http://public.fotki.com/m8o/dogs-life/funinthesnow/ ( the first 17 only -- first 5 are with the 2X TC ) Users who are in the market for this type of lens are probably already aware of the heft and size that they demand, and the Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports is no exception. At around 8 pounds and over 15 inches long, this is a heavy, large piece of equipment. However, despite the weight and bulk, this Sigma tele-zoom allows you to save quite a bit of dough compared to competing models from other manufacturers, while still having excellent build quality, as well as excellent image quality. What if the world were not seen by everyone as a brand war? I understand it may he difficult to understand for you but try making the intellectual effort of imagining that some photographers assess equipment based on the value it brings to photographers compared to other available options. And not based on the logo. so where is the z300/2.8 lens? is it on the same roadmap that has had a z200-600 listed for the last three years, but never delivered? :-0

Sigma UK APO compatibility chart – Sigma UK

With 1.4x APO Tele Converter, AF can operate between infnity and 0.52m. If the subject is closer than 0.52m, only MF is available. I was forced to buy a Nikkor 300 2.8 as well for an important assignment, which was an unwelcome added expense. It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so. The bokeh is creamy smooth, the contrast is good and the colour rendition has none of the old sigma yellow cast. The Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens is the first telephoto lens produced by Sigma as part of their Sports ("S") series lenses under their new Global Vision strategy. Serving as a replacement for the previous model, the Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO, the new lens features redesigned mechanics and exterior construction. It's also heavier than the previous model, weighing in at around 8 lbs. with the hood and tripod foot attached, compared to the 6.5 lbs. of the old version. It's also slightly larger in length and width.

The Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens is a fantastic piece of glass that features professional-level image quality, build quality and features at a price point that, at least at the time of this review, are not matched by any other competing lens manufacturer.

APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM / EX DG - SIGMA Corporation

To me, the benefit of the Canon is pretty much as described by postcardcv in that it will focus faster, helped by the focus limiter, and it is very well made. The improved AF speed is particularly important when using TCs, of course. I personally did not like the Canon 300 IS for birding either. The Canon 300 II changed all that. It is the first lens I am happy with. For birding. A great all around-er that takes T.C.'s fairly good and AF excels with pro body's. these are with the 1.4x TC) I do note a tad of color fringing in the full rez of these images too. Now that I realized how to use Lightroom correctly, I can/should re-do them to get rid of it. The Sigma 300f2.8 has reasonably responsive focus. The Canon is however marginally better ...but not much. Thailand and Vietnam have been the manufacturing hubs of AP South for many years. Many companies identified strategic risk in China and moved essential production facilities there many years ago.

Let’s talk about the weight issue now. At 3.39 kilos, this is not a light lens. And it is expected, given its fast aperture of f/2.8. The Nikon 400mm f/2.8G VR is also a monster of a lens for that very reason. However, this is no 400mm and the lens barrel is nowhere as long in comparison. So the central issue with the weight is the fact that the lens is too heavy for its compact size. I have shot with the 500mm f/4G VR quite a bit (which in my opinion is the best hand-holdable Nikkor super-telephoto) and while it is a slightly heavier lens (by about 500 grams), it is much easier to hand-hold. With the use of the optional Sigma APO teleconverters, this lens can be used as a 420mm F4 AF ultra-telephoto lens with a 1.4X EX teleconverter, or a 600mm F5.6 AF ultra-telephoto lens with a 2X teleconverter. Detailed specifications for the teleconverter can be found in our lens database. Lens Compatibility Focuses well enough, but not quite 'ultimate performance' as I wasn't able to catch running gazelles or wildebeests running to or from me too well. It auto focuses much slower when you engage the manual focus ring as well. If you slid the focus rind forward so manual focus is disengaged, it's much faster. photography-lover: Common sense and experience tell a user what can be done with the lenses she/he owns. And there are way more scenarios for using a 300 mm f:2.8 than Australian Open, semi finale or not.

300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports - SIGMA Corporation 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports - SIGMA Corporation

When you add a 1.4X converter it will still produce sharp images but will reveal more chromatic aberration (in some situations) with a Sigma converter than the Canon prime with a Canon converter. However the chromatic aberration can be managed with software. lens-db.com lists 4 versions of the sigma 300mm f2.8 apo starting in 1988 with the original MF version - rather similar to the tamron adaptall 60B 300mm f2.8. An AF version was introduced the same year, then a HSM EX version with 11 elements instead of 12 superceded the 1988 design in 1999. The last version was the more compact EX DG HSM introduced in 2005. Thought i would share this with you. I have had the sigma 300mm f2.8 in the service center 3 times now. finally with a new chip that the dealer here can reprogram it is really giving me shaaaarp images. If you buy this lens i highly recommend you get it calibrated with your camera and the new chip installed. A world of difference for me. I am so amazed at the images at 2.8, wide open It is just incredible. Now i cannot tell the difference in wide open and stopped down. And i am a crop every image heavily. Also i had to quit using the sigma 1.4 and 2.0 t.c.. It degrades the images fo much for me.With 1.4x APO Tele Converter, AF can operate between infnity and 0.53m. If the subject is closer than 0.53m, only MF is available. My mistake, the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 is indeed internal and an excellent example of a tele zoom lens getting lighter from generation to generation. You are right that the Nikon 120-300mm f2.8 Z could be even lighter than I thought it could. Thanks for pointing this out. See my complete, ongoing review of this lens here: http://sportsphotoguy.com/sigma-120-300mm-f2-8-dg-os-hsm-s/ Sony announces the development of a 300mm F2.8 lens, and already Sony dislikers are criticizing what this lens has or what might be missing. Accepts both 1.4x and 2.0x EX Teleconverters to produce 420mm F4 and 600mm F5.6 Autofocus ultra telephoto optics.