Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I have used the Nikon 300mm prime this is a great lens, but when you compare the price and the results that are obtained the 120-300mm is a worthwhile purchase that you will not regret.

The best feature of the lens is it flexiblity that you can shoot from 120 to 300 without lossing quality. I have used the Sigma 1.4 converter the lens still produces great result in low light.

I use the lens for shooting motor sport (cars and bikes) and on occasions photographing Kite sailing and get great sharp shots.

I have read that the lens is heavy, so is the prime Nikon 300mm lens. When a lens has this amount of glass it will be heavy, a small price to pay for a great lens. The way that I have overcome this is using a monopod.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I worked my copy like a dog for years on the D2H, D2X and D3 with no complaints. Then a year or so ago I bought the 200-400 and the Boss insists he likes the images it produces better (Plus he signs my check.). So the 120-300 rides along just in case. The only issue with the Sigma is the weak finish and lack of weather sealing. Focus speed is not on par with Nikon's Silent Wave motors but is workable once you bond with the piece.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I have to say this is a really nice lens. I also own a Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS, Sigma 2x and 1.4x teleconverters plus a Phoenix 500mm f/8 reflex lens plus others. I use a Nikon D300.The Sigma 120-300mm lens is fast. My first experience using it was indoors at a high school graduation located in a gymnasium. It is very heavy, as one would expect, and I used a monopod. The monopod worked well. My photos of the graduation were taken from the stands and I was still able to zoom in and capture very clear images of my nephew on stage receiving his diploma. All photos came out very clear. I setup an experiment and used all three lenses plus the teleconverters on the Sigma 120-300mm only. Although the Phoenix 500mm reflector looks kinda cool on the camera is really produces extremely poor quality images. Of course it cost about $100 compared to the [$] for the Sigma 120-300mm. I setup the Sigma 150-500mm lens at 300mm and 500mm ranges and took photos. Then I setup the Sigma 120-300mm at 300mm and took the same shot. I also used the 120-300mm with the 2X and simulated 300mm, 500mm and 600mm. Comparing images to the other Sigma lens I noticed that without the teleconverter the 120-300mm lens produced colors much better. The quality of the image was similar but the colors were better. Using the Sigma 2x teleconverter on the Sigma 120-300mm the image degraded quite a bit. Using the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter on this Sigma 120-300mm lens the image still degrades some but not as much as the 2x. I do appreciate the fact that the autofocus works well with the teleconverters on this 120-300mm lens. They do not work with autofocus on the 150-500mm lens. Another comparison I made between the 150-500mm lens and the 120-300mm lens was focus. The autofocus on the 120-300mm is much slower than the 150-500mm lens. Also the 120-300mm does not have optical stabilization where the 150-500mm does. The mount for this lens seems a little sluggish and not as tight as I think it should. This is true for both Sigma lenses used. I am not a professional so I don't see the difference on images. However a professional might be able to tell the difference. I have smaller Nikon lenses and they seem to fit tighter. Of course the weight is much less on the Nikon lenses I own so that might be a factor. Another item I noted. The lens has a grip one can use to hold the lens/camera. I would not recommend holding the camera by itself because the lens is so heavy. However I can support the lens with my left hand and be able to reach both zoom and focus controls fairly easily. The zoom is also internal to the body of the lens so unlike the 150-500mm lens that extends when you zoom in this does not happen with the 120-300mm. I believe this allows one to have a better grip and be able to maintain balance on the lens. As for lens creep? I didn't notice any at all for the 120-300mm where the 150-500mm creeps badly.I hope this is helpful. Enjoy.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

Pro baseball action
Birds in flight
I liked having f/2.8 for night baseball
The zoom is convenient, but the overwhelming majority of my shots were @300mm
Could not get consistent sharpness hand held or on mono pod. Shot @1/2500s, very few keepers as compared to Nikon 300F4
Perhaps had poor copy. Had baseball card deadline, couldn't risk using it, returned, will get nikon 300 2.8 when available.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

Bought my lens used and used it extensively shooting football, baseball, basketball and field hockey. Under bright (sunny) conditions the AF is reasonably fast and accurate. The lens is NOT tack sharp wide open but improves dramatically at about f4. Under low light the focus is wholly unreliable - both in basketball and night D1 football venues.

IF you can't afford a new Nikon prime I would look for well maintained used glass. The focal range is nice - but it seems that Sigma may have a few kinks to work out.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

This would be 2 or 3 stars if there was something that could compete with it, but there isn't.

The 120 - 300mm 2.8 range is pretty useful in a lot of situations, and if you need that range, get this lens.

I've used this extensively over the last week shooting professional baseball in both night and day and have a good feel for it's performance.

At night, it's a great lens. It's 2.8, and a zoom lens. Not to mention, the AF is surprising quick and doesn't lead to missed shots if you have any sort of anticipation.

The worst part about this lens is the really obvious cyan fringing (CA) that appears when shooting white in contrasty situations. When shooting players in a white uniform in direct sunlight, it's pretty common to have the entire outline completely highlighted in blue. Yes, you can get around this a bit in post, but it's really annoying, and at 300mm, pretty thick.

I don't use manual focus, but the zoom ring is pretty heavy and doesn't move smooth like my other Sigma 70-200 2.8 does. The difference is NIGHT and day, and actually caused me to miss some shots because it was sticking.

Sigma claims they don't have an issue, but I don't see how something like this would pass QC when their other lenses are so nice.

