Sigma 300mm f2.8 and Nikon 300mm f2.8

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Steveo_Hants

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I am considering a 300mm prime for when I get back to photographing football. The Nikon 300mm f2.8 G AF-S VR is just a tad too expensive! So that leaves the Sigma 300mm f2.8 or a second hand Nikon, the one before the VR version. I think its called 300mm f2.8D ED-IF II AF-S.
So here are my questions:

1. Is the Sigma good quality IQ wise, I am not expecting it to be quite as good as the Nikon but is it close?

2. Anyone know what is a good price for a second hand Sigma 300mm f2.8 EX DG HSM?

3. Anyone know what is a good price for the previous (Non VR) version of the Nikon 300mm f2.8, the 300mm f2.8D ED-IF II AF-S.
 
I can't speak for the Nikon 300mm f2.8, but i've got the Sigma 300mm f2.8 and I love it. Focusing is fast and relatively accurate (hunts occasionally, but I think this may be camera settings and lighting conditions more than the lens) and the IQ is great. If you look on my deviantart page (in sig), most of the wildlife (And event and some portrait) shots have been taken with this lens. Both on its own and with the 1.4X converter. Having said that, if I had the money I would still like the Nikon version. I paid £650 for mine btw, whichj I think was a very good price. Expect to pay £650-£800. :)
 
Cheers MK. There is one on Ebay over here in Oz that is going for $2,000, which is just under £1,000. I thought it was a good price, maybe not now though after reading your reply.
 
For something priced between the two take a look at the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 - it gets excellent reviews!
 
FranchiseJuan said:
By football do you mean Aussie Rules, Rugby or Soccer? I don't think a 300 is long enough for any of them.
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Soccer, I used to do ok with 70-200mm so I think a 300mm will be good for me. Used to do non league games back in the UK so can get very close to the sideline, infact on the sideline at home games!

-Oy- said:
For something priced between the two take a look at the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 - it gets excellent reviews!
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Any idea if the 120-300mm is as good as the 300mm prime?
 
How is the Sigma at F2.8 ?.
Been thinking of getting the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS USM or the Sigma and cant make my mind up.
 
PapaLazarou said:
How is the Sigma at F2.8 ?.
Been thinking of getting the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS USM or the Sigma and cant make my mind up.
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Sharp, but not super sharp. Stop it down to f4 and its super sharp. If budget was no issue, then I would opt for the Canon (If I was a Canon man).
 
No direct experience of the Nikon, but I picked up a used Sigma 300 F2.8 recently for £900 which I felt was a good deal. Maybe not so now.

It's a nice lens and works well with their 1.4* converter.
 
Messiah Khan said:
Apparently as good as if not a fraction better than the Sigma 300mm f2.8 :)
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MK, any idea where you saw that or read it? Would be very interested if that was a proper review.
 
I would save and go for the Nikon personnally here in the UK Nikon 300mm F2.8 AF ones used then to start around the £1500 GBP some of the early ones are a bit cheaper, but they will be well used.

I bought a cosmetically battered manual focus version about 8 years ago and it is fab! :nikon: . In fact :thinking: must look at trading it for an AF version.
 
Knikki, I have been having a hunt around for them from UK suppliers but not had much luck, any suggestions on where to look?
 
Steveo_Hants said:
Knikki, I have been having a hunt around for them from UK suppliers but not had much luck, any suggestions on where to look?
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Its one of those things where you have just keep looking, but the places I haunt are.

www.ffordes.co.uk have bought stuff off them and very good, prices not bad

http://www.mxv.co.uk/ have a friend who has bought off them an was impressed

http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/ActChange.htm not bought from personnally but seem to get good write ups

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/ specialise in Nikon probable the more expensive place but highly recomended for Nikon gear

And of couse there is always our old friend Ebay.
 
Knikki said:
Its one of those things where you have just keep looking, but the places I haunt are.

www.ffordes.co.uk have bought stuff off them and very good, prices not bad

http://www.mxv.co.uk/ have a friend who has bought off them an was impressed

http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/ActChange.htm not bought from personnally but seem to get good write ups

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/ specialise in Nikon probable the more expensive place but highly recomended for Nikon gear

And of couse there is always our old friend Ebay.
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Thanks, not come across MXV before.
 
