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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2013
This all started a year ago when I found myself faced with a perfect photo opportunity and only armed with a 60mm that day. I ran across two black bears busy digging out a tree stump across a creek and they were so engrossed neither noticed the group of photographers shooting away from the other side, except me!!. As I looked around, I saw almost every photographer with a long lens, 300, 400 both Canons and Nikons shooters, one was using a Nikon 200-400.
Here I was with a great photo opt and I came home nothing to show for it, because I was not prepared.
I have posted some of photos I took with this lens on the truetoad site, look for the gallery-wildlife-birds
There are a LOT of choices in the 300mm and longer range out there and one could list half a page of various zooms that reach as far as 500mm for under $1500.00, but each of these offerings has its draw backs in performance. For one, I don’t like lens that extend and contract during zooming (pumpers as I call them), I prefer internal focusing with a constant f stop, at lest f4 and nothing more.
As I laid out my requirements with my budget restraints the choices narrowed considerably so, I made my choice based on my available funds going for the most performance at a reasonable cost. After several days of reading and research, It was the new Sigma 120~300mm 2.8 Sport edition I decided on. Had I the capital (cash) I would have went for the Nikon 500mm f4, I plan on getting that lens next year. The full hands on review for this Sigma can be found on my TrueToad site.
Here it is in a nut shell;
Weight: This is a seven pounder, and couple that with your DSLR and your closing in on 9 pounds. So, unless you have been working out this may be around the weight that benefits from some kind of support. I am researching a harness to allow me to carry and shoot - we shall see
Quality/Craftsmanship: Sigma did a wonderful job revamping this lens, the build, fit and finish is top notch and has weather sealing. This is a top quality lens, no slop, wobble, or otherwise.
Image Quality: Very good, I am impressed and having the infamous Nikkor 70-200mm VRII Sigma's image sharpness is in most cases just as sharp as the Nikon's. There is some slight softness at 300mm but nothing to complain about.
Focus and Optical Stabilization: The focus is fast, and accurate, with a fast or slow option. Mine does have some difficulty at times when clutter is near the subject, such as birds in trees surrounded by branches, but overall, the focus nails it, and keep in mind a lot depends on available light, and how you have YOUR camera set up. Optical Stabilization works as well as my Nikkor VRII lens, and does improve overall image quality when using slower shutter speeds. This lens has OS two modes, and when engaged makes a slight auditable click, and when viewing through the viewfinder you can see the image lock. So, yes it works and is beneficial.
Price VS Performance; This is not a cheap lens, so you expect a good performing lens when you get it. SIGMA has done a great job of adding tweaks to their already great lens making it even better and more enjoyable to use.
Since the next closest price for a 2.8 300mm will set you back about 2 grand more, this lens makes a lot of sense.
Things you need to know and consider: Consider adding the USB dock if you buy this lens, the dock allows you to update the firmware, and make additional tweaks to a few parameters.
This lens DOES NOT support Nikon Tele converters. So if you a Nikon Shooter and already have an investment in Nikon TCs, your out of luck. You will need to purchase one that works, I suggest in this case the SIGMA line as they work perfectly with this lens. Yep - another $250.00 sorry. I use both the 1.4 and 2.0 Sigma TCs and I can say the 1.4 really shines, making this lens a 420mm and very good sharpness; check out my images on the TrueToad site shot with this combination.
I gave this lens 5 stars based on the quality, performance, and price when measured against the cost of other 300mm 2.8 lenses.
Sure, the primes offered by Nikon or Canon do deliver slight increase in performance, but the additional cost in my opinion out weighs the benefit.
Here I was with a great photo opt and I came home nothing to show for it, because I was not prepared.
I have posted some of photos I took with this lens on the truetoad site, look for the gallery-wildlife-birds
There are a LOT of choices in the 300mm and longer range out there and one could list half a page of various zooms that reach as far as 500mm for under $1500.00, but each of these offerings has its draw backs in performance. For one, I don’t like lens that extend and contract during zooming (pumpers as I call them), I prefer internal focusing with a constant f stop, at lest f4 and nothing more.
As I laid out my requirements with my budget restraints the choices narrowed considerably so, I made my choice based on my available funds going for the most performance at a reasonable cost. After several days of reading and research, It was the new Sigma 120~300mm 2.8 Sport edition I decided on. Had I the capital (cash) I would have went for the Nikon 500mm f4, I plan on getting that lens next year. The full hands on review for this Sigma can be found on my TrueToad site.
Here it is in a nut shell;
Weight: This is a seven pounder, and couple that with your DSLR and your closing in on 9 pounds. So, unless you have been working out this may be around the weight that benefits from some kind of support. I am researching a harness to allow me to carry and shoot - we shall see
Quality/Craftsmanship: Sigma did a wonderful job revamping this lens, the build, fit and finish is top notch and has weather sealing. This is a top quality lens, no slop, wobble, or otherwise.
Image Quality: Very good, I am impressed and having the infamous Nikkor 70-200mm VRII Sigma's image sharpness is in most cases just as sharp as the Nikon's. There is some slight softness at 300mm but nothing to complain about.
Focus and Optical Stabilization: The focus is fast, and accurate, with a fast or slow option. Mine does have some difficulty at times when clutter is near the subject, such as birds in trees surrounded by branches, but overall, the focus nails it, and keep in mind a lot depends on available light, and how you have YOUR camera set up. Optical Stabilization works as well as my Nikkor VRII lens, and does improve overall image quality when using slower shutter speeds. This lens has OS two modes, and when engaged makes a slight auditable click, and when viewing through the viewfinder you can see the image lock. So, yes it works and is beneficial.
Price VS Performance; This is not a cheap lens, so you expect a good performing lens when you get it. SIGMA has done a great job of adding tweaks to their already great lens making it even better and more enjoyable to use.
Since the next closest price for a 2.8 300mm will set you back about 2 grand more, this lens makes a lot of sense.
Things you need to know and consider: Consider adding the USB dock if you buy this lens, the dock allows you to update the firmware, and make additional tweaks to a few parameters.
This lens DOES NOT support Nikon Tele converters. So if you a Nikon Shooter and already have an investment in Nikon TCs, your out of luck. You will need to purchase one that works, I suggest in this case the SIGMA line as they work perfectly with this lens. Yep - another $250.00 sorry. I use both the 1.4 and 2.0 Sigma TCs and I can say the 1.4 really shines, making this lens a 420mm and very good sharpness; check out my images on the TrueToad site shot with this combination.
I gave this lens 5 stars based on the quality, performance, and price when measured against the cost of other 300mm 2.8 lenses.
Sure, the primes offered by Nikon or Canon do deliver slight increase in performance, but the additional cost in my opinion out weighs the benefit.
