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Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM (1 Viewer)
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Weekend Birder
Well-known member
There's a good thread on it here
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=199481&highlight=Sigma+120-300mm+F2.8
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=199481&highlight=Sigma+120-300mm+F2.8
There is an extremely long thread on another forum about this lens.
Gazzajagman
Member
Yes it is. But consider secondhand if price is problem, they crop up every now and then.
The AF speed is fast but not as fast as the current top Canon L lenses are. My 70-200 f2.8 L IS II is quicker to AF lock and track than my Sigma 120-300. That said, the Siggi isn't slow at all. It's just that the latest Canon kit is very very fast!
I use my 120-300 OS with my 7D mostly and they work well together.
a.dancy
Registered User
Weekend Birder
Well-known member
Jeez you weren't kidding about it being long - 2,287 posts!
Gazzajagman
Member
I would agree with the original review posted here. It's focal length at minimum focus distance is around 240mm, there's no question about that. At infinity, I think it's close to 285mm, which is reasonably for a zoom.
It's a great lens, price and its performance is truely extraordinary at this price point. But it's not a replacement for a 300mm f2.8 L IS and to my mind, it's a halfway house between the big 300 from Canon and a 70-200/2.8 IS.
It's a great lens, price and its performance is truely extraordinary at this price point. But it's not a replacement for a 300mm f2.8 L IS and to my mind, it's a halfway house between the big 300 from Canon and a 70-200/2.8 IS.
I've not long since sold this lens. I previously owned a 300mm F4 L IS and 400mm F5.6 L but was finding I required both lenses at times as i'd miss closer wildlife with the 400mm having a long Minimum focus distance. The Sigma I thought would be the answer to my problems and give me extra reach with a 2x ( 600mm). However I found that wasn't the case. The sigma AF is just not as precise as the 400mm f5.6 is nor as fast when using the sigma with a 1.4x and probably not as good even as a bare lens. It seems even with 90's canon lenses they can still do better than Modern sigma's. The image quality when the AF got it right was great with the 1.4x but with the 2x the AF just didn't get it right enough and a medium amount of cropping revealed a big drop in IQ. The quality with the 1.4x is better than 300mm and 1.4x but the big downside comes from the lens being heavy for the quality it gives you. It's like you've got all the weight of a big L such as a 300mm F2.8 L IS but your left wanting the quality after lugging it around all day. I've tried a friends 300mm F2.8 L with a 1.4x and instantly found it impressive compared to the Sigma lens, it was very noticeable.
The sigma is much cheaper than the Canon but it all depends on what sort of quality you strive for with your pictures. I've now gone for the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS Mk2 and Im waiting to get a Canon 2x Mk3. I'm already extremely impressed by the AF speed with a 1.4x and quality but It remains to be seen what the lens can do with a 2x as I've only had chance to test it properly with a 2x sigma and in the shop with a Canon mk2. My images can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/acwildlife/ all shots are tagged properly if you want to find just the sigma images.
The sigma is much cheaper than the Canon but it all depends on what sort of quality you strive for with your pictures. I've now gone for the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS Mk2 and Im waiting to get a Canon 2x Mk3. I'm already extremely impressed by the AF speed with a 1.4x and quality but It remains to be seen what the lens can do with a 2x as I've only had chance to test it properly with a 2x sigma and in the shop with a Canon mk2. My images can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/acwildlife/ all shots are tagged properly if you want to find just the sigma images.
Overread
Hunting birds with a canon
I would agree with that. I think the 120-300mm is great for those that can't afford £5K on a 300mm MII but still want longer reach and a serviceable image quality. Certainly when stopped down to f7.1/8 the lens with a 2*TC can perform very well and deliver results that are very usable in teh real world.
Yes the 300mm prime is lighter and can beat it with a 2*TC - but honestly its more than twice the price. At these prices that is a lot and can mean a massive additional amount of saving required.
Gazzajagman
Member
Yep and it's a nice half way house. Especially now that there are good condition used copies of both the 120-300 and 300 LIS available. It make the upgrade more accesible and buying a S/H 120-300 isn't going to loose much if one chooses to resale.
