Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 - good/bad/indifferent?

[Ed Sutton]

I had a 150-500 in the past which was sometimes good and sometimes not! Idly asking for experiences of this lens as I'm finding my 70-300 a bit short at times but 400 would be enough.. Would be shoved on a D750.

TIA

 

[derekG]

Cant help you much on this except I was contemplating the same lens for the last couple of weeks but ending up buying a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM instead , after reading the reviews on both of them , it seemed to be a half decent lens the Sigma, mainly good reviews, but in the end I plumped for the white one but autofocus is a bit slow so I may regret it.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Cant help you much on this except I was contemplating the same lens for the last couple of weeks but ending up buying a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM instead , after reading the reviews on both of them , it seemed to be a half decent lens the Sigma, mainly good reviews, but in the end I plumped for the white one but autofocus is a bit slow so I may regret it.

Thanks anyway. Good to see I'm not the only one thinking about this lens.

 

[welshwizard645]

I thought the 150-500 had a better reputation than the 120-400, but if you are looking at used why not look at the Nikkor 80-400s. The 'D' is a bit slow while the newer 'G' is faster focussing but much more expensice.

The other option is, if your 70-300 is a Nikkor, is to get the TCE14-III. The 1.4x works, but the 2.0x doesn't.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I thought the 150-500 had a better reputation than the 120-400, but if you are looking at used why not look at the Nikkor 80-400s. The 'D' is a bit slow while the newer 'G' is faster focussing but much more expensice.

The other option is, if your 70-300 is a Nikkor, is to get the TCE14-III. The 1.4x works, but the 2.0x doesn't.

I'm looking at 'as cheap as possible' because it's not something I'll use much. Otherwise it would be the 80-400, or even the 200-500. I wasn't aware the TC would work with the 70-300 Nikkor. Ta.

 

[welshwizard645]

It depends on the version of the lens I believe, and 'with limitations'. The 70-300 isn't listed as 'compatible' by Nikon but your D750 does offer f8 support so I would suggest testing the latest TCE14 with the lens and camera and see how it performs under UK daylight. Just check that there is no danger of the front element of the TC won;t clash with the rear element of the lens.

The 1.7 and 2.0 TCs cannot be used because they won't fit as: you lost f8 support and the front element of the 2.0 juts out too far.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Just check that there is no danger of the front element of the TC won;t clash with the rear element of the lens.

Thanks. That's what I thought might be the problem.

Don't think I'll be going the TC route thoiugh.

 

[the black fox]

If you can get a good working copy the Nikon 300mm f4 af-s is superb and takes 1.4 1.7 and 2x tc’s .

 

[Ed Sutton]

If you can get a good working copy the Nikon 300mm f4 af-s is superb and takes 1.4 1.7 and 2x tc’s .

Thanks, but it doesn't zoom.

Anyway, I've decided the best plan is to save my money and forget about taking the photos it was intended for. They were only a passing fancy!