Third party high-end lenses

[hamlet]

So those of us who are on the up-and-up know what third party lenses can do and what their quality is. But now i'm wondering how good the top shelf lenses are?

Examples:

1: 300mm F2.8
2: 500mm F4.5
3: 800mm F5.6


I tried to look for other brands, but sigma seems to have the third party market cornered as far as these types of lenses go. So how good do these lenses measure up to their contemporary nikon counterparts?

 

[Overread]

Sigma make some good glass in this range (heck they make the only 500mm f2.8 lens on the market in their 200-500mm f2.8 monster lens). That said there are also some lemons - the 300mm f2.8 has never had a strong following (their 120-300mm f2.8 has been said to be generally sharper). Although I'm not sure if they've released new versions.

Their zooms in this range are also quite worthy to consider. Pick some choices and do some searching, they are certainly well worth considering as Sigma can make some very good glass .

 

[hamlet]

The 120-300 overlaps with my 70-200 vrii, i want to avoid overlapping lenses focal lengths because laziness will inevitably kick in and one lens is gonna get brushed to the side after that fresh car smell disappears.

But yeah, i never hear birdsters or sportsters talk about the 300mm f2.8, but there is no real descent either really. That lens is my first choice since it is so cheap for what it does, but i do need a thorough look into it. While i'd like to have the 500mm 4.5 be a 2.8, it isn't bad looking either. Stinks that we don't have people here who own these lenses.

 

[Overread]

You may well have to hit some of the much bigger forums to get more input on those from users - once you're into high price or rare lenses you sometimes need bigger communities to get more feedback; but yes Sigma's 300mm f2.8 isn't a winner I read very few owning the prime.

As for the 120-300mm and the 70-200mm honestly they don't overlap.

That's the 120-300mm next to a 70-200mm f2.8 - as you can see whilst their focal lengths cross over; their size, and weight and bulk certainly do not. Thus I've found that one uses them in the real world in a very different way. The 70-200mm is compact, light and fits in nearly anywhere - the 120-300mm is more specialist you need to justify taking it because its going to be heavy, and bigger!

 

[480sparky]

..... i want to avoid overlapping lenses focal lengths .....

I intentionally overlap FLs in my lens choices.

My lineup of zooms are:
12-24
17-35
24-120
70-200
150-600

I also have a 24-85 and 70-300 as a back-ups, as well as a 28-200 for street use.

 

[hamlet]

Have you tried using that x2 teleconverter on your tamzooka + 1.5 crop factor on your 24mp camera?

 

[480sparky]

Have you tried using that x2 teleconverter on your tamzooka + 1.5 crop factor on your 24mp camera?

No. The 1.4 Nikkor TC degraded the IQ to my minimum. I fear a 2.0 will look like excrement.

 

[hamlet]

Well at least you've got the crop factor giving you a maximum of 9 decimeters.


But damn i want that 300mm 2.8 both reach and light.


Here is a review on the 120-300mm:

Verdict

The Sigma AF 120-300mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM DG OS is a refreshingly unique design. It offers the best of both worlds - the flexibility of the popular 70-200mm f/2.8 tele zoom lenses and the reach of the big 300mm f/2.8 prime lenses. The question of the day is, of course, whether it can deliver ? Well, mostly at least. The critical center performance is on an exceptionally high level and this is where it counts the most on a tele lens, of course. The border/corner quality isn't quite as impressive albeit still pretty decent. The amount of vignetting is about typical for a large aperture tele zoom lens. Distortions are usually nothing to worry about. The quality of the bokeh is generally good. A really outstanding aspect of the lens is the very low amount of bokeh fringing. The lens is a member of Sigma's professional grade EX lineup. Regarding its full metal construction and tight assembly we've no doubts that it can withstand some abuse. Just make sure that you can live with the rather massive weight and large size. The AF is very fast making it suitable for use during sports/action events. The HSM ("Hypersonic Motor") operates also near-silent so you won't shy away nervous wildlife either. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) is another highlight of the lens and its 4 f-stops efficiency is on par with Canon's IS. The moderate pricing of the Sigma lens is quite baffling. In absolute terms it is, of course, very expensive but compared to a 300mm f/2.8 prime lens it represents an exceptional value.

Seems you give up on quality in the corners, so this would be an excellent lens on a crop sensor.


Here is one from the obscure 300mm 2.8. There is literally little to nothing written about this lens, i'm just scrapping the burnt food from the bottom of the pot to get any clue: Sigma 300mm f2.8 EX

 

[coastalconn]

Here's what I did with the 120-300 OS (Non sport) mostly with a 2x, some with a 1.4x.. a few no TC https://www.flickr.com/photos/coastalconn/sets/72157636905007005/

 

[hamlet]

That is a amazing collection. Do you use the nikon brand or sigma brand tc's?

 

[coastalconn]

I have the sigma 1.4 and sigma 2x.. I don't really use the lens any more I like the Tamron better...

 

[curtyoungblood]

Hamlet,

Just to make sure, the review you linked to isn't the most recent version of the 120-300. That review is for the OS, not sport version.

 

[Overread]

Far as I've managed to find out the Sport and the OS edition are the same optics.
Sport mostly came out with their new brand ID and also the new USB docks

 

[unpopular]

You call that a high end lens?

THIS IS A HIGH END LENS

In all seriousness, Sigma in the past has had problems with focus inaccuracy, this even after it's reputation improved. I haven't heard this complaint in a while but it definitely is a concern for me; can Sigma consistently perform? Maybe this is a problem at the lower end?

Certainly firmware updates would help solve this, but one thing we know from the photography industry, platforms seem to be abandoned the moment a newer version comes out, even with unresolved issues (maybe that's more of a Sony habit).

 

[Patrice]

You call that a high end lens?

THIS IS A HIGH END LENS

28-80 and 70-200 only adds up to $39,800. Good thing it's not $40k - that would be over my budget.:blushing:

For some only the best will do.