Sigma 300/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Queries from new user

Hi there - just picked up a very reasonably priced Siggy 300/2.8 prime I've been eyeing up for a few months now. Handling the lens now, I've realised a couple of things that were previously unknown-unknowns. Hopefully some owners or previous owners may be able to help.

1) 46mm CPL; Is it a bog standard 46mm CPL? Does the bezel thickness play a part in compatibility? The Hoya 46mm CPL would be my first choice having used them before, but currently it seems that the seller fitted a UV filter instead. Maybe that's just a placeholder - I know the new item ships with a CPL, does it also ship with a UV? Should it ever be used empty? Also, it was my understanding that CPLs required light at 90deg to the plane of filter to perform most effectively - without light making direct contact at the front element, is this type of rear-installed filter less effective than in other applications?

2) TC recommendation; I've seen great examples with the 1.4x and 2x, and it seems that Sigma DG TCs are the way to go for this lens - however, I wanted to ask directly - has anyone ever stacked 1.4s instead? In the lens gallery for this optic there's a guy using it at '840mm' which is 300 x 2.8. Still only 2 stops aperture loss? Are Canon's latest v3 TCs better than Sigma's (with this lens)?

3) Front lens cap; As a new owner of big glass, I'm content with the supplied hood and fabric 'helmet' for the front element, but I don't know whether there's a traditional plastic pinch lens cap missing or not - anyone know? A recommendation on a carry case would also be useful as mine came in bubble wrap.

4) Monopod recommendation, quick release shoe design recommendation; I bought this lens with the intention of getting into more wildlife and nature photography - having handled it yesterday evening, round the neck support is a non-starter, nor is carrying in arms long term if I want the strength to hold it steady. I don't want to have to carry a tripod everywhere, so a monopod is the only sensible option - there are tens of the things - would anyone mind making a recommendation for holding up the Siggy with a 2xTC and 5Dc? I've also seen this 'bean bag' mentioned as a support method - is it only when resting on the ground? or simply to find a hard spot on location and perch the camera on it? I also just changed by landscape setup from Manfrotto's RC2 to the larger RC4 when I changed head and I notice it's far more robust and stiffer. I've never owned a lens with a tripod mount on it, so I'd find it useful to know I was buying a solid shoe/head for the pod.

Much to read, much to answer, hopefully there are some keen gearheads who've got the answers! Thanks in advance!

As for the TC question, I own a Sigma 120-300 2.8 OS, and after experimenting with various TCs, I settled with Sigma TCs. My Sigma 1.4x APO EX DG clearly beats the Kenko 300 Pro DG I had before.

As for the 2x TCs, I tried/owned 5 of them; 2 Kenkos, 2 Canon 2x III extenders and the current Sigma 2x APO EX DG. My Sigma beat all of them in center sharpness, matched the Canons in edge/corner sharpness. The Canons handled CA better though, but that is relatively easy to take care of.

So I think I can confidently say that my 120-300 2.8 OS works best with Sigma teleconverters. I would think that's probably true to your 300 prime too.

Thanks Gabe - how do you find the weight of your 120-300 - I understand it's a pretty big beast aswell.

What are your habits for supporting during use and for storage/transport?

Weight is an issue. I use this lens probably 60% on a monopod, 35% on a tripod and 5% handheld (for quick shots).

It can be handheld, but that depends on the photographer and the shooting "session". Last year I took it to the Dayton, OH airshow and managed all day without a tripod or monopod. Obviously, the lens had to be swung around all the time to follow and shoot airplanes in the air, so a support system was not practical for me (I don't have a super good tripod).

Most of my shooting is wildlife, birds mostly. I often sit down at a certain spot and sit sometimes for hours, so that's why I use a tripod of monopod instead of handholding it.

I can't comment about CPL use, but with my 120-300mm EX DG HSM lens, I had the best image quality/AF performance with the Sigma TCs. The 1.4x and lens combo was particularly good.

I have the Canon 300mm EF 2.8L IS and 1.4x /2x MKII converters, I also have the Sigma 1.4x /2x and Kenko 3000 1.4x DG Pro converters.

Of the 3 makes I found the Canon converters the best for the 300mm lens with the Sigmas second and the Kenko third BUT I also have a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 OS and the Sigma converters are the best on that lens.

It makes sense to me that the manufacturers own converters would work best with their lenses.

gabebalazs wrote in post #16087219
Weight is an issue. I use this lens probably 60% on a monopod, 35% on a tripod and 5% handheld (for quick shots).

