Sigma unveils 120-300 f/2.8 EX OS

[howiewu]

So what is the 120-300 f/2.8 good for?

Originally Posted by Sirrith

For wildlife as well as events, you'd probably be better off (your wallet will be for sure) if you just get a 70-200 OS for events, and a 120-400 or 150-500 for wildlife.

[genjurok]

Originally Posted by Sirrith

For wildlife as well as events, you'd probably be better off (your wallet will be for sure) if you just get a 70-200 OS for events, and a 120-400 or 150-500 for wildlife.

Actually I'm more concerned about the weight/size rather than the cost. After all, the two lens 70-200 OS + 150-500 or 120-400 won't be much cheaper than the 120-300 OS alone. And the 120-300 OS seems a far better lens than the 150-500 or 120-400 according to photography forums everywhere.

[Silverfox1]

Originally Posted by genjurok

Actually I'm more concerned about the weight/size rather than the cost. After all, the two lens 70-200 OS + 150-500 or 120-400 won't be much cheaper than the 120-300 OS alone. And the 120-300 OS seems a far better lens than the 150-500 or 120-400 according to photography forums everywhere.

If i didnt already have the stellar 70-200MKII & a nice copy of the 400/f5.6 prime this lens would be a great alternative with the ONLY negative being the weight. With that being said an economical monopod and a stable head solves the weight problem. Along with a 1.4 extender to get you 420mm at f4.

IMO get it !

Regards,

[Honey Monster]

I'm after some advice. I am looking for a long lens for a 7D, mainly for wildlife in Scotland and further afield. Is the Sigma 120 - 300 OS + extenders the best use of my money or should I be spending the money on different lenses? I have used the 100 - 400 but like the idea of f2.8, better OS and weather sealing and 400mm never seems quite long enough. The weight doesn't really bother me as I am quite large myself and can always use a monpod / tripod.

If the 120 - 300 is a good idea, what extenders should I be looking at - Sigma, Kenko??

Thanks

Mike

[KenjiS]

I'd stick to Sigma extenders on a Sigma lens personally

The nice thing about the 120-300 is at 420mm its f/4 and optically its better than the 100-400...

[Silverfox1]

Originally Posted by Honey Monster

I have used the 100 - 400 but like the idea of f2.8, better OS and weather sealing and 400mm never seems quite long enough. The weight doesn't really bother me as I am quite large myself and can always use a monpod / tripod.
Thanks

Mike

Sounds like your a prime candidate for the 500/f4 IS from your statement that 400mm is never long enough. To maintain f2.8 the Canon 400/f2.8 IS is your only option & a very expensive one at that.

You need to glance below at some of the photos taken with the 500/f4 IS with a 1.4 at 700mm/f5.6 & a FOV of 1120mm on a 1.6 crop body as you have.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...26121&page=104

This Sigma 120-300 with a 2X at f5.6 is not going to produce the IQ the 500/f4 IS will with a 1.4 at f5.6

Periodically you can find the 500/f4 IS for $5.5K if that fits within your budget.

Regards,

[bobbyz]

Originally Posted by Honey Monster

I'm after some advice. I am looking for a long lens for a 7D, mainly for wildlife in Scotland and further afield. Is the Sigma 120 - 300 OS + extenders the best use of my money or should I be spending the money on different lenses? I have used the 100 - 400 but like the idea of f2.8, better OS and weather sealing and 400mm never seems quite long enough. The weight doesn't really bother me as I am quite large myself and can always use a monpod / tripod.

If the 120 - 300 is a good idea, what extenders should I be looking at - Sigma, Kenko??

Thanks

Mike

Why f2.8?

Personally I would pick 500mm f4 IS if not 600mm f4 IS if range was main issue. Then slap 1.4xTC or even 2xTC. 300mm is too low a reach IMHO. and Sigma is not 300mm either more like 280mm or so.

[micloi]

Originally Posted by Silverfox1

This Sigma 120-300 with a 2X at f5.6 is not going to produce the IQ the 500/f4 IS will with a 1.4 at f5.6

It is darn close:

1. Sigma 120-300mm at 600mm f5.6 (kenko 2x DG)
2. Canon 500mm at 700mm f5.6 (Canon 1.4x II)





And a sharpened version at 600mm f5.6

[DDL]

Trying to get some color today at Shouldice Park (unfortunately bright harsh midday sun). All at 300mm f/2.8 OS Handheld - 100% crop at default ACR sharpening.

Kid tricycle


Fisherman below the bridge I was on beside the Bow River


Dog that has obviously lost a fight


Leaping Dog


Pedestrian Bridge (plaque was focus target)

[gocolts]

Originally Posted by KenjiS

I'd stick to Sigma extenders on a Sigma lens personally

The nice thing about the 120-300 is at 420mm its f/4 and optically its better than the 100-400...

I found this to be the case with my non-OS 120-300 vs. the 100-400L, hence I sold the 100-400.

Even with the 2x extender, results are better at 600mm f/5.6 than any other $1,800 (lens + extender cost, purchased used last year) is going to get you. I saw a pro at a MotoGP race last year using this combo, which is when I realized that if it's good enough for someone who's professional well-being depended on it, it was good for a hack like me who just likes going to motor races.

Check the lens sample archive, if you plan to shoot outdoors under reasonable lighting, the results are great.

And that's all with the non-OS version...it can only get better you would hope.

[Silverfox1]

Although i tested lenses with 2x extenders and even stacked with a 1.4, i am not a big fan of using more then a 1.4 but whatever satisfies folks in the IQ and AF performance of the respective lens is really all that matters.

Keven recently released some BIF pics below using his 60D+2X+70-200MKII so i know thru my testing the AF remains fairly responsive on this lens with a 2X and not just aiming in the bright sky as he did.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1049820

So how is the AF performance affected using a 2X on this new Sigma at f8.0 in decent outdoor ambient lighting conditions taking into account every body + extender combo can react different ?

IMO so far this Sigma lens is proving to be a viable alternative for alot of folks and only a few more questions need to be answered to help others to take the plunge when more copies hit the shelves.

Regards,

[Muteki]

Originally Posted by Silverfox1

Although i tested lenses with 2x extenders and even stacked with a 1.4, i am not a big fan of using more then a 1.4 but whatever satisfies folks in the IQ and AF performance of the respective lens is really all that matters.

Keven recently released some BIF pics below using his 60D+2X+70-200MKII so i know thru my testing the AF remains fairly responsive on this lens with a 2X and not just aiming in the bright sky as he did.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1049820

So how is the AF performance affected using a 2X on this new Sigma at f8.0 in decent outdoor ambient lighting conditions taking into account every body + extender combo can react different ?

IMO so far this Sigma lens is proving to be a viable alternative for alot of folks and only a few more questions need to be answered to help others to take the plunge when more copies hit the shelves.

Regards,

Yeah, I would like to know about the 2x TC as well. So far, the lens looks like it does well without TC and with 1.4x TC. I would be interested in 2x TC (I've seen the photo is good, but would be more interested in the AF performance, in terms of the speed of locking into the subject and tracking movements, preferably fast ones).

[Skraap]

Video of the lens here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41D0W...&feature=feedu

[Mike55]

Originally Posted by micloi

It is darn close:

1. Sigma 120-300mm at 600mm f5.6 (kenko 2x DG)
2. Canon 500mm at 700mm f5.6 (Canon 1.4x II)





And a sharpened version at 600mm f5.6

Amazing.

[kirish]

Originally Posted by Skraap

Video of the lens here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41D0W...&feature=feedu

I don't know why but I like Fro Knows Photo. I wish he would have done some AF testing. That would have been interesting to see in action.