I bought this lens for photographing motor sport primarily, along with some wild life. Had to be special ordered though my local retailer which took almost two weeks.
The lens is quite soft when used wide open at 300mm (f2.8), especially at the edge of the frame. Stepping it down to F8 improves the sharpness, although it is still perhaps a little soft around the edge. Auto focus can struggle in low light conditions, but generally seems fast and efficient. The lens generally performs well, and I've so far taken quite a few decent shots of dear with it, although I've not yet managed to use it for motor sport.
The lens weighs a fair bit, and although you can hand hold it, you wouldn't want to do this for long periods. This lens really needs to be used on a tripod or monopod. Since the focusing is internal, the lens does not change length when zooming in or out or whilst focusing and therefore you will be able to use a been bag or similar for support with no problems.
One minor issue, when comparing this lens to Sigma's 300mm prime, is that it does not employ the drop in filter system that the prime does, so if you want to use filters you'll need ones that fit the large front diameter. Not cheap.
So far so good, but be prepared to be seriously disappointed with the build quality. I've now returned my second due to scratches on the internal elements on both examples I've received. These are clearly visible if you look into the front of the lens. If I want a third attempt at getting one of these, I'll need to wait for another new lens to come in from Japan, as there are currently no perfect examples of this lens in the UK. Not impressive. Probably not going to bother with any Sigma lens from now on, I'll save up and get the Nikon 300mm prime, which I guess is what I should have done in the first place.
Strengths:
It's a 300mm lens that gives an aperture of f2.8 for about half the price of the equivalent Nikon or Cannon primes.
The 120-300mm zoom range is really nice to have.
Probably a good lens if you can find one without flaws, but do you want to take that risk?.
Weaknesses:
Build quality is terrible and quality control at Sigma is obviously non existent.
Be prepared for a replacement to be a refurbished unit too (my second example was obviously refurbished, something that Sigma have now admitted).
Soft, even when stepped down to f8, even softer (I'd go as far to say unusable soft) when using the 1.4x convertor, but then I've not had a good example to be sure.
Auto focus hunts in low light.
You get what you pay for - this is half the price of Nikon's or Cannon's 300mm f2.8 lenses. You can tell.
Similar Products Used:
None, but will be replaced with a Nikon lens. Either the 70-200 f2.8 VR or the 300mm f2.8 prime.
Customer Service:
Absolutely abysmal. They knowingly sent out a refurbished unit as new. I will never use a Sigma product again.
A very heavy lens, but not as heavy as the primes with which it competes. I bought this lens primarily to use with a 2x TC for wildlife, but I wound up selling my Canon 70-200 f2.8L because it works great for sports/action/low light as well. For the money, this is just an incredible buy. Its sharpness rivals the Canon L primes even with a teleconverter, and it even gives acceptable IQ and sharpness with the 2X stacked with a 1.4. Only thing I didn't like about it was the fact it came with a leather cap instead of a plastic lens cap, but I picked a plastic cap up on ebay for $10.
Strengths:
Incredible sharpness, great contrast, great AF speed, built like a tank, unbelievably reasonable price. Very versatile lens.
There's pros and cons regarding this lens, but the pros outweigh the cons by far. It's zoom range is one of the handiest things I've ever seen in regards to shooting action -outdoor sports. Read up on it extensively before I purchased my a year or so back and heard all kinds of negatives regarding its AF capabilities. From what I gather through various internet photography forums, it seems most of the AF negatives come from Nikon users. I've used mine extensively with a Canon EOS 1D with and without Canon 2X and 1.4X teleconverters and have gotten excellent results. I'm not saying its AF capabilities are up to snuff with Canon's L line of primes and zooms, but its super-impressive zoom capabilities make up for any inadequacies in my opinion. Optically, it's as good as any lens I've ever used and I give it my highest recommendation. Lots and lots of bang for the buck!
Strengths:
Superb optics, zoom range, build and durability...
Weaknesses:
A real heavyweight...heaviest lens I've ever used. Lacks some AF tracking capabilities. The "stock" tripod/monopod mount gets a low rating. The threading on mine stripped out after about 4 months and had to spend $150 (B&H) to get a replacement, which, incidentally, was much more durably made. Don't know why Sigma doesn't provide the "replacement" mount when you purchase the lens in the first place. Lens hood is a bit small.
Similar Products Used:
Canon 70-200 f/2.8, Canon 300 f/2.8 (15-minute test run at a football game).
Customer Service:
No need. Was asked by several photogs why I didn't get Sigma to replace the strip-threaded collar after only 4 months of use, but I used the 120-300 so extensively that I had to have a replacement immediately. Don't know if Sigma would've replaced it or how long it would've taken to get it replaced in the first place.
This would be the lens of my dreams if functioning properly.
After trying 2 different new lenses on 2 different Nikon D70 cameras, focus is in 95 % of the images 1-3 dm (4-12 inches) behind the subject I aim for, when shooting from 10 m distance. One of the lenses was sent to authorized Sigma service for check between tests, one of the cameras was sent to Nikon for focus adjustment. Problem is still remaining afterwards. Several hundreds of pictures taken, subject NOT moving.
It is very evident shooting at F2.8 from 10 m and zoomed to 300 mm, but at closer distance and / or zoomed out it seems to be OK. Also, first focusing 2 m behind subject and then refocusing on my main subject when taking the picture, seems to give worse result than first focusing at closer distance.
My 15 years old AF Nikkor 300/4 provides 100 % images with correct focus under the same conditions (same subject, distance, light, camera settings, focus procedure etc.)
On my Nikon F4, I have not observed the problem, although only one roll of film taken and not exactly same distances.
Another odd observation regarding this lens is the focal length when set to 300 mm. I did observe a significant difference to my old Nikkor, which brought me closer to the subject. I took some images of a long ruler from 8 m distance and then calculated the focal length. The Nikkor was 305 mm and the Sigma 270 mm. Sigma Corporation, Tokyo head office, informed me that focal length should be measured focused at infinity. In that case focal length is less than 270 mm since it decreases when focusing to infinity (same result for both 2 Sigma lenses tested). This is not a major problem though.
Sigma corp. answered to my questions regarding focus problem with providing info of the lens optical performance, but did not comment on what could cause the focus problem and not what I could do about it. After writing three letters, they now claim that the camera is faulty, but that it is not possible to detect the fault with any other lens (!).
I have been testing and discussing this issue with my local retailer and Sigma for almost two months now. If they can provide a lens working properly on my D70, I will recommend the lens. Now it is worthless.
Ive bought this lens to replace an old Nikon 300/2.8. It has been used extensively on my trip to New York, Vancouver, New Zealand and Japan. It performed without a hitch.Used on a Nikon F5.I was happy with the results.
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