Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 - what's it like

Meeten

Meeten

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Meeten
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Anyone have any real life experiences of this lens?
I know that there are at least 2 versions, and it is quite a heavy beast. Apart from that, I'm looking for some more details.

My local camera shop has one in stock (2nd hand), so am planning to go have a look. Any ideas on price? Assuming it is in good condition, what should I expect to be tapped up for?

I have the 50-150 f2.8 and am more than happy with it, and as I don't shoot wildlife / motorsports, it's not as though I NEED then lens. But then Mrs Meeten doesn't need the 5 million pairs of shoes that she seems to have acquired .... :thinking:
 
I only tried one for a short time but opted for the canon 300 prime, the sig is a very good lens not sure about price but have a look on ebay for completed listings.
 
malla1962 said:
I only tried one for a short time but opted for the canon 300 prime, the sig is a very good lens not sure about price but have a look on ebay for completed listings.
Click to expand...

£1,000 :thinking:

going there to see if I can borrow it for the weekend.
good thing that I know the owner :clap:
 
If its in good condition and its an EX DG one (not sure what other versions there are if any) id say £1000 especially from a shop is good going.
 
Not sure about the Canon versions bought one recently for my D90 but after a week I sent it back to Warehouse Express as the focus was very soft, which was a shame as it is well built, if a tad heavy.

Other Sigma lenses I own cannot be faulted, just my luck to get a duffer.

Have now bought a Nikon 300mm f4 which is excellent. I would still be interested in one if it had proven top notch focus as the zoom factor is handy.
 
I use one, it's a Mk1 version, and I'm happy with it, not as fast at focusing a prime lens, but does the job, it's a beast to carry around.
Not sure of prices, but I paid around £750 (s/h) for mine a couple of years ago.

Here's a recent shot with this lens (with a 1.4TC)

http://www.lesmclean.co.uk/Filey_july2010/IMG_6461.jpg
 
Here's one from mine:

_DSC9182.jpg


100% crop, straight from camera:

_DSC9182100.jpg


It's not a perfect lens in any way, but suits my needs better than anything else, and after a quick unsharp mask I'm more than happy to send to print. However, I have only tried up to A3.

190mm, f2.8, 1/1600s, ISO200
 
Les McLean said:
I use one, it's a Mk1 version, and I'm happy with it, not as fast at focusing a prime lens, but does the job, it's a beast to carry around.
Not sure of prices, but I paid around £750 (s/h) for mine a couple of years ago.

Here's a recent shot with this lens (with a 1.4TC)

http://www.lesmclean.co.uk/Filey_july2010/IMG_6461.jpg
Click to expand...

Thats a cracker of a shot Les! I would be over the moon with that. Was it at Bempton cliffs? Anymore to look at with this Lens Les via a link?

Regards
John
 
OK - one thing that I have realised about this lens is that it is furqin heavy!
And at 300mm there is NO WAY that I can take a pic in focus sans remote.

It's pretty OI! hit with the 1.4TC as well .....

More to follow
 
IMO:

IQ is Pretty Good, Better than expected from Sigma, then for a 2K lens it really should be but it's no EF300mm USM 2.8is (don't expect it to be)

Yes it heavy but only in comparison to low end equivalent focal length lenses, and its weight does inspire build confidence,

100-300 Range is really useful instead of maybe 70-200 2.8 to get that little bit closer, and whack it on a 7D and you virtually a 200-500mm f2.8 zoom (equiv 35mm)

I would love an Image Stabilser to be added to this lens and would be one of the 1st in the que to PX my DG in...

I have to say well done Sigma on this lens, and the 8mm DG too !

Al'
 
I think its a great lens.

Its pretty heavy, but it is well built compared to other sigma lenses that I have experienced. Im not too sure that the finish/coating will last forever, but apart from that the build is good.

Image wise, ofcourse its not good as a Canon 300mm 2.8, but at half of the price, how could anyone expect it to be?

It is still a very sharp lens though and it gives you the flexibility of a zoom where a prime may not be appopriate. It also works well with the Canon 1.4x convertor, I've not tried the 2x but I've heard mixed results. One thing that it lacks that would be useful, especially given its weight, is an image stabiliser, or optical stabilser in sigmas world.

Its not a perfect lens but if a prime is either too expensive or too inflexible for you, I think its the best alternative out there at the moment.
 
I own this lens and love it. As already said its not the best lens when compared to the canon 300mm but it is much cheaper and versatile. The 1.4tc also works well with just a margin of image quality lost.

Example:

420mm (1.4tc), F8, iso 1600, 1/1000, canon 50D (672mm - 35mm equivalent)
_MG_9234.jpg

Exif data in tact

This was also taken hand held.
 
am i right in thinking that when continuously focussing it stops focussing if you zoom, ala release focus button, zoom, re-focus?
 
well, i got my paws on the lens, and it's a beast!

Here it is on a gripped 40D

sigma120300mm1.jpg


sigma120300mm6.jpg


Here it is at 120mm on some oxeye daisys in the garden
sigma120300mm7.jpg


and then at 300mm
sigma120300mm8.jpg


and then when you slap on a 1.4TC
sigma120300mm9.jpg
 
neil_g said:
go careful letting the 40D take the weight of the lens like that.. id get it supported on the lens tripod mount :)

have fun shooting with the beasty :thumbs:
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Fear not - the body was mounted on the tripod v briefly, only for the photos to be taken :bonk:

I'm not into birding and don't have the time to do motorsports, so this lens will be returned to the shop that I borrowed it from ... and also, it's not exactly the easiest toy to hide from Mrs Meeten :bang:
 
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