Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM

[gunawan]

woa, saviour sabaden, someone who understands what really happened...
I agree wif u that $300+/- difference should get the longer zoom, I also tempted, but boh lui, have to settle for the shorter one. I've tried both the 120-400 and the 150-500. Both IQ about the same IMO, AF also similar speed, OS wise, the 120-400 a little more vibration I think, but otherwise, both quite similar. And the price of 86mm filter is another killer. I think the cheapest multi UV coat for 86mm should be about how much? $50? Anyone got any idea how much the price is?

 

[SabaDen]

woa, saviour sabaden, someone who understands what really happened...
I agree wif u that $300+/- difference should get the longer zoom, I also tempted, but boh lui, have to settle for the shorter one. I've tried both the 120-400 and the 150-500. Both IQ about the same IMO, AF also similar speed, OS wise, the 120-400 a little more vibration I think, but otherwise, both quite similar. And the price of 86mm filter is another killer. I think the cheapest multi UV coat for 86mm should be about how much? $50? Anyone got any idea how much the price is?

Haha! Think I scrapped both lenses ... just got a D700 few hrs ago ;p Got poisoned by Sam & gang ... they let me play with it + the AFS 24-70 f/2.8 :lovegrin: I just say 'pack it up for me, Sam' :bsmilie: Supposed to go get the longer Sigma n place order for S5pro + Tokina 11-16 ... ended up bring home 'almost' my grail :bsmilie:

 

[gunawan]

Haha! Think I scrapped both lenses ... just got a D700 few hrs ago ;p Got poisoned by Sam & gang ... they let me play with it + the AFS 24-70 f/2.8 :lovegrin: I just say 'pack it up for me, Sam' :bsmilie: Supposed to go get the longer Sigma n place order for S5pro + Tokina 11-16 ... ended up bring home 'almost' my grail :bsmilie:

So u bought the nikon 24-70f2.8 in place of the 120-400 sigma? Like that boh telephoto range?

 

[Zeddy]

Hi zeddy, did u get the 120-400mm? :bigeyes:

Unfortunately, I didn't get it. It's due to the poor performance at 400mm according to this website. If I want to get a telephoto zoom lens, I want to use it for birding. In the meantime, I shall make do with my 70-300 vr and wait patiently for the 80-400 vr replacement.

 

[SabaDen]

So u bought the nikon 24-70f2.8 in place of the 120-400 sigma? Like that boh telephoto range?

Yeah ... got it with the D700. :lovegrin: Now looking for a superzoom which works on FX

 

[calebk]

Yeah ... got it with the D700. :lovegrin: Now looking for a superzoom which works on FX

Tamron 28-300 VC? But why the superzoom man? Won't the 24-70 more or less cover your general purpose range?

Sorry, this is really OT.

 

[Zeddy]

Yeah ... got it with the D700. :lovegrin: Now looking for a superzoom which works on FX

Get 70-300 vr. Complement nicely with 24-70.

 

[SabaDen]

Tamron 28-300 VC? But why the superzoom man? Won't the 24-70 more or less cover your general purpose range?

Sorry, this is really OT.

Take pics of my birdie lor ... Oops! pics of birds. :bsmilie: Thot of venturing into nature foto ...

Get 70-300 vr. Complement nicely with 24-70.

Ya, thot of it ... but later cos got new project now.

 

[gunawan]

Unfortunately, I didn't get it. It's due to the poor performance at 400mm according to this website. If I want to get a telephoto zoom lens, I want to use it for birding. In the meantime, I shall make do with my 70-300 vr and wait patiently for the 80-400 vr replacement.

Hi Zeddy, I was wary of that website review too, but when I tried the 120-400 and the 150-500, both was quite ok at the longer end zoom, not very soft, not very sharp, but manageable. Maybe the website guy got a lemon copy. The only thing I noticed is the contrast lose out to the 100-400L and the Bigma. Contrast on these 2 lenses much better than the 120-400. And, er, for bros buying the Sigmas, remember to check for dust in inner elements. I saw 2 copies each of the 120 and the 150, both got quite a few specks of dust in the inner elements, but AF and sharpness is ok though.

 

[SabaDen]

So after months of contemplating, anyone got this lens ... care to share your views?

ps. Think it'll work best on FF? ;p

 

[gunawan]

So after months of contemplating, anyone got this lens ... care to share your views?

ps. Think it'll work best on FF? ;p

I scrapped the idea of buying it after seeing so much dust in so many copies of it. Good choice- realised I couldnt live even with a f4, not to say f5.6... aperture too small...

 

[calebk]

I scrapped the idea of buying it after seeing so much dust in so many copies of it. Good choice- realised I couldnt live even with a f4, not to say f5.6... aperture too small...

Wait till you closely inspect new L lenses. You will never buy another lens again after that.

 

[SabaDen]

I scrapped the idea of buying it after seeing so much dust in so many copies of it. Good choice- realised I couldnt live even with a f4, not to say f5.6... aperture too small...

Haha! U dun expect bacteria or germs free too right? :bigeyes: Sometimes these things can't be help ... wait till u really need it. To me, as long as it dun affect performance, I'll go for it ... just that too many choices, makes me abit headache lah. :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

 

[TheChef]

I scrapped the idea of buying it after seeing so much dust in so many copies of it. Good choice- realised I couldnt live even with a f4, not to say f5.6... aperture too small...

It is natural for dust to get inside the lens element for zoom lenses. It is only a matter of time for dust particles to go inside your zoom lenses. As these lenses are tested by you brothers in the shop, the dust could be caused by you. I bought a Sigma 50mm f1.4 lens recently and the lens rocks.

As to whether the 120-400mm is better than the 150-500mm lens, the proof of the pie is in the eating. Anyone here has a showdown of the 2 lenses for comparison? Cheers.

 

[SabaDen]

Now that I've seen many sample from the bigger brother ... Any sample pics for the 120-400? ;p

 

[TheChef]

Anybody has sample of wildlife photos taken using Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 lens? This lens cost about $4,800.