Keeping that all in mind, if you want the cost saving AND versatility of a shorter range zoom at a 2.8 aperture, you don't have much option, plus you can carry this onto location much easier than the 200-400 Nikkor.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I'm no pro but have been avid photo enthusiast for over 30 yrs. I shoot high school and college soccer, lacrosse and other field sports of my kids and their friends, and bought this lens recently for this purpose. Up to now have used an 80-200 AFS 2.8 Nikkor zoom and an old 500 mm 7.2 Sigma AF zoom on a D700.

This 120-300 Sigma provides great range, and when I need just a bit more, I can achieve it with the 1.4x converter. The auto- focus is darn fast and the lens is quite sharp even wide open. And for sports, gotta have that f 2.8.

If I were a pro, I'd spring for Nikkor lenses, cause better sealed, etc., but this Sigma is faster and lighter than Nikon's 200-400 f4, and with the converter, it provides similar range and speed as that Nikon.

Wish it were a tad lighter and had VR, but can't complain at this price point. Works great on a Bushhawk gunstock.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I am really glad that I bought this lens. I do a lot of sports photography and I was torn between getting a Nikon 300mm f2.8 lens or the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 lens. Eventually after much research I decided on the Sigma. When I cover sports like soccer or baseball I love the zoom features of the lens, something that is not available with the Nikon 300mm lens. I am able to zoom in and out as the action moves close or far. Yes, it may not be as sharp as the Nikon but the versatility of the lens zoom is well worth getting the Sigma. I generally use it on my D700 but if I need more reach I use the lens on my D300 because of the 1.5X factor. The bottom line is GET THE LENS!!! You won't regret it.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

Optically this lens deserves 5 stars. It is as good as anything out there, even wide open it is sharp. I used this lens on several different bodies and on some I found backfocus issues, but on the newer bodies and the D700 in particular it's perfectly on focus. It is accurate also with the D200. It is not with previous Nikon AF systems and probably the fault is 50-50 between the lens and the body AF system.
For the rest it is spectacular, I even use it handheld (heavy though) now that I can afford shooting at ISO1600 with the D700. Sharp, sharp, sharp. In sharpness it totally humiliates my otherwise good Nikkor 80-400VR. May be I got a good sample but I can't ask for more sharpness than this.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

As a professional location photographer I always look to streamline and do more with less. This lens is a great choice for those who shoot on the move, espescially moving things! I have had both Canon and now again Nikon systems throughout this digital dawn and this lens (I've had 3) really pops with the pro bodies. I've never had a QC issue and after all, isn't that why you buy at B&H, God forbid there is a problem? If you use this professional lens on a professional camera you will achieve professional results. THAT is the formula with digital photography friends-

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

I purchased this lens on the recommendation of a professional sports photographer who had four in his arsenal, both for himself and for his assistants. He used this lens almost exclusively until the Nikon 200-400 was released but retained two for his back ups.

I love this lens. It has accompanied me all over the world and never let me down. Some complain about the focusing, but in my sport I seldom use continuous focus (although I have had excellent results at my son's soccer games shooting that way) and find the results comparable to the Nikon 70-200 in my bag.

However, I did recommend this lens to another photographer who has had problems with the sharpness and quality. Quality control does seem to be an issue in some of these lenses. So, it seems if you get a good one you're golden, if not, it's obviously not the best investment.

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

Sigma has great optics in a needed zoom range, but QC ingeneral seems lacking. I have tried a couple of differentserial number lenses out and they had different issues, fromedge CA, to slow focusing, and a sticky zoom ring.When I contacted Sigma, their only comment was we don't havea bad lot, or QC issue. If you have the time and patience tofind a good copy, you will be happy. Unfortunately Sigmareally needs to address the QC problem.

Expertise: Semi-Pro

Problems Encountered: Tested one copy on November and it functioned well, but hadsome noticeable edge CA with a Sigma 1.4 TC. I assumed thiswas inherent in the lens design. I decided to purchase onein December, but it had an HSM issue, and focused muchslower than the lens tested in November, the item wasexchanged for another copy of the same lens.The new lens focused well, and an image snapped into place,but had a zoom ring issue, and was returned for a refund. IfSigma can address their QC issues, they will have a realwinner. Older posts on line from sports photographers seemto praise this lens, so I don't know if this is a recentissue or not. But don't assume that every copy functions thesame.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Sigma 100-300 f4

Comments about Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO DG IF HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon AF DSLRs:

Are you looking to move into the telephoto prime arena? Fortunately there are many alternatives to choose from. The bottom line is the biggest bag for your buck. On paper, the Sigma 120-300mm looks like the ultimate telephoto. F/2.8, HSM/AFS, Zoom and a great price! I was rather surprised at the sub par autofocus speed as compared to the Nikon AFS primes. The Sigma gets an A+ for the build quality, speed, sharpness, cost and especially the Zoom A++! I was rather disappointed that no one has mentioned the sluggishness of the AF speed in any of the reviews on the web. The majority of my testing was outdoor soccer comparing it to the Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AFS Type 1. I hope that Sigma can go back and work on improving this element of the lens. This would truly be an amazing lens if the AF speed was even a little closer to the speed of Nikon's AFS performance.If you can live without the zoom, a used Nikon prime seems to be a better place to start if you are contemplating entering the world of telephoto primes.I hope my experience helps you!

Expertise: Semi-Pro

Problems Encountered: AF speed is not on par with Nikon AFS speed and accuracy.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Nikon 300 AFS; Nikon 200-400 VR

Items I Recommend: Sigma 105mm UV