Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8

[Adamski]

Just ordered one of these beasties.

Should be arriving at work on Friday so will hopefully be taking it out with the D200 over the weekend for a test run. Will be placing the 135-400 back in it's box and giving it a rest.

Been saving up for a few months for this one so glad it's finally on it's way. I know there are a few others on the forum who have this lens so any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

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[seriousrikk]

My biggest peice of advice is get a good monopod

I've been shooting with this lens for a year and I can honestly say it is the best lens I have owned, ever (and I so don't want to sell it ). It takes some getting used to though - so expect some howlers on your first trip out as the weight is a shock at first.

Bear in mind I mostly use AI servo... You will have to learn to treat it as a prime you can change the focal lengh of rather than a zoom. If you zoom while focussing - even a bit - you shot will likely be soft. The way I shoot with it is know what focal lengh I need (ish) before I start focussing.

The auto focus needs a little time to 'lock' but once it has got the subject then it will hang on like a limpet - I've never had a well locked subject loose AF on servo. Each time I have it has been my fault.

DOF on a 300 F2.8 is minute, and the fall off from in focus to out of focus is rapid - so if you mis focus even by a little the image will likely be soft. I found this a lot and as a result of owning this lens I have got so much better at keeping my AF point on target!

Overall, while there are a few fun quirks, this is a fantastic lens that you will either love, love, love.... love or not get on with at all.

Hope this helps

 

[Joe T]

To add/echo the above:

1. Yes, get a good monopod. It is one heavy lens. I usually the monopod in a puch, so it is connected to me rather than the ground

2. What do you intend to use it for? I use mine for sports and motorsport (not tired it yet on the D200 for motorsport though, only D70). It tracks targets well, and the AF is as fast as I could ask for.

3. Get the 1.4tc to go with it. The extra focal length (to 420mm) is useful, and it is still only f4. I hear the 2x converter suffers from some IQ issues compared to the 1.4x ands you also lose 2 stops rather than one.

Thats all I can think of for now!

Hope this helps.

 

[Adamski]

To add/echo the above:

1. Yes, get a good monopod. It is one heavy lens. I usually the monopod in a puch, so it is connected to me rather than the ground

Have ordered a Manfrotto 694 magfibre as my cheap & cheerful Jessops monopod is not strong enough.

2. What do you intend to use it for? I use mine for sports and motorsport (not tired it yet on the D200 for motorsport though, only D70). It tracks targets well, and the AF is as fast as I could ask for.

Will be using it for Cricket, Lacrosse, Football and hopefully some motorsport. Oulton Park is only 25 miles away so will have to go down there and give it a thorough testing.

3. Get the 1.4tc to go with it. The extra focal length (to 420mm) is useful, and it is still only f4. I hear the 2x converter suffers from some IQ issues compared to the 1.4x ands you also lose 2 stops rather than one.

Have already ordered the 1.4tc so will be using that to get to the middle of the cricket pitch.

Thats all I can think of for now!

Hope this helps.

Many thanks to Joe & Richard for their comments.

 

[Hacker]

I'd be interested to see how you get on, I've been thinking about this lens (or the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 prime) but I haven't seen one in the flesh.

For those of you who do have one, how do you rate it?