Sigma 120-300 2.8

[B712]

Anybody using this lens for sports photography??? What you think of it???? Show some pics.

[Photo-John]

I've been thinking really hard about it, as you know. I got to play with one, on an EOS 3, at PMA, and it was pretty solid. The AF seemed plenty fast, it felt good on the EOS 3, and I don't have any doubts about the quality of the glass. My main concern is the AF speed and accuracy as it would be replacing a Canon 300mm f/4L for me. I'm willing to give up a little image quality, but I can't afford to give much, if anything, on AF speed and accuracy. So I'm afraid to pull the trigger.

From everything I've read, heard, and my minimal experience with it, it's great. Will it do what I want it to do? I'm not sure. And I can't afford to spend any money right now, anyway. Maybe I'll see if Sigma will send me a loaner to test. I'd like to use it in the field, and there seems to be a lot of interest.

One more thing to note. I talked to Sigma's US marketing manager about the 120-300mm. He usually has some interesting philisophical tidbits to drop about Sigma products. In the case of this lens, he said they pulled out all the stops in order to make the very best possible 300mm f/2.8 lens. Their 300mm f/2.8 prime was built to meet a specific price point. But not the 120-300mm. It was made only to be the best. Knowing that makes me feel good about it. Sigma is absolutely capable of making excellent lenses. The only area where I question their ability is autofocus. Until Nikon came out with their AF-S lenses, Canon absolutely ruled for AF speed and accuracy. I've heard great things about the Sigma HSM lenses, but have no hands-on experience. Even if no one can share experience with the 120-300mm lens, maybe someone can say something about how the Sigma HSM AF compares to Nikon AF-S and Canon L-Series USM lenses. That's something I think would be good to hear more about.

Sorry I don't have more specific experience with the lens. I'm still very curious about it and love the idea of it. So I'd like to hear from someone who's using one and see some photos, too.

[JDub]

I've heard great things about the Sigma HSM lenses, but have no hands-on experience. Even if no one can share experience with the 120-300mm lens, maybe someone can say something about how the Sigma HSM AF compares to Nikon AF-S and Canon L-Series USM lenses. That's something I think would be good to hear more about.

I have a Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM lens. As far as AF speed, I'd say it is good but not great like the Canon USM lenses. It doesn't hunt much, but it isn't quite as fast as the Canon 70-200 f2.8 L lens that I tried out. I'd say the Sigma is about 85% as fast as an estimate.

I don't have any problems shooting sports with the Sigma, but if I could have come up with the extra cash I would have probably sprung for the Canon. The image quality is very comparable between the two lenses IMO, just the AF speed that was better on the Canon.

[Photo-John]

That's exactly what I was asking for. I would still like to try the Sigma 120-300mm, though. Although, lately I've been thinking that for my next big lens purchase I should just go huge and get the Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS. I want it, I want it, I want it! I neeeeed it

[Ouvinen]

I agree with JDub, as I've got the 70-200/2.8 HSM. I just can't afford the Canons. I don't rely on the autofocus as much, I usually prefocus anyway, so I can totally live with it. The optical performance is sweet as far as I can say. Sharp, nice bokeh and accurate colour rendition. And it feels nice and sturdy. It is heavy though, but...so it's supposed to be.

[Ken Murphy]

I use a Sigma 70 -200 F2.8 HSM for motorbike racing, on auto all the time and I have no problems. No hunting or focusing behind objects etc. I would love to give the 120 - 300 a go giving the multiplication on my camrea would push it out to a 450 2.8.

[Ouvinen]

I gotta say the 70-200/2.8 does focus a bit sluggish with a 2x converter, but with the 1,4x converter it's very nice, at least in car racing shots. I'd say mountainbikes are pretty hard as there's always clear sky showing through the wheels/frame etc, and that can fool the AF...