PapaLazarou said:
How is the Sigma at F2.8 ?.
Been thinking of getting the Canon 300 F2.8 L IS USM or the Sigma and cant make my mind up.
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At the risk of sounding like a pimp, I can think of a way you could get your hands on both of them to test back-to-back ;)
 
Steveo_Hants said:
Knikki, I have been having a hunt around for them from UK suppliers but not had much luck, any suggestions on where to look?
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Comley Cameras have a Mint Sigma 300mm 2.8 for sale. I borrowed it for a couple of days to use on my D300. I was really impressed! To the extent that I nearly decided to give up looking for a 200-400mm. I used it with the Nikon 1.7 converter and found it spot on.
If you're interested, the number is: 01472 692082. Ask for Paul and say Kev Shore sent you. He's a decent bloke.
 
kevshore said:
Comley Cameras have a Mint Sigma 300mm 2.8 for sale. I borrowed it for a couple of days to use on my D300. I was really impressed! To the extent that I nearly decided to give up looking for a 200-400mm. I used it with the Nikon 1.7 converter and found it spot on.
If you're interested, the number is: 01472 692082. Ask for Paul and say Kev Shore sent you. He's a decent bloke.
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Kev, any idea how much they want for it? I am currently in Australia so won't be buying from a UK dealer quite yet, but would be good to know what sort of price these are going for in case I find one whilst I am here in Aus.:thumbs:
 
Messiah Khan said:
I can't speak for the Nikon 300mm f2.8, but i've got the Sigma 300mm f2.8 and I love it. Focusing is fast and relatively accurate (hunts occasionally, but I think this may be camera settings and lighting conditions more than the lens) and the IQ is great. If you look on my deviantart page (in sig), most of the wildlife (And event and some portrait) shots have been taken with this lens. Both on its own and with the 1.4X converter. Having said that, if I had the money I would still like the Nikon version. I paid £650 for mine btw, whichj I think was a very good price. Expect to pay £650-£800. :)
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If I remember rightly you bought that lens of Notch. If it is, I used the exact same one (worked with him back in England). It was indeed a fantastic lens to use. Sharp, contrasty, good focus.

In fact, if you hadnt snapped it up and if I hadnt of been so poor at the time I would of taken it off his hands.

Though, after much debating with the wife I currently use a Nikon 300 f/2.8 VR. To be honest, bar the VR, the differences are negligible. Though, this is comparing them on a cropped sensor. I dont know how the Sigma would perform on the D3 which my Nikon is attached to.
 
Steveo_Hants said:
Kev, any idea how much they want for it? I am currently in Australia so won't be buying from a UK dealer quite yet, but would be good to know what sort of price these are going for in case I find one whilst I am here in Aus.:thumbs:
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I think it was about £1000, but they usually negotiate. It was literally new though.Used a couple of times.
 
I ahve been offered a Sigma 300mm F2.8 DG HSM version with a Sigma 2xTC here in Australia for $1800, which is approx 850 pounds. Its quite tempting if they want 1000 pounds just for the lens.
 
Negotiation is a wonderful thing, managed to get him down to $1,700 now. HELP, I'm not sure if I should buy this or hold off to see if a cheaper one comes up.
 
King_Boru said:
If I remember rightly you bought that lens of Notch. If it is, I used the exact same one (worked with him back in England). It was indeed a fantastic lens to use. Sharp, contrasty, good focus.

In fact, if you hadnt snapped it up and if I hadnt of been so poor at the time I would of taken it off his hands.

Though, after much debating with the wife I currently use a Nikon 300 f/2.8 VR. To be honest, bar the VR, the differences are negligible. Though, this is comparing them on a cropped sensor. I dont know how the Sigma would perform on the D3 which my Nikon is attached to.
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Hehe, what a small world it is. Yeah, thats the same lens. :)

Steveo_Hants said:
Negotiation is a wonderful thing, managed to get him down to $1,700 now. HELP, I'm not sure if I should buy this or hold off to see if a cheaper one comes up.
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I'd say go for it. If you miss this one it might be ages until another one pops up. It's still a good price. :)
 
I have been in contact with the guy and I said I'll sleep on it. He was happy with that. He said he'll cover the P&P too which is good, its not cheap from one side of Aus to the other!

Might have a sleepless night!
 
I use the Sigma with the 1.4x on my D3. I've had no issues with it at all. It's still nice and sharp with the TC on it. I lust after the VR on the Nikon though. I wouldn't trade the Sigma other than for VR I don't think.

Pete
 
I have agreed to buy it and have transfered the funds. He is going to post it tomorrow so should have it Tuesday or Wednesday.

Can't wait!!!
 
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