joe T said:
I replaced one of those with this lens and I've never looked back! :D
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i'm not surprised - i have been UNFORTUNATE to try a 120-300 on a 40D and loved the combo! now all my spare pennies are going on this lens. (I wish the wife would stop booking holidays Grrr)

I say unfortunate as i have to look at the 70-300 and wish it was the 120-300! it hardly gets used now!
 
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