Seeking feedback on sigma 120-300 nikon mount

[scenar]

Hi,

I am considering acquiring this lens to use with a sigma 2x teleconverter.

Does anyone have any experience with this lens?
I read all kind of stuff about back-focusing on dpreview, of course sometimes
people get a little to sensitive and over-react to small problems with their gear;
however, I still would like to seek feedback here regarding this lens.
At almost $4k, it's not a trivial sum of $$

Thanks!

[Clown]

quality usually drops a lot with 2x converters and u'll most probably lose AF capabilities along with it.

[scenar]

Apparently this lens take 2x TCs ok, many have praised its image quality even wide open with a 2x TC. However, a significant number have also complained abt intermittant backfocusing problems even with no TC.

I use a 70-200VR with 2x TC, when shot @f9, it performs pretty decently really.

[Mendis]

Scenar, this 120-300 lens is an extremely capable lens. Heavy price tag too 3k. works wonderfully with dedicated 2x.

[smallaperture]

Originally Posted by Mendis Scenar, this 120-300 lens is an extremely capable lens. Heavy price tag too 3k. works wonderfully with dedicated 2x.

Can show us some pics, better still with 100% crop w/o any processing.

[scenar]

hey Mendis, do u use this lens for birding? Im currently on a 70-200vr with 2x... not enough reach!

[ortega]

for birding, your longest lens is always too short

[scenar]

Hahaha..indeed it is always the case.
even 800 mm with 2x TC is not enough reach

That's why good fieldcraft is as imp as gd equipment.

Originally Posted by ortega for birding, your longest lens is always too short

[Terence]

I found this lens awkward and heavy, it didn't last more than 2 months in my dry box before I junked it. Image quality was ok at best, I find Nikon glass to produce the type of images I prefer.

[scenar]

wow ok, that's quite a knock against it. Think I better try one somewhere / somehow first...hmmm... no joke for $3.7k. I don't want to have to junk it, esp AFTER selling my 70-200vr to finance it.

What kind of nikon glass were u comparing it against?

Originally Posted by Terence I found this lens awkward and heavy, it didn't last more than 2 months in my dry box before I junked it. Image quality was ok at best, I find Nikon glass to produce the type of images I prefer.

[ComB]

Originally Posted by Mendis Scenar, this 120-300 lens is an extremely capable lens. Heavy price tag too 3k. works wonderfully with dedicated 2x.

Yes,very good lens.Using 2x sigma TC,u will see very very little drop IQ.

[ComB]

Hi,do anyone have some pics taken using this lens...?thks

[scenar]

Originally Posted by ComB Hi,do anyone have some pics taken using this lens...?thks

hmm? i thought u just said it was a very gd lens in the prev post?
What was the basis of this opinion then?

I assume u do not have the lens since u r asking for pics by it

[ComB]

Originally Posted by scenar hmm? i thought u just said it was a very gd lens in the prev post? What was the basis of this opinion then? I assume u do not have the lens since u r asking for pics by it

Yes i just got this lens new last week.Test abt 45min at the shop to make sure everything is Ok.Only thing i need to see some pics sample frm others....It is not as sharp at Canon 300IS but base on the price,the sharpness is ok at f2.8.Not much money to buy Canon IS

[scenar]

ah icic. ok, im using nikon, also no $$ to buy nikon, dat's y wanna ask arnd abt this lens too! btw, mind sharing where u bought the lens fr and how much ?
is the built quality up to the canon L series?

Originally Posted by ComB Yes i just got this lens new last week.Test abt 45min at the shop to make sure everything is Ok.Only thing i need to see some pics sample frm others....It is not as sharp at Canon 300IS but base on the price,the sharpness is ok at f2.8.Not much money to buy Canon IS

[ComB]

Originally Posted by scenar ah icic. ok, im using nikon, also no $$ to buy nikon, dat's y wanna ask arnd abt this lens too! btw, mind sharing where u bought the lens fr and how much ? is the built quality up to the canon L series?

Hi scenar,nice that u reply.This stuff i bought at TCW,a good shop to buy if u know them.To buy Canon n Nikon,wow to much money.Built quality is good SOLID...TCW has 2 unit with them,u can try it.Price is abt 3K+.But u must be prepare this heavy lens...need to used monopod..if i have time,i can post some pics which work with sigma 2x telecon....

[scenar]

Thank you for your reply too comB
ah ic, so its a grey set yes?
hmmm...considering this lens for birding with a 2x TC (I assume u r a birder too?)

Looking forward to your pics with the 2x TC

cheers!

[ComB]

This is just a test sample pics as request,nothing special.
Camera used: Canon 5D .Pics nos A1 - A6 direct Jpeg file non edit
1DmarkII .Pics nos A5 - A9 Raw-Jpeg edit
Pics nos A10 - A15 Raw-Jpeg non edit (300mm with tele 2X)
Pics nos A16 - A17 Raw-Jpeg PP with soft effect (300mm with tele 2X)

A1.at 120mm crops f2.8 1/200


A2


A3.at 200mm crops f2.8 1/125


A4

[ComB]

A5.crops at 300mm f2.8 1/125


A6.


at 300mm f2.8 PP edit.
A7.


A8.


A9.

[ComB]

Here are some pics at 300mm+sigma 2X telecon non edit Raw - Jpeg(1DMII).just a sample pics no special...

A10.


A11.


A12.


A13