It can be handheld, but that depends on the photographer and the shooting "session". Last year I took it to the Dayton, OH airshow and managed all day without a tripod or monopod. Obviously, the lens had to be swung around all the time to follow and shoot airplanes in the air, so a support system was not practical for me (I don't have a super good tripod).

Most of my shooting is wildlife, birds mostly. I often sit down at a certain spot and sit sometimes for hours, so that's why I use a tripod of monopod instead of handholding it.

I've fancied going to airshows as well actually - when you're using it handheld, do you keep it on a strap of any kind? I look at the weight of the lens and the strength of the camera body mount and wonder whether I'm asking for trouble if I let the lens swing freely.

adamo99 wrote in post #16087342
I can't comment about CPL use, but with my 120-300mm EX DG HSM lens, I had the best image quality/AF performance with the Sigma TCs. The 1.4x and lens combo was particularly good.

does the 120-300 have a 46mm CPL slot in the back? I do see that the 1.4s are generally fine, but I can' wait to give it a stab with a 2x! How do you hold onto it moving around adamo?

I'm not sure about the Sigma's drop in filters but I'm sure it would similar to Canon's. Canon has basically 3 different types of drop filter holders, one that uses gel filters, another that takes screw in filters, and the last has a CPL built into it with a little dial on the outside so you can rotate the CPL.

Now I'm not sure if Sigma offers a CPL like Canon, your screw in holder could hold a CPL but it would be hard to adjust it and it's meant to hold ND/IR/etc. filters not CPL.

IIRC the 120-300 takes a 105mm screw in CPL on the front of the lens.

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16087475
I've fancied going to airshows as well actually - when you're using it handheld, do you keep it on a strap of any kind? I look at the weight of the lens and the strength of the camera body mount and wonder whether I'm asking for trouble if I let the lens swing freely.

No, I never let that lens swing freely on a strap, unless the strap is attached to the tripod mount of the lens.

No, at that airshow, I just put the lens down on a towel, or behind me onto my lawn chair when not used.. So basically it was in my hands for 20 seconds, then I put it down, then another 30 seconds, then I put it down, depending on what was going on at the moment.

gabebalazs wrote in post #16087646
No, I never let that lens swing freely on a strap, unless the strap is attached to the tripod mount of the lens.

No, at that airshow, I just put the lens down on a towel, or behind me onto my lawn chair when not used.. So basically it was in my hands for 20 seconds, then I put it down, then another 30 seconds, then I put it down, depending on what was going on at the moment.

I always carry my 100-300/2.8OS attached from the R7 strat at the foot and held by my hand (carrying all the weight), the strap is in case my fingers get tired (which happen frequently). It is a heavy puppy. Most of my use is with a monopod (for birds, about 70%). For scenes and others, it goes on tripod (10%). About 20% is handheld behind the bushes waiting for birds too or wildlife.

Well you got me curious about how the Sigma's drop in filter set up works so I did some research. I looks like you'd just use a 46mm screw in CPL and the drop in filter holder can be rotated in the lens barrel. Sounds like you can buy any 46MM CPL for the Sigma and easily rotate it.

lovemyram4x4 wrote in post #16088388
Well you got me curious about how the Sigma's drop in filter set up works so I did some research. I looks like you'd just use a 46mm screw in CPL and the drop in filter holder can be rotated in the lens barrel. Sounds like you can buy any 46MM CPL for the Sigma and easily rotate it.

Hi - that's great - could you tell me where you found that out? I'm leaning to the Hoya CPL side - did you notice anything about the filter only having light hit it at 0deg?

Which monopods and heads are you all using?

Well first I took a look at the Sigma site under accessories and saw a standard Sigma 46mm screw on CPL. I then did a search fro the Sigma 300 f2.8 and CPL, the B & H lens description is one of the places that actually mentioned the filter holder could rotate inside the barrel.

I like how my Canon 300 f2.8 CPL is but also like that the Sigma seems like it can use any 46mm CPL. You might want to check exactly how things work on the Sigma to ensure that you can use another brand CPL, if the whole drop in holder rotates I'm sure anything that will fit will work.

I've only used my Canon CPL to cut reflections on water so far and it work quite well, I just turned the little dial until I it how I wanted, the same result should be had from however the Sigma actually turns the CPL. It should also work well for motorsports to cut reflections bodies and windscreens. Weather has been too nice since I got my drop in CPL so I haven't had a chance to see how well it cuts through atmosphere.

I use a Gitzo GM3860C monopod and Sirui L-10 tilt head. For usage I prefer the 4 section monopods but I like how compact my 6 section one is, it's only about 5" longer than my 300 with hood while collapsed and mounted to tripod collar tilted forward so it's not too awkward leave it mounted.