Versions of Sigma 120-300/2.8

Hi all,

I'm looking into the most economical way of getting hold of a 300/2.8, zoom or prime.

The best bet at the moment appears to be Sigma's 120-300/2.8, but I'm getting lost in the versions.

So far I see old models with and without OS and new models with and without OS.

Either that, or people are just rubbish at marking up the proper name.

Also I see reviews for the 'IF' and 'DG' variants, but IF is internal focusing and DG is digital - we're not going to be seeing anything other than that are we? They're all DG and IF surely?

I was specifically looking at a copy on a UK site, MPB photographic.

Can anyone help out understanding what versions came when and whether they're any good?

Thanks

here's the MPB link;
http://www.mpbphotogra​phic.co.uk …-apo-hsm,-canon-ef-fit-1/

is it this one?;
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …X-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

3 versions.... old one, newer one, and then newest with OS part of the new Sport series...

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16020829
here's the MPB link;
http://www.mpbphotogra​phic.co.uk …-apo-hsm,-canon-ef-fit-1/

is it this one?;
http://www.the-digital-picture.com …X-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

those are the same lenses...the older non OS version

the newest one is the OS Sport version, and it's only been available for a few weeks now i think

DreDaze wrote in post #16021041
those are the same lenses...the older non OS version

the newest one is the OS Sport version, and it's only been available for a few weeks now i think

Cheers guys.

So the oldest one is one to avoid and only the latest one that's been around a few weeks has OS?

It sounds like I'm looking for the middle one then, considering second market will be nonexistent!

SMP_Homer wrote in post #16020982
3 versions.... old one, newer one, and then newest with OS part of the new Sport series...

Four sort of.

The Original one, (2006?) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX HSM
The DG one, (2007ish?) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG HSM
The first OS version, (2011) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS HSM
now the latest Sport Version: (2013) 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S

We understand, as DreDaze alludes to, that the "DG" was simply stamped on newer version of many SIGMA lenses when they changed the optical coatings optimized for use with digital sensors vs. the older Film recipe. So the first two are truly identical in all other aspects. This is true of the entire line of SIGMA lenses at that time, they simply felt the need to put more letters on their lenses as marketing hype and a form of self congratulations after finally coming to realize that they needed to update their lens coatings.

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16021067
Cheers guys.

So the oldest one is one to avoid and only the latest one that's been around a few weeks has OS?

It sounds like I'm looking for the middle one then, considering second market will be nonexistent!

There are two OS version, the one that's just been replaced was around for a two years or so,.

If you want the new one it costs a lot.
I don;t think you need to avoid the older version, they were all pretty good, but the OS versions obviously have there advantages.

I am being told the 1st OS version and the current one are also identical with exception to the physical look of the lens,. but I don't know this to be the case other than what I have read here on the forum. It's not like the "DG" thing where it was blatantly obvious, (or SIGMA managed to replace an entire line of lenses in one year.. which would be pretty much impossible for anyone to pull off)

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16021071
Four sort of.

The Original one, (2006?) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX HSM
The DG one, (2007ish?) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG HSM
The first OS version, (2011) Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 AF APO EX DG OS HSM
now the latest Sport Version: (2013) 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S

That sounds right to me. I have had the second and third version (not tried the most recent one) and would say that the OS version is well worth the extra cost. On the copies I have owned/tested the OS lenses have been significantly sharper wid open than h earlier models.

Why is the oldest one 'one to avoid'...

Bruce_Bird wrote in post #16520268
Why is the oldest one 'one to avoid'...

That is a tad harsh. The old one is OK as a 120-300 (or 280ish) but does not take TCs well at all. The newer OS models do, at least 1.4 TC and the last OS version takes the docking station for further "improvability"

Surprised to see this revived, but I wound up finding a Sigma 300/2.8 prime in the end. great bit of kit and nice to work with but a pain to find somewhere to MFA it!