Sigma 120-300 f2.8 vs Sigma 100-300 f/4

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Lee
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Hi All

I am in two minds over a repalcement for my Sigma 70-300 APO lens. its too soft at the long end without stopping it doen silly amounts which means that i get very little bokeh and i have to have very good light as well.

my kit also consists of:

sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5
canon 50mm f1.8

ordered kit is

sigma 150mm Macro
canon 85mm f/1.8

my question is which lens to replace my 70-300 and does the f/2.8 warrant the almost extra £800 pounds for it. If the IQ is substantially better than the f/4 then it could become a possibility. I will be planning on using it with a 1.4X converter as well.

any thoughts on this - is it worth saving the extra £800 or should i stick with the f/4

so far pros for the f2.8:
extra stop of light
better DOF control

pros for f/4
cheaper
lighter
bigger range of focal length.

help please.
 
have you considered the canon 70-300IS, cheaper and would still be an improvement over the sigma 70-300
 
I have considered it and have used one but i really would like a smaller apeture at the long end. I would like a constant aperture as well through the focal range.
 
The 120-300 is a superb lens, but owning it is a real commitment due to the size.
 
something tells me i need to start saving then.
I know i will use it. - it will also open up some indoor photography for me aswell.
I just want to see the look on the wifes face when the lens box get delivered.
 
if you've not seen the lens in the flesh, brace yourself, and tell the missus to sit down... its a monster!
 
i have seen it and used it! It is heavy but i loved the results i got from using it!
I was so scared i didnt want to drop it!
 
Try this: go to Jessops and buy a 100-300 f4 (£664 with "SUMMER35" discount code). Try it and if you dont like it, take it back and get your money back. They have a no-quibble 28-day refund policy. Cheaper than hiring!

I had a mixed experience - the first copy I had would not focus properly. The second one which I picked up on Saturday is excellent. I chose the 100-300 as it fits in my bag so more likely to get taken everywhere, and I couldn't justify the extra for the 2.8.
 
other halfs dad used a D300 with the 120-300 and his results are great, he has used my D200 with 100-300 and commented on how sharp this was (obviously not as good as his (i would say) but it seemed to really suprise him

i cant see £800 worth of difference between the two sets of pics to warrant one though lol
 
you'll get 600mm 5.6 with your 2.8 and a x2 teleconverter. Thats a nice usable lens. 600mm F8 on the other would not be useable IMO
 
im not bothered about using the 2x TC as pictures get soft etc and focus wise its gets slow from what i have heard.

it would be a matter of 420 f4 or 420 f5.6.

I wish i could have them both side by side and do a handling test. I have handled the 120-300 before but not in comparism situation though.

I can get the 100-400 for £590 which i think is not a bad price for it but for £1300+ for the 120-300 its getting pricey!
 
I own the 100-300mm f4 and have often considered going for the 120-300mm but tbh I really don't think its worth my while..I would rarely use the 120-300mm wide open and its a hefty lens to hand hold whereas the f4 is very handlable..its also very sharp wide open...I have often had the cash to upgrade but still haven't and don't think I will. The 100-300 is a fantastic lens and amazes me every time I use it..
 
StuartH said:
I own the 100-300mm f4 and have often considered going for the 120-300mm but tbh I really don't think its worth my while..I would rarely use the 120-300mm wide open and its a hefty lens to hand hold whereas the f4 is very handlable..its also very sharp wide open...I have often had the cash to upgrade but still haven't and don't think I will. The 100-300 is a fantastic lens and amazes me every time I use it..
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:withstupid:
Yeah, what he said :)

The 100-300mm is a mighty lens in its own right - it weighs and looks like it means business!

Put the extra cash to something else;)
 
The 120-300 comes into its one with the 1.4x TC, amazing IQ and even the 2x is pretty good. Its the cheapest good quality autofocsuing 600mm you can get.
 
