Looking for someone who is actually using this lens, hopefully with a Canon digital. The reviews are all over the place -an I havent really bought anything but Canon. Tried this out, and is appears to be a real sleeper. Input, plese.
I haven't used this lens, but have used several other Sigma zooms. The concencus on this one seems to be it is a very sharp lens with good build quality. The only down side is future compatability issues-Sigma is known for this. And the weight-it is heavy.
I would say if you need the speed and the zooming ability it would be a great lens. Otherwise, the Canon 300 f4 IS would be the way to go.
I had this lens for a while. It's supper sharp, AF is fast, though I'm not convinced it's perfectly accurate. The lens is definitely shy of being a 300mm though .. at the MFD it's probably closer to 200mm, though maybe at infinity it is around 270mm or so. For my uses, a 70-200mm is a better lens - the 120-300 isn't enough bonus focal length to make it worth the weight and size.
I haven't tried the lens on Canon gear.
Cheers
Carl
Posted by David Trow on September 7, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Tom,
I have one I use with a D2x..and it works well ..tack sharp, and really fast, haven't had any issues with TC's and has held it value, I have an 80 to 400 vr too not the same lens bu compariasion, but the 120 to300 is big heavy glass
Dave
Tom,
I would concur with David Trow -- I have also used one on my D2h, now on my D2x and D200. On all cameras the focus has been fast, quiet and accurate, even when paired with the Sigma 2x TC. But, as stated, it is a big, HEAVY lens that requires the use of a monopod or tripod to achieve maximum results. I have used it handheld, but only when light allowed an adequate shutter speed and then only for short times. You don't want to try and trek around with this thing hanging around your neck all day!
I'm not sure what Carl means when he thinks it's short of its MFD of 300mm. He may have had a problem with his specific lens, but mine seems to be at least, and perhaps a little better, than 300mm.
All in all, for the price and feature set I think it's one of the most underrated lenses available today, probably simply because it carries the Sigma name and most people carry a bit of a predetermined bias against Sigma lenses.
I've never used this lens on a Canon, but I did have a 20D with Canon's 100-400 IS and I prefer this lens because of the ability to add the 2x converter and still maintain autofocus. I don't think you can go wrong with it.
Discussion
4 repliesI would say if you need the speed and the zooming ability it would be a great lens. Otherwise, the Canon 300 f4 IS would be the way to go.
Good luck
I had this lens for a while. It's supper sharp, AF is fast, though I'm not convinced it's perfectly accurate. The lens is definitely shy of being a 300mm though .. at the MFD it's probably closer to 200mm, though maybe at infinity it is around 270mm or so. For my uses, a 70-200mm is a better lens - the 120-300 isn't enough bonus focal length to make it worth the weight and size.
I haven't tried the lens on Canon gear.
Cheers
Carl
I have one I use with a D2x..and it works well ..tack sharp, and really fast, haven't had any issues with TC's and has held it value, I have an 80 to 400 vr too not the same lens bu compariasion, but the 120 to300 is big heavy glass
Dave
I would concur with David Trow -- I have also used one on my D2h, now on my D2x and D200. On all cameras the focus has been fast, quiet and accurate, even when paired with the Sigma 2x TC. But, as stated, it is a big, HEAVY lens that requires the use of a monopod or tripod to achieve maximum results. I have used it handheld, but only when light allowed an adequate shutter speed and then only for short times. You don't want to try and trek around with this thing hanging around your neck all day!
I'm not sure what Carl means when he thinks it's short of its MFD of 300mm. He may have had a problem with his specific lens, but mine seems to be at least, and perhaps a little better, than 300mm.
All in all, for the price and feature set I think it's one of the most underrated lenses available today, probably simply because it carries the Sigma name and most people carry a bit of a predetermined bias against Sigma lenses.
I've never used this lens on a Canon, but I did have a 20D with Canon's 100-400 IS and I prefer this lens because of the ability to add the 2x converter and still maintain autofocus. I don't think you can go wrong with it.
Dave Hatfield