Sigma 120-300 f2.8 - changing my recommendation

So I shot the first baseball game of the year (actually the first one for this school in 32 years) today with both a 20D and a 1D. I had a 16-35,70-200 and the 120-300 with 1.4 sigma tc attached. When the 120-300 + TC was attached to the 1D, it focused beautifully, never hunted, it just was a happy lens. There was no impact from the TC to it's focus reliability. But mid way through the game I wanted to us the wide on the 1D to get wider shots and moved the big Sigma zoom to the 20D. My keeper rate went from 95% plus on the 1D to 40-50% with the 20D, if that much. Now my 20D is well used, and it is probably ready for it's semi annual visit to mother ship for a tune up... but still. My 1d cameras are hardly gently used either. The difference is just huge. It is safe to say that the big Sigma plus TC combo will not be done again with the 20D.

So 2 years down the road with this lens, my recommendation is that if you are planning on buying this lens to use with the TC on a 20D, don't. With 1d class body, the big Sigma hangs in there with the best of them when used with the TC. But in my opinion, the 20D just can't see well enough with at f4 with this long lens to be reliable. I can't imaging the 30D, xti, or xt would fare any better. The Sigma has what it takes to perform with the L class lenses... it just seems to need a smarter camera body.

i've heard that the 1D's AF system is worlds apart from the xxD series. How does the Sigma do on the 20D without the TC?

Its the body for sure!

If you have seen DavidEB's post about the focusing issues on the 20D, he and I both have pulled plenty of hair out dealing with that.

I have consistantly had issues with the 20D's body and getting clear crisp photo's of...the back boards when shooting hockey. Most of my shots are using the 70-200 2.8 IS also.

Ross

angryhampster wrote in post #2672665
i've heard that the 1D's AF system is worlds apart from the xxD series. How does the Sigma do on the 20D without the TC?

Acceptable. You still get more missed shots, but the fall off is not nearly as noticable. The tele-converter seems to be the deal braker. That wouldn't surprise me if it were not for the fact that the tc+lens on a 1d is a non-issue.

The 20D does need longer to get a good lock before pressing the shutter button all the way, I found that shooting a trackday last year with the 120-300 and 1.4 tc combo, a second or two tracking the car before taking the shot increased the keeper rate no end.

I see what you're saying. I'm not sure that makes it a lens issue though, the 1 series AF is light years ahead of the 20/30D/rebels. Everything focuses better on a 1 series body.
Eh - I was this close >< to clicking the button on this lens last night.

PaulEY wrote in post #2673998
The 20D does need longer to get a good lock before pressing the shutter button all the way, I found that shooting a trackday last year with the 120-300 and 1.4 tc combo, a second or two tracking the car before taking the shot increased the keeper rate no end.

Surely that's just old-fashioned good technique? I've shot that way since i had a EOS 1000 35mm and super-cheapo lenses. I still shoot like that today and get decent shots even for a muppet like me

Expecting a 20D to perform in any way close to a 1D is pie in the sky.

Good lord I want that lens! But I'm sooooo hesitant. I wish someone would trade for my 100-400 hint hin

Yeah this thread seems like it should be titled "20D - I changed my recommendation."

It's a no-brainer that a 1 series will do better than a 20D, regardless of the lens attached, TC or none.

CDI... yeah.... probably a true statement there. If I had to give up one, the 20D would bit the dust. I feel bad about saying that because I have had some wonderful shots come from that camera. But the viewfinder is just so limiting, it has some real focus issues if your shooting anything moving, and it is just plagued by tons of small issues. I wish I knew what if anything Canon was going to announce in March. I would really like to dump the 20d and replace it with a 5d or what ever replaces it.

But to be clear what I would rate the combination as follows.

20D + 120-300 Sigma = 3.5 out of a possible 5 - 5 being best solution
20D + 120-300 Sigma + TC = 2 out of a possible 5
1D to any combination above = 4.5 out of possible 5

Yeah I agree with that. My 30D + 70-200 combo is good. But I still miss stuff that any 1D woulda nailed and I grumble with a few choice words every time.

Croasdail,
Were you tracking runners with servo or trying to lock on stationary players?

I'm wondering this combo would work better in situations where the subjects were more stationary, like birds in trees, etc.

No, these were just dang baseball pitchers and boring shots of defensemen playing their positions (mostly standing around). Ai Servo - multi frame mode shot mostly as singles. For birding, it might work if the bird cooperates, but I would hate to try to track one with this combo. It bums me out to say this, because I am a big fan of this lens.

Croasdail wrote in post #2675236
No, these were just dang baseball pitchers and boring shots of defensemen playing their positions (mostly standing around). Ai Servo - multi frame mode shot mostly as singles. For birding, it might work if the bird cooperates, but I would hate to try to track one with this combo. It bums me out to say this, because I am a big fan of this lens.

so what you are saying is you think the sigma performs worse than say a comparable canon lens under the same conditions?

as much as i liked my 20d i knew it was a goner once i looked through the viewfinder of the 5d. between the small dim viewfinder and the small LCD i really was shooting in the blind .

ed rader

I wish Canon had a comperable lens but alas, they don't. It would be interesting to see what the difference in keeper rate was when people moved from a 20/30D with the 100-400 L to say a 1d or a 5d. Or the same scenerio with a 70-200 f2.8 + TC between the same bodies. I would really like to know if the 5D does not have the same issue as I would love to pick one up.