sigma 120-400

[gimphead]

Sigmas 120-400 with OS

Can anyone point me in the direction of some reviews or information on this lens. I like the price tag but would like some opinions. thanks for any help.

[NHL]

FYI: http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showp...ct/1184/cat/31

IMO for slighly more the 150-500 OS is a better lens (according to the MTF's)
-> and If you can live without stabilization then the 100-300 f/4 with TC is sharper... (@ 400mm)
or the Bigma (@ 500mm)

[gimp]

Very helpful info on that site, thank you. Does anybody have any experience with an online store called sigma4less? I see it priced on there and it's considerably cheaper through them. Are they reputable?

[NHL]

I can't recommend you either way... :O
-> The things to look for is all Sigma EX lenses carry 4-years USA warranty - If an item is considerably cheaper most likely they only have the standard 1-year international warranty

It just depends how confortable you are as I've bought lenses both way and they do come from the same factory

[garman]

I've made purchases from sigma4less. On 3 occasions. 2 TC and a sigma 18-50 ex lens. No problems, this was all done on line. Have you considered the 80-400 OS this is a EX brand. Probably better IQ from what others have read and others have posted. Also if you are in the US, your looking at a 5-7 year warranty. BTW. regarding international warranties, don't they apply to Canadians. I spoke with a technician from Gentec (Sigma repair service for Can) They only seem to honour Canadian Purchases, not sure what would happen if a American tourist brought a sigma lens in for servicing.

[NHL]

It looks like you only need a valid receipt (but then I never have to repair yet):
http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/v...mp;forum_id=65

Basically you are getting 4-years USA warranty (7-years Canada) if you buy theses EX lenses:
APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS
APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG HSM
APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM (Bigma)

The non-EX lenses come with only 1-year regardless (which is the same for any Canon):
APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

-> Bottom line is to stick with the EX if you can, theses series have better IQ, and they come with a generous warranty !

[pj1974]

Hi gimphead

I was very keen to see about this lens (120-400) or the Sigma 150-500mm when it was announced, thinking - if the price is decent, it could be a very great package... good reach / OS and HSM focussing...

I think however it was / is better on paper than in reality. I tried the 120-400 lens as well as the 150-500mm lens on both a 40D and on my 350D. On both cameras, the focus speed was not super stellar (neither in terms of speed or accuracy)... I mean my 100-300mm Canon lens (a budget and dwarf in comparison) focussed MUCH much quicker and apparently more consistently in low light.

And while the lens' image quality was "quite good" - at the maximum zooms it lacked the punch and raw clarity that I had experienced with a 100-400 Canon lens, even with the Sigma's stopped down. Surely with some fine post processing and careful use of the lenses in their sweet spots - some great images are possible. I'm not denying that.

But I must admit - reviewing my test photos, the Sigma lenses (both 120-400 and 150-500mm lenses) were not quite good enough in my opinion to justify the price. (I wasn't seriously thinking of buying them, I just brought my camera to the store to try it out... out of curiousity!)

There are plenty of user and a number of professional reviews out there... In summary, they are decent lenses, capable of good photos - but don't expect stellar AF performance. Some people also question the quality control, and the OS (optical stabilisation) doesn't seem as sure / mature as say the Canon's IS.

Paul

[gimp]

I understand the 80-400 ex to be discontinued, it this correct. I would really like the lens to have OS or IS depending on brand. I want to be able to shoot BIF and assume this is necessary to do so. Any other brands or models you guys can offer up?

[NHL]

gimp wrote:

I understand the 80-400 ex to be discontinued, it this correct...

Correct

I would really like the lens to have OS or IS depending on brand. I want to be able to shoot BIF and assume this is necessary to do so. Any other brands or models you guys can offer up?

You absolutely don't need IS for BIF !!!
-> You need a shutter speed high enough to freeze the motion - by then the shutter speed is fast enough to compensate for your handshake.
I shoot from a 1-man kayak in the middle of the Potomac and I don't require IS (Sigma 50-500) and this was at sunrise when the fog has yet to burn off: