Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Review

Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
edited September 2013 in Nikon DSLR cameras
D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |

Comments

  • mamothmamoth Posts: 1Member
    Really its nice one ... thanks for sharing ... :)>-
    rescuedigitalmedia.com
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    Interesting… a "new" lens which performs like its predecessor, but cost a heck of a lot more. ANd, the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 VRII blows it out of the water.

    I think before spending %3600 on this I would go all the way for the Nikon at $5800.
    Msmoto, mod
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited December 2013
    I will have to agree, there are times when a zoom is great. And when one cannot "zoom with the feet" it may be a nice lens to have. But, the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 falls off too much from the center, and is actually, as I understand it, the old lens with a new package, I would still find the 300/2.8 Nikkor best for me. This would give me 70-200, 300, 400, and with the TC's up to 800mm.

    I think the issue with edge sharpness is the deal breaker for me on the Sigma.
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
  • shawninoshawnino Posts: 453Member
    @msmoto: Is there enough difference in the framing of 300 and 400 primes to want to own both? I think I'd be using 300-and-crop an awful lot more than taking the time to switch the 400 onto the camera. I guess, in theory, one could have the 300 on one body and the 400 on another, but now one is talking about hiring a porter :)

    If I was holding your set of lenses I think my next move shorter-than-400 might be the 200 f/2. On the other hand, your high ISO stuff is so good, you might not need the extra stop the f/2 provides.

    Ah go on. Buy the 800 f/5.6. You know you want to. You could get up on a tall building and shoot the Daytona events without leaving home. Travel savings right there make the glass pay for itself...
  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    I am purchasing my Lotto ticket this afternoon…..LOL

    As to the 300mm with the 400mm. It is actually practical to hand hold the 300mm f/2.8 while doing so with the 400mm f/2.8…I have done this, but it is something one wants to set down fairly frequently. 2.9 kg vs 4.6 kg.
    Msmoto, mod
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    While the 300mm F2.8G VR Nikkor is optically superior, the Sigma is a budget option for those who don't have $6000 to spend to get a 300mm F2.8 lens.

    I rented a Nikkor VRII for a while and while it is a stunning lens, I would be hard pressed to say it is worth $2300 more than the Sigma zoom (the sport sell for around $3700, while the Nikkor is nearly $6000). I opted for the older Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM (non-OS), which aside from the lack of OS is almost optically identical. I think it performs very well for the price (I picked up a used copy for $1500) , and while I enjoyed using the Nikkor, I would have a hard time justifying the extra cost of ownership.
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    I look forward in getting the 300 2.8 in 2014....you can take that to the bank :P
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    I did, I have more in the bank thanks to not buying the Nikkor. :p
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    To each his own....
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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