OMG Sigma 120-300 2.8

Travis F wrote in post #2014828
Yeah, don't be scared off by the recent threads. I have one and I am one having issues right now too. But when this lens is on, it is definitely on.

I am chalking alot of my problems up to user error. I think that I just need to relearn how to use AI servo because I have about an even percentage of IF and OOF shots when shooting sports.

I would imagine a lot of the reported problems with this lens are user error. From what I've read on FM, there's a "learning curve" with this particular lens, but once you get used to it, the images are spectacular. I'm planning on adding one to my kit eventually.

mine was *supposed* to be here today. '...be at the shop tomorrow at 2pm' nooooooo!!!!! i didn't sleep last night as it was. oh, wait. that's because i was processing 874 images of the under-12 team to print 80 today for 'appreciation day' on the weekend. the wait is still killing me....

in any event, i'll have either my copy, or use the loaner again for this weekend's games.

I like mine. It's fast ( f2.8 ), quick focusing, and got great bokeh. I've gotten may
great shots with it. It also does very well with a 2x TC, and will still autofocus on
my 20D or XT.

I've had the DG version now for some 4 months. I mated it to the 30D w/- battery grip and a DG 1.4x converter.

This was my first step-up from using slide film in a Pentax SF7 of all things

Anyways - I shoot mostly surfing a have done some hockey and more recently car racing. My keeper rate when shooting surfing has gone from roughly 50% to maybe 90% - it was all due to knowing the camera and more importantly the lens. The more surfing shoots I do the better the results each time.

Then went out and shot some car racing. First attempt I got some very impressive results, but the second and third attempts I got better and better results. Fiddled around with centre focusing and then used all 9-point focussing - centre focussing works best in most sport applications IMO. My technique improved - especially when panning fast moving objects. Car racing helps with improving your DOF (getting the entire car focussed instead of just the front for instance). I now get a very high keeper rate from my car racing shoots and the photos just blow me away with the amount of sharpness and "pop" I get from the lens.

I did a shoot at a hockey game - I have no interest in hockey but wanted to see how I could cope with super fast movement. It was very hard - I came away with some poor results mainly due to not being able to keep up with the pace of the game. I found the lens would focus on a fence in the background instead of the subject I intended it too - I put this down to inexperience with using this lens/camera combo in such a fast moving environment. I will do another hockey shoot shortly and expect that with extra practice my keeper rate will sky-rocket.

My surfing shots to start with were quite hit and miss. However, once again my keeper rate has grown immensely with every shoot. Pin sharp results with so much colour saturation.

All my shots have been done using the DG 1.4x TC. Actually I haven't taken it off the lens - it's a gem!!!

To tell you the truth I was umming and arring over the Sigma prime 300 f/2.8 but went for the 120-300mm because its a prime zoom lens so to speak. There has been numerous times when I thought i'd never get "that" shot if I had a fixed 300mm lens. The versatility of this lens is unbelievable...

I'm not getting rid of my copy in a hurry.... very happy indeed.

Let's see some images to judge the quality... You know, a picture paints a thousand words and all that...

Kennymc wrote in post #2016117
Let's see some images to judge the quality... You know, a picture paints a thousand words and all that...

Here, here...photographic threads are worthless w/o pictures.

Would love to upgrade the 100-300 f4 to this (and add the 2.8 70-200 along the way) then my outfit would be pretty much complete!

Yea...That lens was awsome. It was the Non DG version but not like that makes any difference for just the short time I was playing with it. They wanted $2239 for it. Guess I will have to order that one online as well. Since the DG version is only $2080 at sigma4less.
I have this stupid truck i bought 2years ago and well I dont drive it like ever..maybe take it out once a week. I am really thinking about selling it and free up that $500 month so i can get the gear I want. Figure that would be much more useful to me then a truck I dont drive that just sits in the garage collecting dust.

I just cant get over that lens.....OHHHH they had a 1DsMKII there as well. I coulda put the lens on that but then that would be unrealistic since I will never own that camera and I dont want that one anyway. I told him to put it on the 20D...Guess that upgrade to the 30D is going to wait till after I get this. This lens is my top priority now.

SimonG wrote in post #2015284
Better hope you never have a problem with a Canon product with that attitude. If you do, you might have no chance but to shoot Nikon.

Yep, you're right. But that's the great thing about it. I don't have problems with canon products. I don't have problems with tamron products either, although I must admit I only own two tamron lenses - the 90 macro and the 17-50 f2.8. I've only had problems with sigma and the dealer told me unoficially to stay away from the brand because they have known, chronic quality control problems.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, it's not an "attitude" problem. I would never discount any product line because of a single bad experience. The reason I initially said I will no longer purchase sigma products is because of the above advice received from a professional who works in a store that is considered the "place where professionals go." He sees the lenses every day, the returns, the failures and successes. It was based upon his years of experience and advice that I made the evaluation.

your dealer must have just been a canon L boy...cause I personally would take them over the canon's lately as getting most bang for my buck

05Xrunner wrote in post #2016884
as getting most bang for my buck

don't you mean your *truck*
man... 14 more hours to wait. too much work to do so i can't go to sleep.

blackviolet wrote in post #2016904
don't you mean your *truck*
man... 14 more hours to wait. too much work to do so i can't go to sleep.

?..what do you mean

[QUOTE=05Xrunner;20165​56]
I have this stupid truck i bought 2years ago and well I dont drive it like ever..maybe take it out once a week. I am really thinking about selling it and free up that $500 month so i can get the gear I want. Figure that would be much more useful to me then a truck I dont drive that just sits in the garage collecting dust.
[QUOTE]

05Xrunner wrote in post #2016907
?..what do you mean

I think that is what he is talking about .

Travis

i thought he ment like adding stuff to my truck

sorry, yeah more bang for your (potentially sold) truck...

and now 13 hours or so until my lens is here.