The 120-300 is a magnificent lens but a real commitment to use. You just can't carry it around 'just in case' if you know what I mean.
I personally upgraded from a Sigma 70-300 and I never looked back. But as i said, if you want to go out with the 120-300, you will take the lens, your camera and a good tripod. And that's a lot to carry around, but still ok for hiking.
You should consider the cost of a good tripod aswell, if you don't have one. I see you ordered the 150 macro, so you'll def need one anw. I bought the Manfrotto 055XPROB due to the fact that it's strong and durable (and heavy) for the 120-300 and it has an adjustable centre column just in case I get a macro lens myself.
IQ wise the lens is brilliant! I get images I would never have imagined but it needs patience!
There are lots of threads here, some from me aswell, about this lens. Have a quick search. I remember posting some sample photos from 100% crops of the lens at 300mm @f2.8. If you don't find the threads let me know to repost some.
 
Its not a purchase that going to happen immediatley. Should have the meny saved up by thet end of the year. I will be using the 055XPROB as its jsut the right height without the centre column raised.

I have seen sample images from the f/2.8 and the f4

Just on the price issue i am leaning towards the f/4 lens. as mentioned i amy rearly use the f/2.8 aperture.
I can always upgrade if i really must.
 
Bit of a revival!


I am now in a postion to have get both a 50D and 100-300mm f/4 Lens

I have chosen this for one big reason.
Weight and size.

I travel quite often and thats not a lens for traveling, i.e. on a trip into town in some exotic country. I cn imagine the wife not being impressed. i wont be impressed with the weight. Infact it may even reduce the amount i use that focal range of the ' cant be bothered' excuse. Idont have a car so ease of trasnport is important.
I will. be using a 1.4x TC and to be fair 420mm f/5.6 is ample.

The 50D should be with me at the end of Nov and the 100-300 f/4 should be with me in the new year!

off to think about a wide angle now! :p
 
I'm facing a very similar decision at the moment, some good discussion in this thread, it'd be nice to see some supporting 100% crops too ;)

I mainly use the long lens for aircraft photography so the F/2.8 would be a real advantage!
 
I don't think I have any suitable crops from the 100-300mm - but I know I have some from the 120-300mm that I can dig out if you wish.
If you plan on walking any great distance with the lens then the 120-300 takes commitment - it is a heavy beast.
 
I'm planning on replacing my old 300 F/4L and my even older 80-200 F/2.8L

The weight should be ok :thumbs: I'd love to see some crops.
 
Is a tripod a must have with either of these lenses or are the handholdable, I already wander round all day happily with a D200, D2x and 70-300VR
 
Also is it possible to get AF on the f4 with 2x TC
 
ppp said:
Is a tripod a must have with either of these lenses or are the handholdable, I already wander round all day happily with a D200, D2x and 70-300VR
Click to expand...

The 70-300 VR weighs about the same as the lens hood on the 120-300 :lol:

ppp said:
Also is it possible to get AF on the f4 with 2x TC
Click to expand...

I would doubt it, especially on a Nikon body, f/5.6 is the generally accepted maximum.
 
Well looking at it the 70-300 is half the weight of the 100-300 f4 which I think is the more likely candidate so I think I will be ok to handhold
 
ppp said:
Well looking at it the 70-300 is half the weight of the 100-300 f4 which I think is the more likely candidate so I think I will be ok to handhold
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It is fine to hand hold, and absolutely mint with a monopod :)
 
I have the 100-300mm f4 and the 1.4x tc which does sometimes struggle at 420mm.

Sharpness of the lens is spot on, i love mine. I paid £425 for a mint dg version, i'd struggle to get the 120-300mm f2.8 for under £1200, which i think is not worth it for the extra f stop.
 
Is it just struggling to focus?
 
I have the 120-300

It is very heavy, I'm not a small guy but last time I went out with it I got tennis elbow!

That said, its a lovely lens :-)
 
rrfierce said:
it does focus ok, on a static object, but 420mm panning for motorsport and it struggles to keep up.
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I experienced this just today. Put a 1.4x convertor one and the AF is no where near as snappy.
 
Having now owned both the 120-300 is fantastic low light and worth the money over the 100-300 IMO, focus is fantastic, very useable at 420mm F4 aswell with no problems

but the sigma 100-300 is still a cracking lens for the money, i hope to have another one soon to play with
 
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