anybody pre-ordering the Sigma 120-300mm?

Personally I prefer to wait until the reviews are in, especially in terms of focus speed (I'm spoiled by the almost instantaneous focus speed of the Nikon 300 2.8) and of course IQ. But is anybody taking the plunge? I would love to have a 120-300 2.8 for sports.

Dont have it but have OS version. Optically fine but HEAVY
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Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh (Irish Gaelic)
A good word never broke a tooth.

I would be if I didn't already own the current OS version. It's very good.

what mount do you have it for? how's the AF speed?

SergioSpain said:

SergioSpain wrote:

what mount do you have it for? how's the AF speed?

Click to expand...

Mine is Canon mount. I use it with my 1D4. The AF is plenty fast, comparable to my Canon Ls.

Sigma makes some great lenses, but their quality control is bad. And, especially with AF I think they have problems because they need to reverse engineer communications with the camera body. For example, if you do some research on the Net you'll see the recently launched 35mm 1.4 from Sigma gets fantastic reviews for sharpness. BUT, you'll also find quite a number of 5dIII or 1dx owners that have focus issues. I have an older 120-300 2.8 (non OS). It's a very good lens but it performed better on my 20d than my 1dIII. I haven't yet tried it with my 5diii. But, it leads me to think that maybe the more sophisticated AF systems give the lenses more trouble. When I bought the 120-300 2.8 it sold for $1800 so it was a no brainer. At the current price point and given all the focus issues from Sigma lenses people have had in the last few years, I'd be a bit more hesitant. I would wait until the lens has been out long enough to get some feedback from people that know what they're doing and can compare this lens' sports shooting performance to comparable OEM lenses for shooting sports.

Kinda sucks when you get a new lens, or any thing else in this profession and its outdated in less than a year. but thats how it goes.

I have the new OS version I purchased in the fall and really like it. The only thing I hate about this lens is the hood, plastic junk. This is the second 120-300(non OS) I've owned for my Nikon's and the hood always was too short or not enough to cover direct sunlight. I've attached a hood extender that I've made my self and it seems to work better when I shoot backlit.

As for the new lens, I'm kinda curious why would someone need a lens with multiple adjustments. I primary shoot sports and wouldn't want to tinker with slowing it down. Maybe a second setting for night games?? I'm not sure so I'll wait to see some on the streets and get a user opinion.