Nikon 300mm f/d af-s V Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8

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anyone used them both? how do they compare - sharpness - wide open - af speed etc?
 
I've owned both - bought one the 120-300 in 2005.

Excellent, very sharp wide open. Focusing is faster than the 300mm f/4 AF-S (which is probably Nikon's slowest focusing lens).

Without comparing side by side I'd expect the Nikon to be sharper wide open than the Sigma, but stopped down to f/4 I think it would be close.

The Sigma is also huge and heavy. But optically excellent.

There is a wide open test shot here from the 120-300 - as you can see its quite good :)

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/LensTests/_DSC3910-120300.jpg
 
thanks Andy - what about Sigma sample variation that I've heard about - does it really exist - is there really much chance of getting a duff one?
 
I think the sample variation issue is over egged, and with such a big heavy lens, there is huge scope for user error, especially if anyone tried to handhold it!

I bought mine new, and it was sharp out of the box, and I never had any problems with it at all. I didn't keep mine ultimately as I found lugging around a 3kg lens a real burden, so I went to the 300mm f/4 AF-S and never regretted it, or really missed the extra stop either. But optically I think the 120-300 is pretty good.



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Both the shots above were the Sigma 1.4x TC and the 120-300.
 
Excellent shots. I have the Nikon 300mm f/4 but just wonder if the zoom wouldn't give me more flexibility - esp for sports. I appreciate your input. Thanks.
 
I moved from the Nikon 300 AFD to the Sigma 120-300 f2.8. On the Nikon i found that using a 1.4tc then i was missing shots of birds in flight where now with the 120-300 i can get the majority. I find the Sigma stopped down one stop to be very very good and when you get to f7.1 then its critacally sharp. As others have said its very heavy but for me its worth it. Having that flexability really makes the difference as well. Never tried the Nikon 300 AFS though.
 
Hi Andy - couldn't get your links to work as I'm trying to comapre the two Nikon 300mm f4s. Can you try again please? Thanks.
 
Yes - it was that thread that got me worrying I hadn't gone down teh wrong road completely :/
 
i am going to get around to putting a link to some example 120-300 images in that other thread tonight..

i suspect andys links no longer work as theyre 5 months old :)

edit - oh you got the 300. no worries.
 
Ooops,wrong thread,sorry.
 
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