ART Super in depth review of the Sigma 120-300 2.8 /w Sigma 2x Teleconverter

[CornUponCob]

I wouldn't really recommend it except for perfectly still subjects. Stick with the 1.4 and just crop.

If it's a 300 2.8 prime, go ahead and use a 2x.

Now you know.

 

[Marix]

Do you get a 600 5.6 at the long end?

But lose autofocus?

 

[CornUponCob]

The sigma 120-300 is really more like a 280mm 3.1 at the long end, so you end up with like a 560 5.8 or something.

The camera reports 600 5.6, but it's not quite that. you still have AF, but unless the subject is in direct sunlight, it's nearly useless. Series of running shots were 9/10 OUT of focus in the shade, and about 7 out of 10 IN focus when in the sun on a D700.

 

[s14brent]

turbodude has this lens and says the 1.4x doesnt really affect the IQ iirc.

I have the sigma 300 f/2.8 but my kenko 1.4x doesn't work with it. hrm. fucking useless.

 

[MSIGuy]

What about the AF? I've been seriously considering this lens for baseball on a 1D2, but I've heard the AF blows. Your thoughts?

 

[CornUponCob]

What about the AF? I've been seriously considering this lens for baseball on a 1D2, but I've heard the AF blows. Your thoughts?

The AF without a teleconverter is about 85 - 90% as good as the 300 2.8. It does better tracking objects coming towards you than objects moving away.

Some people complain about the AF while zooming. . . I haven't really had any issues. The lens does have to do a lot of autofocusing while zooming but hey. . . at least the lens zooms.

Buy this lens if you need a lens that zooms from 120-300 (my big money maker is swimming and the range is perfect for swimming. I'm constantly zooming throughout the range. I'd shoot swimming with a 70-200 and a 300 and missing the 200 - 300 range was annoying and I'd miss shots switching bodies). If you just need reach just get a regular 300 2.8.

 

[MSIGuy]

The AF without a teleconverter is about 85 - 90% as good as the 300 2.8.

That's great to hear. Maybe I'll send an email off to our Sigma rep and see if I can work out a loaner copy.

 

[turbodude]

120-300 is bauce if you need the flexibility, especially VIDEO...

with the 1.s sigma tc, i see no loss in IQ... however my 400 3.5 AIS is razor sharp, so it is my go to if i need the range, and literally i feel is the exact same with a 1.4x tc on. But the 400 is also known as one of the sharpest telephoto lenses ever made. so yeah.