Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM - PhotoCamel

Kevin Barrett · 11-22-2005

Anybody here have experience with the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM (or non DG version)?

This lens was recently "highly" recommended to me by a bird enthusiast after I inquired about his
Canon 400 f/5.6L. His thoughts were that the Sigma was a better "intro" to birding lens especially when coupled with a
1.4 or even 2.0 TC. This same photographer also has the Canon 500 f/4 IS and 600 f/4 IS.

I was a little taken back by this recommendation, thinking that 300 is way short. However, he contends that this
lens is very good with teleconverters.

I was taught that a longer "slower" lens will yield better results than a faster shorter lens with converters.
Maybe this particular Sigma is an exception? Reviews seem to indicate that it's a solid choice for sports but I haven't
seen much dialogue on birding applications. Thoughts?

badpickev · 11-23-2005

well kevin all i can say is take a look. the cricket shots are mostly from the 120-300.

http://dksphotography.smugmug.com/Cricket,%202004-2005

Striderxl · 04-22-2006

I hear great things about this lens and would buy it myself if it was cheaper.I am going to be buying the 100-300 f4 sigma lens instead.

Charlie

Slea_ · 04-22-2006

Hi kevin, I have this lens and bought it with the intention of also putting a x2 teleconvertor on to it to make a 600 f5.6. The lens on its own is very heavy, although I do hand hold it I think using it with a tripod is much better, but the results at 120-300 without a telecon are very good. However I do not find that it produces very acceptable results with a 2x telecon attached (I havnt tried a x1.4 as I also have the 100-400 IS L), I do not use anything else with a telecon to judge its performance against and it may be that I am harder on its performance than the other person you mention, I hardly ever use it nowadays (with or without a telecon).

Slea

badpickev · 04-22-2006

slea, i have the sigma 1.4 for my bigma. i see no noticeable image loss with it on my fuji's

Slea_ · 04-22-2006

Hi bpk, thats interesting to know, I havnt tried a x1.4 with the 120-300 because that just gives me a 168-420 f4 whereas I already have a 100-400 with Image Stabilization although that is a stop slower at 400 being f5.6

Slea

badpickev · 04-22-2006

bigma at 500

bigma at 500 with 1.4

11-22-2005	#1 (permalink)
Kevin Barrett Bactrian Location: Lowell, Michigan Posts: 2,299 CamelKarma: 102 Gallery \| Blog	Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM Anybody here have experience with the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM (or non DG version)? This lens was recently "highly" recommended to me by a bird enthusiast after I inquired about his Canon 400 f/5.6L. His thoughts were that the Sigma was a better "intro" to birding lens especially when coupled with a 1.4 or even 2.0 TC. This same photographer also has the Canon 500 f/4 IS and 600 f/4 IS. I was a little taken back by this recommendation, thinking that 300 is way short. However, he contends that this lens is very good with teleconverters. I was taught that a longer "slower" lens will yield better results than a faster shorter lens with converters. Maybe this particular Sigma is an exception? Reviews seem to indicate that it's a solid choice for sports but I haven't seen much dialogue on birding applications. Thoughts? __________________ __________________ Members don't see this ad. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Community, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
	__________________ KB The influence of a well-balanced, well-ordered life is of inestimable value. . . . E.G. White

11-23-2005	#2 (permalink)
badpickev F1 Camel Location: Jax FL Posts: 2,848 CamelKarma: 442 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM well kevin all i can say is take a look. the cricket shots are mostly from the 120-300. http://dksphotography.smugmug.com/Cricket,%202004-2005
	__________________ Fuji S2/S3/S5 Pro Kenko MC7 2X, Pro 300 Nkkor 50 1.8 70-300VR Phoenix 100, 650-1300& Sima 100mm F2 SF Sigma 12-24, 18-50 HSM, 18-125, 50-500, 70-300, 120-300, 1.4X 2x Tamron 28-75

04-22-2006	#3 (permalink)
Striderxl Vicuna Posts: 59 CamelKarma: 11 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM I hear great things about this lens and would buy it myself if it was cheaper.I am going to be buying the 100-300 f4 sigma lens instead. Charlie
	__________________ Charlie Canon 20D 100-300mm F4 Sigma EX,24-70mm F2.8 Sigma EX Macro 50mm F2.8 Sigma EX Macro,1.4 Sigma EX Teleconverter 70-300mm Sigma APO Macro Super II,17-55mm Canon Kit Lens

04-22-2006	#4 (permalink)
Slea_ Vicuna Posts: 51 CamelKarma: 15 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM Hi kevin, I have this lens and bought it with the intention of also putting a x2 teleconvertor on to it to make a 600 f5.6. The lens on its own is very heavy, although I do hand hold it I think using it with a tripod is much better, but the results at 120-300 without a telecon are very good. However I do not find that it produces very acceptable results with a 2x telecon attached (I havnt tried a x1.4 as I also have the 100-400 IS L), I do not use anything else with a telecon to judge its performance against and it may be that I am harder on its performance than the other person you mention, I hardly ever use it nowadays (with or without a telecon). Slea
Slea_ Vicuna Posts: 51 CamelKarma: 15 Gallery \| Blog

04-22-2006	#5 (permalink)
badpickev F1 Camel Location: Jax FL Posts: 2,848 CamelKarma: 442 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM slea, i have the sigma 1.4 for my bigma. i see no noticeable image loss with it on my fuji's
	__________________ Fuji S2/S3/S5 Pro Kenko MC7 2X, Pro 300 Nkkor 50 1.8 70-300VR Phoenix 100, 650-1300& Sima 100mm F2 SF Sigma 12-24, 18-50 HSM, 18-125, 50-500, 70-300, 120-300, 1.4X 2x Tamron 28-75

04-22-2006	#6 (permalink)
Slea_ Vicuna Posts: 51 CamelKarma: 15 Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM Hi bpk, thats interesting to know, I havnt tried a x1.4 with the 120-300 because that just gives me a 168-420 f4 whereas I already have a 100-400 with Image Stabilization although that is a stop slower at 400 being f5.6 Slea
Slea_ Vicuna Posts: 51 CamelKarma: 15 Gallery \| Blog

04-22-2006	#7 (permalink)
badpickev F1 Camel Location: Jax FL Posts: 2,848 CamelKarma: 442 Editing OK?: Yes Gallery \| Blog	Re: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM bigma at 500 bigma at 500 with 1.4 __________________ __________________ Members don't see this ad. Register your free account today and become a member on PhotoCamel - Your Friendly Photo Community, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more.
	__________________ Fuji S2/S3/S5 Pro Kenko MC7 2X, Pro 300 Nkkor 50 1.8 70-300VR Phoenix 100, 650-1300& Sima 100mm F2 SF Sigma 12-24, 18-50 HSM, 18-125, 50-500, 70-300, 120-300, 1.4X 2x Tamron 28-75

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