Test shots with my new back up lens

coastalconn · Oct 21, 2013

So I sold off a bunch of gear to get my Sigma 120-300 F2.8, which is still en route. In the process I sold both of my macro lenses. I don't really shoot true macro anyways. Last week I had the Nikon 300 F4 AF-S which was a great lens, but I really didn't think it was worth the price and I just didn't fall in love with it. There has been a dark horse in my whole lens upgrade process. It's not really well known, but it is a Sigma 300 F4 Tele Macro. I'm pretty happy with my first day of testing. It focuses down to 4.5 feet to give a 1:3 Macroesque size. AF speed is slower than the AF-S, but it seems to lock and track better. The price is the kicker.. $300...

I am calling it my back up lens because I'm a little nervous about my new lens due to the Sigma track record and I am thinking about selling the Tokina... Anyways I could only find gulls today for my test subjects... Would love to hear comments about sharpness, color, contrast, bokeh and overall appearance..

1 Wide open and cropped a good amount

Seagull - Testing Sigma 300 F4 1 by krisinct, on Flickr

2 F5.6

Seagull - Testing Sigma 300 F4 2 by krisinct, on Flickr

3 F5.6

Seagull - Testing Sigma 300 F4 3 by krisinct, on Flickr

4 "macroesque" wide open

Bittersweet Testing Sigma 300 F4 by krisinct, on Flickr

5 100% crop wide open (SOOC default sharpening in LR4)

100% Crop Testing Sigma 300 F4 by krisinct, on Flickr

sm4him · Oct 21, 2013

That first one is certainly plenty sharp enough! But then, I'm still pretty certain you could tape a piece of glass to a papertowel tube and get stunning shots.

Just out of curiosity--if you sold the Tokina, what would you be looking to get for it? No, wait, don't tell me...must. stop. buying. lenses....

HL45 · Oct 22, 2013

For the price you can't go wrong!

matthewo · Oct 22, 2013

Yeah, i might be interested in that tokina as well

astroNikon · Oct 22, 2013

You guys are driving me nuts to get a 300mm lens gosh darn it :lovey:

and I have a 75-300 AF lens that does a great job, just not very good at isolation with a f/ 4.5 - 5.6

coastalconn · Oct 22, 2013

Thanks!

sm4him said:
That first one is certainly plenty sharp enough! But then, I'm still pretty certain you could tape a piece of glass to a papertowel tube and get stunning shots.
Just out of curiosity--if you sold the Tokina, what would you be looking to get for it? No, wait, don't tell me...must. stop. buying. lenses....

Where do I find a paper towel roll with an F-mount?

matthewo said:
Yeah, i might be interested in that tokina as well

I'm surprised you would be interested. Don't you already have a 300 F2.8? It doesn't compare to Nikon glass. Anyways I was going to throw it on ebay for 800 or best offer since I started quite a buzz about this lens. If anyone is interested here, I would sell it for 625 plus shipping which would be 25-35 dollars insured.. PM me and I can fill you in on all the details... or of course I'm always open to a good trade

baturn · Oct 22, 2013

Very impressive - especially with the extreme crops. But as Sharon said....

wackii · Oct 22, 2013

If you can find some time to review your new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 OS when you get it, I'd greatly appreciate it. I am planning to get it as my early xmas gift

I want to try out a faster lens and the Sigma seems to fit the bill.

Thanks,

coastalconn · Oct 22, 2013

wackii said:
If you can find some time to review your new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 OS when you get it, I'd greatly appreciate it. I am planning to get it as my early xmas gift I want to try out a faster lens and the Sigma seems to fit the bill.

Thanks,

Tomorrow it arrives but I'm working all day

Thursday morning looks like some sun, so hopefully my first round of shots I will post before I go to work. I'm sure I will be showing plenty of pics and giving more of my thoughts than anyone can bear to hear... I also have a Sigma 2x TC coming. I've seen some very good results some I am very hopeful it should be pretty awesome..

bc_steve · Oct 23, 2013

I'm surprised you're thinking of selling the Tokina, your shots with it are great!

wackii · Oct 23, 2013

coastalconn said:
wackii said:

If you can find some time to review your new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 OS when you get it, I'd greatly appreciate it. I am planning to get it as my early xmas gift I want to try out a faster lens and the Sigma seems to fit the bill.

Thanks,

Click to expand...

Tomorrow it arrives but I'm working all day Thursday morning looks like some sun, so hopefully my first round of shots I will post before I go to work. I'm sure I will be showing plenty of pics and giving more of my thoughts than anyone can bear to hear... I also have a Sigma 2x TC coming. I've seen some very good results some I am very hopeful it should be pretty awesome..

Cool. Thanks in advance. I am looking forward to hear about ur thoughts/comments about the Sigma. If everything goes well, I will be getting the Sigma 120-300mm and the Sigma 1.4x TC but will also consider the 2x TC.