Lens Review - Sigma 120-400

[MarkChap]

Well as most of you would be aware, I purchased the Sigma 120-400 f4.5-5.6 APO DG OS whilst I was in Canada (about 6 weeks ago now).

Well I guess as there have been a few posts recently enquiring about these I would post up a review.

Technical Stuff
Lens Construction - 21 Elements in 15 Groups
Angle of View 20.4 - 6.2 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 150cm / 59.1 in.
Maximum Magnification 1:4.2
Filter Size Diameter 77mm
Filter Size Bayonet-type Hood
Dimensions
Diameter 92.5mm X Length 203.5mm - 3.6 in. X 8 in.
Weight 1750g - 61.7 oz.
Corresponding AF Mounts
SIGMA, CANON, NIKON, PENTAX (1*, 2*), SONY (1*)

Having had this lens for 6 weeks now and having fairly limited time for use these are my observations, true to my belief.

AF Speed - Can be slow, particularly if you are changing large distance between objects, this can however be overcome by giving the focus ring a tweak as you are zooming. The HSM focus motor allows for full time Manual Focus even when set to AF.
However once focus in the "zone" it is quick to make minor adjustments.

[b]Stabiliser[/] - Seems to take a moment to kick in initially, but I would think that it does give the rated / touted 3 stops or maybe a bit better.

Build Quality / Finnish - This lens is finnished with Sigmas new matt black finnish, with an almost velvet feel to it. I haven't managed to scratch it yet and it does seem / feel to be quite rugged.
The build feels rock solid to me. The OS and focus switches slide freely and yet are quite firm and decisive. The zoom ring although a little stiff when first out of the box has freed up little now and is quite comfortable to use. The zoom and focus rings are are both easy to use yet firm in their operation giving that feeling of quality.

Image Quality
100% crop, minor sharpen, minor levels, no other processing


If I can get it right, I think this lens will certainly get it right.

Value For Money - This is very subjective, would I, myself get a better picture from an "L" series lens. I doubt it at the moment. At half the price of the 100-400 L am I happy with the quality versus price, Extremely.
For the budget conscious shooter who wants that bit extra length with stabilization you would have to look seriously at this lens.

I hope this helps someone who may have been thinking about this lens

[ving]

thanks mark, look the part for sure... now to decide between this lens and the 150-500 HSM OS.

thans for the review

[brindyman]

thanks mate.....just have to find somewhere that stocks it now apart from ebay lol

[Tannin]

Looks good, Mark, and might be just the thing for me to reccomend to a friend or two. Thanks for writing it up.

Brindyman, yry here: http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/prod...oducts_id=4228

[brindyman]

Looks good, Mark, and might be just the thing for me to reccomend to a friend or two. Thanks for writing it up.

Brindyman, yry here: http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/prod...oducts_id=4228

muchos gracias senor tannin

[jim]

Tony do you have any thoughts on this as a birding lens? Considering that some of us would love a 400 f2.8, or a 500 f4, but can't seem to quite stretch to it just now... yes, and some of us are taking all our bird shots with an excellent but frankly bloody inadequate 300 f4...

[I @ M]

Fairy bombs, perhaps you would like to post some images to back up your claims in this post because I see one that contradicts you entirely.

[MarkChap]

Yes please do Madonna,

2 days, you must have given it a real good test, having had it for that long.

Just a couple of examples from this lens
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ad.php?t=57309
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ad.php?t=53791
http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ad.php?t=48512

[creativepro]

I have a Nikon 24-70mm and a Nikon D700.

I am visiting Namibia in September and wanting to buy a telephoto lens that is sharp and quick focussing that is compatible with my Nikon D700 Also because the my equipment is already heavy - looking for a lens that is not very heavy.

Do you believe that the Sigma 120-400mm would fit the bill.

Sue

[William]

I've just spent the last three days , 5 hrs a day using the Sigma 120-400, Shooting Surf photos at the Quiksilver pro on the Gold Coast, One of my photos won a comp yesterday !! I did'nt use IS because i was shooting at 1250-1600/sec , I was quite surprised with the quality of the images it produced , I like it !!

[PH005]

I've just spent the last three days , 5 hrs a day using the Sigma 120-400, Shooting Surf photos at the Quiksilver pro on the Gold Coast, One of my photos won a comp yesterday !! I did'nt use IS because i was shooting at 1250-1600/sec , I was quite surprised with the quality of the images it produced , I like it !!

Are you able to post the winning shot on here William ?

[peterb666]

I've just spent the last three days , 5 hrs a day using the Sigma 120-400, Shooting Surf photos at the Quiksilver pro on the Gold Coast, One of my photos won a comp yesterday !! I did'nt use IS because i was shooting at 1250-1600/sec , I was quite surprised with the quality of the images it produced , I like it !!

It is a great lens. I have its big brother, the 150-500 and this pair of lenses would have to be the best value long zooms on the market.

[PH005]

Am glad to hear and see that I think I made the right choice in buying the Sigma 120-400 a couple of weeks back. Have not had time to get out with it seriously yet but am looking forward to it.

To Brindyman : I bought mine locally at Photo Continental for an internet matched price of $810.00. Go for it !

[creativepro]

Hi PH005

Is it possible to provide the link to the website where you purchased the lens?

What filters do you use on the 120-400mm lens?

What camera are you use?

Sue

[PH005]

Hi PH005

Is it possible to provide the link to the website where you purchased the lens?

What filters do you use on the 120-400mm len

What camera are you use?

Sue

Google " Photo Continental ". Do not have any filters specifically for it, but I do have 77mm Cokin kit for my 10-20 that will fit it if I desire. I use a canon 40D.

[creativepro]

Sigma lenses are often inconsistency, I have a concern in purchasing a Sigma lens over the net ?

Sue

[ricktas]

Sigma lenses are often inconsistency, I have a concern in purchasing a Sigma lens over the net ?

Sue

Any lens, no matter what brand can have inconsistencies. It is called fault tolerance. Basically lenses are designed fit within a specific quality control level. That level may be say 98% accuracy, and then any lens that is tested at the manufacturing stage and fits in that 4% bracket (2% over and 2% under specification) is sent to market. There is no such thing as a perfect lens, and two lenses made after one another will display differences, no matter what the brand.

Sigma make some truly great gear, as do the other brands. Yes you can get an lens that may need calibrating to your camera etc, to be as accurate as possible, but that is not just a Sigma issue.

You do not have to buy Sigma lenses over the net, you can get them at most reputable camera stores as well, so you can take your camera along and test it out first, take some shots using the lens and then zoom in on your LCD screen as much as possible to check sharpness etc.

[MarkChap]

Sigma lenses are often inconsistency, I have a concern in purchasing a Sigma lens over the net ?

Sue

Just be aware that if you buy from a Grey or Parallel importer you WILL NOT have genuine warranty provided by CR Kennedy

I am unsure about where you hear of this "inconsistency" , Sigma have no more and no less, quality control issues than any other lens maker, I have 3 now and not a single issue. I have sold plenty and not a single one has had any issues

[kiwi]

Sigma today seem a much different company than even three or four years ago. At that time th definately had qc issues. Not now.

[creativepro]

Thank you