Which lens Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 ex dg os hsm or Sigma 300mm f2.8 ex dg hsm

boogie 16

boogie 16

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John
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Could anyone out there in the big wide world help me to choose which one of the above lens i should choose. the lens will be paired with a Canon 7d and used for wildlife and motor sports. i will be buying 2nd hand. i have in the past borrowed the 120-300 and liked it, but would i get better images with the 300 prime i would love the new sports designated 120-300 lens but cannot afford it. i would also want to use a 1.4 converter with which ever lens i select. I have looked at reviews for both lenses and quite frankly am no clearer in my mind as they all contradict one another. I hope someone out there will help me decide.
 
I bought a 2nd hand 120-300 OS last year and used it on my 5DIII and 1DIII, it was stupidly sharp. I used it for motorsports mostly and found the focussing to be fast enough for any event.

In November the OS module broke and it got sent in as it was still under warranty. It came back terrible, every shot was a big blurry mess. It went back again, this time it went to Japan. After 6 weeks I got fed up of waiting again and asked if I could change to a Sigma 300mm 2.8 DG they had, no problem they said and sent the lens through. It was ok, I liked the drop in filters and the weight difference was noticeable. However it was nowhere near as sharp as the 120-300 originally and had to be stopped down to f6.3, after a couple more weeks I decided to trade it in and get another 120-300 OS. I ended up getting my 120-300mm back, just as sharp as before, if not slightly better, but once again no working OS. So far it's been another 6 weeks and I still have no idea when it'll be fixed, but this time I'll wait as it was just such a great lens.
 
The 300mm prime is a real dog of a lens, mages look like you smeared butter on the front element, the 120-300m zoom is very good
 
Jesus.... what a nightmare.... now I'm even more confused
HELP .........anybody
 
Out of those two, then the 120-300 f/2.8.

I've not come across many using the Sigma prime, plenty using the Canon L version and getting good results from it, but all reports I've seen concerning the Sigma prime vs zoom always ends up favouring the zoom with a unanimous decision.
 
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I take your point Gary. Thank you all for your input. 120-300 it is then.
 
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