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120-300 f/2.8 back in action! picture.

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Hi Earl.

The sigma is a gem of a mid range tel zoom. Maybe I got lucky with mine, but if someone was to offer a straight swap for a nikon 300 f/2.8 AF-S XYZ.....lol, I would turn them down. But remember that I went through 3 of them before I got the sharp one.

No, I rarely handhold the 120-300. When I am out with it the little fella lives on the end of my monopod, slung over my shoulder walking around and when shooting, it supports me as I drape myself all over it!

--
Warm regards, Dave.

Have a look at my gallery if you feel the need.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

If you decide to get a gallery like this, don't forget to use my email address [email protected] to get a discount.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

 
The price did go up in '05, (before the "DG" versio0n) it was around $2000 and went up to $2400 a few months ago.

AM and Broadway are a far dry for a "real" photo dealer, tricks include NOT including the battery with a DSLR, Id guess with this lens they will hold the tripod collar and hood for ransom.

Id go Ebay long before these guys.

Some of my Sigma lens samples
http://www.pbase.com/ray645/sigma_lenses

regards
Ray
MMuddler said:
The price I see amongst the reputable first tier suppliers around
NJ NY (BHPhoto, Adorama, Unique Photo) is $2399 ... and add $149
for the TS 41. At least they throw in the lens hood and a bag (?).

However, looking at Fred Miranda reviews ( almost all very
positive) I see several people reporting that they paid prices well
below $2000. Was there an earlier version of the lens or a price
increase in early 2005? Or could it be that most people are buying
from the e-tailers like Broadway, Prestige, A&M and Digital
Liquidators who show $1599 prices?

I'm not comfortable leaving the first tier retailers for a purchase
like this... but jeez, the difference is about 800 bucks. .... 33%
margin for BHPhoto if the other guyz are at cost.

--
Marabou Muddler
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/ray645
 
Went ahead and snagged last copy of Nikon mount lens on the shelf... at last year's price.
--
Marabou Muddler
 
Since you mentioned "monopod", let me ask a noobie question. I recently bought a new upgraded tripod and head, but had trouble with the setup when shooting pics at the zoo. The trouble was I needed to step up onto a section of sidewalk where I didn't have room for the tripod. Several people here suggested I try a monopod for more flexibility.

So, I ordered a Manfrotto 680B along with a RRS B2-Pro clamp (since I have RRS plates on my 70-200 and 300 2.8). After reading some info at the RRS site, I was planning to mount the clamp directly to the monopod. Here's my "dumb" question. Obviously, you aren't always shooting level with a monopod, so I guess you just lean it forward to aim slightly down? Doesn't this change in center of gravity cause issues as you try to support the monopod as it's leaning forward? Do I need a swivel head under the clamp or am I worrying about something that really isn't a big deal?
 
does that collar make a big difference in the pivot action of the lens?

I have the stock collar, and to me the one big negative of this lens is that the rotation of the collar is just not smooth...does the accessory collar help or does it just provide a handle?
any info appreciated!
T
 
I have the d70(and the 120-300) and it does focus slow, you really have to shoot in burst mode and pick one.

Holding off on the D2x to see what the next 12 weeks brings from Nikon...but I'm getting weaker!
 
... hoping that somewhere in the gap between D2X and D70 we pick up more robust focus and cleaner high ISO at 8-10 MP.... wondering if the D2Hs is already sitting there at the edge of that space as a deterrent to finding my focusing and burst rate solution in Nikon's D200 response to the 20D
--
Marabou Muddler
 
Hi Dave:

Fantastic shot!! Also, thanks for the info re: comparison with 70-200VR. The 120-300 is getting lots of attention lately which is a good thing. I am still undecided but swaying towards the Sigma.

Allan
 
The collar is a friction mount, unlike canon's ball bearing race mount. But we are talking huge difference in price as well. My suggestion is to keep rotating it and see if it wears in, the other option is to put a tiny bit of graphite powder (grab a small puffer bottle from your local hardware store) And take the collar off and put a little on the track. Wipe every extra bit off with a rag and wash your hands because graphite powder and glass do not go well together. Mine did stick at the begining, but after one sports season of rotating from landscape to portrait, it is getting smoother.
tschorer said:
does that collar make a big difference in the pivot action of the
lens?
I have the stock collar, and to me the one big negative of this
lens is that the rotation of the collar is just not smooth...does
the accessory collar help or does it just provide a handle?
any info appreciated!
T
Click to expand...
--
Warm regards, Dave.

Have a look at my gallery if you feel the need.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

If you decide to get a gallery like this, don't forget to use my email address [email protected] to get a discount.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

 
Mark53 said:
Since you mentioned "monopod", let me ask a noobie question. I
recently bought a new upgraded tripod and head, but had trouble
with the setup when shooting pics at the zoo. The trouble was I
needed to step up onto a section of sidewalk where I didn't have
room for the tripod. Several people here suggested I try a monopod
for more flexibility.

So, I ordered a Manfrotto 680B along with a RRS B2-Pro clamp (since
I have RRS plates on my 70-200 and 300 2.8). After reading some
info at the RRS site, I was planning to mount the clamp directly to
the monopod. Here's my "dumb" question. Obviously, you aren't
always shooting level with a monopod, so I guess you just lean it
forward to aim slightly down? Doesn't this change in center of
gravity cause issues as you try to support the monopod as it's
leaning forward? Do I need a swivel head under the clamp or am I
worrying about something that really isn't a big deal?
Click to expand...
I have never seen a stupid question on this forum, if we all knew everything, we wouldn't be here.

I don't have a head on my monopod. If I want a shot close to ground level, I collapse the pod down and sit on the ground. If I want an arial perspective, I find some thing to lean on and handhold, or just simply handhold and pump the speed up to 1/2000th sec plus to reduce camera movement effect.The majority of the time I do shoot level, but that is sport for you. I don't shoot birds very often.

--
Warm regards, Dave.

Have a look at my gallery if you feel the need.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

If you decide to get a gallery like this, don't forget to use my email address [email protected] to get a discount.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

 
I have never used the 135-400, but I can say 2 things, it is better for the use I require than my 50-500 sigma.

The other thing is that the 135-400 is f/4.5-5.6 making it useless for fitting a tc to. One of the main factors for me buying the 120-300 was that it is an constant f/2.8 lens, and even with a 2 x tc fitted, I am still at f/5.6 making my AF and metering fully functional.
Kezzerxir said:
Do you thinks its better then the 135-400 sigma?
Click to expand...
--
Warm regards, Dave.

Have a look at my gallery if you feel the need.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

If you decide to get a gallery like this, don't forget to use my email address [email protected] to get a discount.
http://www.dksphotography.smugmug.com

 
Why I would even think about 360 degree rotation with a !!! monopod????

-- Anyways, it does allow me to angle up or down without rocking the 'pod forward or back. Up in a stadium when I'm shooting down, that helps.
Marabou Muddler
 
Thats odd, I find the AF pretty zippy on the D70, yes its faster on the D2h but everything is. I find the HSM to be more noticeable (big improvement) on the D70.

regards
Ray
tschorer said:
I have the d70(and the 120-300) and it does focus slow, you really
have to shoot in burst mode and pick one.
Holding off on the D2x to see what the next 12 weeks brings from
Nikon...but I'm getting weaker!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/ray645
 
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