Sigma Long range wildlife setup

Joeturner11

Joeturner11

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Joe
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Hi,

Iam currently using my Nikon 300mm f/4 for wildlife and loving the lens as a carry around lens but sometimes struggling getting reach sometimes, for hides and setups in the forest Iam looking at considering a huge lens set up the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 with the Sigma 2x Converter for wildlife photography with the converter it has 360-900mm (f/5.6 I think), Does anyone know what the focusing speed is like and any sample images of this setup? OR would it be better to look at a Sigma 300mm f/2.8 with 2x Converter as that is a prime lens and heard that works well with the 2x Converter, I will be using the lens mainly on a Nikon D300/D700.

Cheers

Joe
 
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Have you tried a convertor on your D300 before

To be honest I never had much success with a 2x on mine, even on the 70/200 2.8. which is superfast at focusing.
 
I've tried 120-300/2.8 (first gen HSM DG without OS). Your 300 f4 is a gem. It is essentially like 300mm f2.8 less one stop of aperture and VR. To be honest the Sigma 120-300 is actually softer than AF-S 300mm f/4 both wide open and at f/4. At long end the effective angle of the sigma is more like 250-270 depending how close your focus. Furthermore, there is increased size, bulk and reduced close focus distance. Can't recommend it as upgrade to 300mm prime.

I haven't checked the new 120-300 with OS. It could be much better. Or get the prime.
 
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mpe said:
I've tried 120-300/2.8 (first gen HSM DG without OS). Your 300 f4 is a gem. It is essentially 300mm f2.8 less one stop of aperture an VR. To be honest the 120-300 is actually softer than 300mm af-s f4d both wide open and even at f/4. At long end the effective angle of the sigma is more like 250-270 depending how close your focus. Furthermore, there is increased size, bulk and reduced close focus distance. Can't recommend it.

I haven't checked the new 120-300 with OS. It could be better. Or the prime could be better. The
Click to expand...

Thank you for your knowledge :)
 
I had a sigma 120-300, it works fabulously with a 1.4x and not to bad with a 2x a little soft but very useable

Here is an example using the 2x at 5.6


House Sparrow3 by mjbprs, on Flickr

here is one using a 1.4x it was taken at 1/80th


Blue Tit5 by mjbprs, on Flickr

and finally one with no convertor taken at 2.8


300 28 by mjbprs, on Flickr

Oh and if you do decide to take the plug this very lens is currently for sale at MPB as I traded it in for my 600mm
 
Aargh! I keep looking at that lens on MPB am desperately trying to find good reasons not to buy it. You are not helping!
 
I moved from a Sigma 150-500 to the 120-300 f2.8 OS which I use with a 2X. Cpable of some excellent shots.

IMG_H2083.jpg


IMG_H1608.jpg
 
MadWoman said:
Aargh! I keep looking at that lens on MPB am desperately trying to find good reasons not to buy it. You are not helping!
Click to expand...

Sorry, I probably shouldn't mention that it is practically mint and should come with reversable (black/forest) neoprene lens coat:)

I don't work for MPB by the way, just happy with their service.
 
I've got the sigma 120-300 f2.8 os, fabulous with the sigma 1.4 tc, looses a lot of quality with the 2x I'm afraid, I'd get a nikon tc1.7 for your 300mm to be honest.
 
Well, perhaps it is just the JPEG or image hosting, but the above shots don't show the Sigma in the best light.

The issue here is not that the 120-300/2.8 is bad. The problem is that the Nikon 300 f/4D is exceptionally good including with TC where you lost aperture and focus speed but not so much IQ. On high-res sensor, you can literarily count all your pixels.

I believe no zoom lens can match it. Including Sigma 100-300, 120-300 or 150-500 (those I've tried). I am not sure about the new Nikon 80-400, Sigma 120-300/2.8 OS or Nikon 200-400.

I know it'll be expensive, but in realistically next stop from 300 f/4D are only exotics like Nikkor 300 f/2.8, 200 f/2, 400/2.8, 500 f/4, etc.

Here is how AF-S 300 f/4D renders images at 100% crop level:
w6rf.jpg

0pw3.jpg
 
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Sigma 120-300 2.8 OS +2x. All taken *handheld.*

f/5.6 (wide open) @ ~20yds

Strutting his stuff by skersting66, on Flickr


Ring Necked Pheasant by skersting66, on Flickr

f/8

Yellow Shafted Flicker by skersting66, on Flickr


Blue Gray Gnat Catcher by skersting66, on Flickr


Red Wing Blackbird by skersting66, on Flickr

w/o TC

_SGK1008-Edit.jpg by skersting66, on Flickr

The lens is very good especially considering the price. Works well w/ Sigma TC's. Does NOT work w/ Nikon TC's and my Nikon lenses won't work w/ the Sigma TC's. AF takes a hit w/ the 2x of course, and it's better stopped down. I would say the same for my 400 f/2.8 VRII.
 
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sk66 said:
Sigma 120-300 2.8 OS +2x. All taken *handheld.*

f/5.6 (wide open) @ ~20yds
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8755730602/
Strutting his stuff by skersting66, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8755732718/
Ring Necked Pheasant by skersting66, on Flickr

f/8
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8735582330/
Yellow Shafted Flicker by skersting66, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8818464524/
Blue Gray Gnat Catcher by skersting66, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8959454350/
Red Wing Blackbird by skersting66, on Flickr

w/o TC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skersting/8664419228/
_SGK1008-Edit.jpg by skersting66, on Flickr

The lens is very good especially considering the price. Works well w/ Sigma TC's. Does NOT work w/ Nikon TC's and my Nikon lenses won't work w/ the Sigma TC's. AF takes a hit w/ the 2x of course, and it's better stopped down. I would say the same for my 400 f/2.8 VRII.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the sample images they look stunning!

Cheers

Joe
 
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