Sigma 120-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO DG OS HSM

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Simple question.....any good?

I have a number lenses including a 70-200 2.8 IS which is great which I sometimes use with a 1.4II converter.

I fancy a slightly longer lens for airshows, Le Mans etc.......but don't want to shell out a grand for a Canon 100-400, so.........

Is the Sigma any good?

Cheers

[VxDuncan]

...Would like to know also. Currently planning my next holiday specifically to avoid anywhere that involve a safari (and hence new equipment purchase). The latest sigma EX (has to be EX) stuff is very good, no regrets on the 70-200 2.8 MkII.

[coanda]

I'll be honest and say I have not used this lens, however, I probably wouldn't buy non-EX Sigma lens' as I tend to find the Canon equivalents better on the whole. I thought my 50-500 was good until I got the Canon 100-400mm. The Canon lens can be very sharp if you can operate at F8 or so, it's quite light weight, certainly in comparison to the Bigma, and the IS is excellent, and, when combined with USM puts the HSM/OS Sigma system into the shade in terms of speed and hunting. IMO of course. I read that the 120-400 is about the same size and only a little heavier than the 100-400 when it has it's collar on.

I personally feel that if you didn't want to pay a grand for the canon then you could save a bit more and get the sigma 100-300F4 EX which, by all accounts is very good.

I check out FredMiranda.com before I spend any big money on camera kit, but it seems this lens doesn't have a review entry yet...strange that.

By googling the lens plus 'miranda' I went straight to this forum thread.....

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/657115/0

There are others....

coanda

Edited by coanda on Sunday 18th January 20:14

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Thanks Coanda

Interesting reading and now I'm totally confused!

[coanda]

lol - I tend to have that effect......what are you confused about?

Often, if pricepoint is the issue I'd be clear on the budget and go from there.

[NewNameNeeded]

Agree with above comments. No specific info with regard to the lens you mention but having used a fair few sigma lenses I would say the EX ones can be very, very good (some as good as Canon/Nikon equivalents in my view) but their normal range don't seem as good.

[MartinP]

I bought one of these last October. I have a couple of Sigma EX lenses and before buying did worry about this not being part of their EX range, however once I got my hands on one I was really pleased with how well it performed. I think maybe Sigma couldn't decide whether it should be part of their EX range or not as they supply it with an EX case.

Here's an example shot that I took with it:



It focuses very quickly and the OS works well. As with all Sigma lenses, it won't be as well built as a Canon L lens and probably the optics won't be as good, but for the price it certainly fits my needs and I'd recommend it.

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I'm simply confused by the amount of threads on the web regarding this and other Sigma lenses, some of which some are good and some bad! The main problem focuses around the the reliability of Sigma lenses - although I have two which have been faultless to date.

That said, it seems to be a good lens for the money and I may be tempted to get the credit card out before the night is through

[MartinP]

It sounds like Sigma's quality control is quite poor - I've seen a review that claimed they had to return a 24-70mm EX lens three times to get a good one, but I think that must be an extreme case. At least if you buy from a reputable dealer and you get a duff one you can change it. Don't think I risk buying one from a Hong Kong e-bay store...

[Bernie-the-bolt]

MartinP said:

It sounds like Sigma's quality control is quite poor - I've seen a review that claimed they had to return a 24-70mm EX lens three times to get a good one, but I think that must be an extreme case. At least if you buy from a reputable dealer and you get a duff one you can change it. Don't think I risk buying one from a Hong Kong e-bay store...

I think the UK is a must TBH.

Best I've found so far is mid £400's.

[coanda]

Bernie-the-bolt said:

I'm simply confused by the amount of threads on the web regarding this and other Sigma lenses, some of which some are good and some bad! The main problem focuses around the the reliability of Sigma lenses - although I have two which have been faultless to date.

That said, it seems to be a good lens for the money and I may be tempted to get the credit card out before the night is through

Ahh, I see what you mean. I think Sigma's QC does let them down. You simply don't seem to get the same kind of variation in opinion with Canon lenses. It would be good if it were easier to adjust some of these features in-camera, and, in fact, some people calibrate their lens' becuse they know that the lens is a bit 'off'. I read more about this but can't remember it, so I shan't try and live on my wits here - have a search around matching a lens to a camera body....

Whatever you do decide to go for, I'd be interested to see the results.

Cheers

Coanda

[coanda]

MartinP said:

I bought one of these last October. I have a couple of Sigma EX lenses and before buying did worry about this not being part of their EX range, however once I got my hands on one I was really pleased with how well it performed. I think maybe Sigma couldn't decide whether it should be part of their EX range or not as they supply it with an EX case.

Here's an example shot that I took with it:



It focuses very quickly and the OS works well. As with all Sigma lenses, it won't be as well built as a Canon L lens and probably the optics won't be as good, but for the price it certainly fits my needs and I'd recommend it.

This is in no way a criticism - more of a question to check out my own setup, but.....do you think that the pic is a little dark? I got a huey for christmas and trying to make sure it works ok, and soo far allot of photo's I'm seeing on the web are turning out a little dark.

Cheers!

Coanda

[Simpo Two]

coanda said:

This is in no way a criticism - more of a question to check out my own setup, but.....do you think that the pic is a little dark? I got a huey for christmas and trying to make sure it works ok, and soo far allot of photo's I'm seeing on the web are turning out a little dark.

I thought so too - from experience I set my monitor brightness to 38 for photo editing (but turn it down for other work). A moment's work with levels/curves will have Mr Deer looking right

[MartinP]

I'd agree its a little dark too. I got a Spyder for Christmas and only then did I realise I'd had my monitor set too bright, so I now see that quite a few of my earlier images are too dark.