Sigma 120-300mmf2.8

[mitedo]

Anybody have or use this lens from all the reviews i read it sounds good

Thanks
Kev

[Onyx]

I believe our token Canon guy Petal666 has one he uses for bike racing shoots. I've also held one a few months back - it's bloody big and the focus is audible (not like AF-S type lenses). Can't comment on picture quality tho.

[yeocsa]

That's my dream lens.

regards,

Arthur

[sirhc55]

Kev - go to:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/120-300_28_ex_if_hsm_apo

[BBJ]

Poon has these from HKSuplies i think around $2,500 there abouts as i am thinking of getting 1 of these if i dont get the Nikon 300mm from a friend in adelaide, and fellow friend Dave from dpreview swears by his.

[birddog114]

Poon has these from HKSuplies i think around $2,500 there abouts as i am thinking of getting 1 of these if i dont get the Nikon 300mm from a friend in adelaide, and fellow friend Dave from dpreview swears by his.

It should be around or over AU$3K including shipping + Customs Fees and GST, cos it's a huge lens and the Boys in Blue will " chimp" in anyway.

I have seen and tried it at one time from other user, it's bigger and heavy than my 200-400VR, focus is not smooth and fast as the AF-S range and it's a Sigma.

Required very sturdy tripod or good monopod technique, forget about handholding.

[petal666]

These aren't my photos but they were taken with my 120-300f2.8 and 1.4x tele with a 20D, resized and unsharpened. It's a big and reasonably heavy lens, but then it is 300mmf2.8 so what do you expect. Focus is fast enough on the 20D to capture these.

[robboh]

Ive heard some pretty good things about both this lens and the 100-300 f/4 as well. Supposed to work very nicely with the Sigma TC's as well.

[BBJ]

For what i have heard it is a great lens and as birdy says closer to 3K or so but is still cheaper than our beloved Nikon and depends on what version you get it doesn't have VR or the $8,125 price tag from Maxwells.
Since i have had my sigma 70-200 which i love it fits nice in my hands and i find it great to use. I would think it it would be the D70 is slow at focussing more so than the lens. Anyhow this is 1 i am seriously considering if i dont get the Nikon, my next option.

[robboh]

For what i have heard it is a great lens and as birdy says closer to 3K or so but is still cheaper than our beloved Nikon and depends on what version you get it doesn't have VR or the $8,125 price tag from Maxwells.

Other option is a 2ndhand AFS. No VR of course, but a similar price to a new 120-300. Other nice thing about the Sigma is that its a zoom, which can be handy at times.
Some fairly glowing write-ups on it on the FredMiranda site.

[BBJ]

Yes robboh good to have that 120-300 FL instead of being stuck at 300 so yeh it's looking pretty good and even better is Poon has them.

[birddog114]

If you already have few zoom lenses in this range as 70-200/ 80-400/ + TC and TC, why should you bother to get another zoom in that range? I don't quite understand what are you going to do with all of them, unless you have heap of disposable income then it's out of my curiosity.
If you prefer a fast long reach lens then a AF-S 300/2.8 either new or used.

[petal666]

If you already have few zoom lenses in this range as 70-200/ 80-400/ + TC and TC, why should you bother to get another zoom in that range?

Because if you are taking sports photos, you don't always want to be at 300mm but 5 seconds later you do. Try changing from your 100mm prime to your 300 prime in that kind of time.

[birddog114]

If you already have few zoom lenses in this range as 70-200/ 80-400/ + TC and TC, why should you bother to get another zoom in that range?

Because if you are taking sports photos, you don't always want to be at 300mm but 5 seconds later you do. Try changing from your 100mm prime to your 300 prime in that kind of time.

That why you need a backup or second body, especially you're making your money on this hobby, and a backup body for BBJ is a must

[BBJ]

Yes Birdy i know, and working on it, put it this way if i sell 1 of my motorbikes, that i really havent tried to sell yet i would be ordering the D2x well close to it mate but yeh i will make do for now and see how it all pans out but yeh the "BOSS" would kill me and these things are a bit hard when you got a family to nag you. It is on my list, Take Visa card!! LOL well i try and like to pay cash so i have to save what i can but get a few goodies along the way. Was offered a 300mmf2.8 Nikkor as friend shoots with Canon now and will try it out when he comes down here next month, if i get it at a good price means i can keep saving for the D2x or maybe D200 who knows but will bide my time. Just have to keep putting my photo sales away.

Good things comes to those who wait. Well i hope LOL

[birddog114]

Once you shoot with the D2x then you don't want to touch the D70 anymore as I did with my D100. thereore I had to keep the D2h while I'm having the D2x.
It's a tough call!!!!!

[BBJ]

Birdy all i can say is that in a way i am glad i live down here, because i have not seen 1 of these as yet so i havent bitten the bug yet. But the thought is always in my mind.LOL

[kipper]

I dunno, but if I was shooting motor sports I'd probably go a D2X and a D2H or just two D2Hs. Most of the time you can get fairly close to the subject so little cropping is required and a 4MP should be enough for printing. All the pros at the F1GP had two bodies one telephoto and one fairly short lens probably around the 100MM range.

[BBJ]

Darryl, yes i have thought of this as well but trying to find 1 is another story, i spoke to a pro fellow awhile back he had some concerns with colour and couple of other things with the D2H, hell i even looked at Fuji S2pro, as we all know when some new comes out they want the earth then they bring a new 1 out and yeh never ending story. I know the D2x would be great i also looked at getting a 20D just for fun and see which is better. Ok it's a canon but i dont care it's like buying a holden or a ford good and bad in all.

[birddog114]

All the pros at the F1GP had two bodies one telephoto and one fairly short lens probably around the 100MM range.

That's the way how they are in business, 2 bodies with two difference focal lenght of lenses.
Next time, pls. stay close to them to check if they all use "P" mode

[robboh]

he had some concerns with colour and couple of other things with the D2H

This seemed to be a fairly common complaint regards the D2H and supposedly markedly improved in the D2Hs

[birddog114]

I don't have problems with my D2H and perhaps, it was too much to ask and sometimes it's nonsense. The D2Hs is just another improvement of some lacking from the D2h but 90% are the same and it's a marketiing hype to make it as a bridge in between the D100 and the D2x
You never make people happy with, people still ask more to come with the D2x, where's the stopping point?

[BBJ]

True Birdy, the photogs that was at the same rally had 2 of them 1 with a 300mm f2.8 and i think other with 70-200, so i gather i other than that was maybe mp is only worry but i guess that depends on what you want for the images. The Fuji S2Pro seems ok but it only has 2fps which is poor but could be good for portrait work, they all have there uses.

I am planning on a D2X at some stage, when i am not sure of but unless something good comes out replacing D100 who knows, but never ending lust.

[kipper]

BBJ, I too plan on the D2X but it probably won't be until about October.

Out of interest, what is the general timeframe from order to delivery. Should I allow myself quite a few weeks if I want it by a certain date?

[mitedo]

Kipper, BBJ , i to plan on getting a D2x soon maybe if we all get together we might get some sort of a good deal from Birddog

Also thanks very much to everyone for the feed back on the Sigma 120-300mm 2.8 i think this lens will be in my bag soon

Kevin

[BBJ]

Not sure Darryl, Birdy might help out here, i gather they are Maxwell stock,not sure but i will wait longer as i am hoping to sell a motorbike that i should put in the trading post as if i sold that well then might be a different story as i have the money but boss would kill me.LOL But if bike sold yeh well look out D2x.LOL