Sigma 300mm F/2.8 - Any Experience?

Spiderdudeuk

Spiderdudeuk

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I'm currently looking for a 300mm F2.8 and the Canon looks good, but comes with a hefty price tag even used. I'm sure that is for a reason, but I see the Sigma about but have struggled to find user experiences with this lens.

I'm looking at coupling it with both a 7d mkii and or a 1dx.

It will be used pitch side at various different sports.

Has anyone got any experience with this particular lens?

Is it worth a punt or am I better holding off and getting a few extra pennies together for the Canon?

Thanks in advance.
 
Good lens and sharp but rather dated these days .i borrowed one for a day and while good I never actually found the urge to buy one ,instead I went for the sigma 150-600 sport ,which gives the i.q with twice the focal length .your only problem would be the smaller aperture .but the I.s does make up for it
 
the black fox said:
Good lens and sharp but rather dated these days .i borrowed one for a day and while good I never actually found the urge to buy one ,instead I went for the sigma 150-600 sport ,which gives the i.q with twice the focal length .your only problem would be the smaller aperture .but the I.s does make up for it
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I already have the Sigma 150-600 C version, but for use in low light condition in a football ground it is just not suitable.

I have seen a few comments about the Sigma 300mm being dated, but my budget would probably only stretch to dated Canon as well... :-(
 
Dont know what your budget is but having a quick look at the mpb site for used 300 2.8 by CAnon it might be a fair amount. Have you considered the sigma 120-300 2.8

I'm looking for one currently in Nikon fit ans it seems to get good reviews.
 
I used a sigma 300/2.8 on a Canon 1D3 for a while for cricket, rugby and football shots. Perfectly good lens when it got the focus right. But my keeper rate was well down when compared to when I had a Canon 30/2.8. My Canon lens was very old and battered, bought off a freelance press photographer who seemed to keep his camera gear loose in the back of his car along with his dogs. I got it for a grand and it was fantastic.
 
Jim_Tod said:
Dont know what your budget is but having a quick look at the mpb site for used 300 2.8 by CAnon it might be a fair amount. Have you considered the sigma 120-300 2.8

I'm looking for one currently in Nikon fit ans it seems to get good reviews.
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markyboy.1967 said:
I have used a Sigma 120-300 for many many years and love the zoom. It allows shots where a 300 is just to long. Sharp and quite fast however the 120-300 Sport may be a better option as it will focus slightly quicker.
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I have considered the 120-300, and read a few reviews on it.. There seems to be a very mixed bag of comments about it, the majority being negative from what I can see.

ianmarsh said:
I used a sigma 300/2.8 on a Canon 1D3 for a while for cricket, rugby and football shots. Perfectly good lens when it got the focus right. But my keeper rate was well down when compared to when I had a Canon 30/2.8. My Canon lens was very old and battered, bought off a freelance press photographer who seemed to keep his camera gear loose in the back of his car along with his dogs. I got it for a grand and it was fantastic.
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The advice I received from a couple of freelance photographers was to get a battered 300mm and put a neoprene cover in it.

As long as optics clear then it would be a decent buy at between £800 & £1500... But got to admit nervous about buying something battered..
 
Spiderdudeuk said:
The advice I received from a couple of freelance photographers was to get a battered 300mm and put a neoprene cover in it.
As long as optics clear then it would be a decent buy at between £800 & £1500... But got to admit nervous about buying something battered..
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I'd agree with that advice. If you have a decent dealer somewhere near you let them know what you are looking for. They might normally turn down something too beaten up but if they know they have a buyer and if you know they will have checked it out optically everyone's a winner.

I bought mine off Gumtree in a cash deal round the back of Balham tube station late one evening. In hindsight, not probably my smartest move but it turned out fine. I'd go via a dealer next time round.
 
The 120-300 gets better reviews and is sharper than the 300 Sigma. Focus speed is pretty decent however these days things have moved on but certainly worth considering at the price range. I will buy a newer 120-300 when my old one finally gives up the ghost.
 
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