Sigma 120-300 F2.8 OS Review with Sample Images

[PharaohAhkenaten]

I know I never buy a lens if it doesn't smell good.

[fwijffels]

11:22 That rule is correct, but your math isn't. You forgot the 4 stops OS. So that would be 1/500 - 4 stops = 1/60

But since this lens is very heavy I'd chose a 'safe' 1/125. And even though it's pretty sharp @ f2.8, I think it can be sharper with this lens.

Maybe you weren't holding it as still as possible and maybe the guy moved a little, cause don't forget your subject must me absolutely solid as well.

[fwijffels]

Damn, this guy is annoying... Awesome lens though!

[mikes0476]

Is this lens any good for shooting hockey, is the autofocus fast enough? As well with regards to sharpness how is it compared to the Nikon 300mm F4 lens?

[Stollyboy]

i like how you smell everything:) hahaha

[Freepepsi42]

this lens costs more then my first car. (2007 mini $2000)

[ajlepisto]

I've shot pro sports with the old lens, and it's really nice. What people don't understand is that sometimes a 300mm 2.8 shafts you for sports where you shoot players who are moving a lot. Think basketball...where the players are always going towards or away from you.

Ya, you can crop, but getting a full image to start with allows you more flexibility later.

[Wistbacka]

Dude! What's up with the freaky smelling of the products????

[TheFlippyMan]

Rugers Beer & Soda

Awsome Video.

[kidmakers]

35 ppl didnt sniff gas film when they sniffed their 120-300

[trashcanalive]

The shots taken with the old lens had a 0.5 stop faster shutter speed (1/1250s versus 1/800s for the shots at 120mm). I'm wondering if the extra glass in the new lens reduces light transmission?

[CAJUNNSC]

Fro First off, thanks for all the great reviews. Now for the cut! WTH Dude, why would you use a 300mm lens to shoot a subject 4 - 5 foot away? Yeah I know it's a test example. But that's not really what5 WE are wondering. If we were going to ask what a Nik 105 f/2.8 had to offer this would be a great test. But it's a 300 so! How bout some real world test ( birds - chicks on beach @ 150mm )

Thanks Man !

[TheWhoppuh]

are you using a vertical battery grip on the d7000? im about to get one for the nikon d90, what do you recommend?

[alfonsocuiti]

LMAO! I always smell gadgets and stuff when unboxing them for the first time :D

[royraiden]

Whats the name of that shop?

[JaredPolin]

@royraiden Allens Camera and video. Levittown PA

[royraiden]

@JaredPolin Can you tell me if they ship items?

[royraiden]

Im interested in a Canon 300mm f2.8 non is and saw you had one in your video,thats why Im asking.

[michaelandcarina]

@JaredPolin Was in the neighborhood last month visiting from Germany. Lost my lens cap and remembered your videos, stopped by the shop and picked up a new one. Really enjoyed the shop and the service. Was hoping to run into you, but maybe next time. ;)

[michaelandcarina]

@JaredPolin and coolness, the dude at 11:00 is the dude that helped us out. XD

[PlasteredDragon]

Might want to put a few 100% crops in your videos so we can get a sense of the hi-res images without having to download them.

[trukkastanleyJ]

I sniff the stuff I buy now..... Thanks FRO!!

[cojaro87]

I would like to know if this lens has any focal length breathing. It it still 300mm/450mm equivalent at its mininum focusing length at 300?

[ecyor7]

don't understand why you're not using a full frame camera to test these lenses...

[JaredPolin]

@ecyor7 i was using the d3s to record the video for one and two so many people have asked that i do some tests with the DX sensor. Either way it gives a good representation of what the lens can do.

When i get the 120-300 in the mail from sigma i will test it with the d3s.

[ecyor7]

@JaredPolin yes i was just curious. Thanks for making these videos! Everyone really does appreciate your effort and clarity when it comes to these reviews.

[gjaeigjiajeg]

@ecyor7 I think using a smaller sensor (usually would have a significantly higher pixel density) would actually help create more critical results than a full frame (most of which would have a relatively low pixel density).

a pixel density of an APS-C on a lens would be more ideal to show the optical limits of the lens.

[ecyor7]

@gjaeigjiajeg i respectfully disagree. Using a crop sensor your are not utilizing the lens itself to its fullest. You have missed 50% of the glass in that thing. Your FOV has changed from what it was originally intended, possible vignette in the corners are now gone, distortions and aberrations may be significantly different if tested on a DX compared with FX sensor.

[ecyor7]

@gjaeigjiajeg Only reason i see why jared would test with a DX is because many people do not own FX cameras- they would want to see a review on a DX sensor

[JogBird]

id rather get the 300/2.8

[hsr513]

Jared we need a tripod video please.

[desmondlaugh]

Hey jared your killing me man you have me now debating the 200mm f2 or this but you gotta take at least a few samples at 300mm on a full frame so I can get and idea of how it would look on a d700 thanks

[gigicalifornia]

perfect lens for some casual snapshots......... :p

[jaimecabalum11oo]

#yey

[BigThumbs1]

wats the beeping noise? is it the camera or the lense?

[movania89]

When ever u sniff i always thought how madly do u give a sniff test to any girl products..

[Adreiix]

Is this one lens I don't see anywhere! Thanks for making a review

[Spaeckli]

are those Hasselblad 500's behind you?

[nwarken]

so i've got a 24-70 2.8. and that is a non VR lens. so for that general rule, i should keep the shutter speed faster than or equal to 1/500th?

[FinlandApollo]

@nwarken No, remember one thing: Add to your focal length 1/*focal length*. So if you shoot with 24-70 and your focal length is 70mm, you need to have atleast or faster shutter speed of 1/70. And if you shoot at 24mm, its at least 1/24

[nwarken]

@FinlandApollo oh right! that makes a lot more sense. thank you so much!

[geoff538]

Hey Jared, What screen video capture software do you use? Also, have you done a video on your opinion about camera filters?

Thanks, Geoff

[JanErikEdvartsen]

... and at 06:36 the guy in the door is like "WTF is going on out here!?"

[abovedead]

so that's how you work out

:D

[JanErikEdvartsen]

00:24 - I hear that alot! :)

[JanErikEdvartsen]

Before he got it out of the bag, it looked like a coffee thermos lol

[wronkatonk]

Just bought the D5100 with a 35mm 1.8. Looking for a second lense and interested in wildlife and sports photography. I'm considering:

sigma 100-300 f4

sigma 70-200 f2.8

sigma 50-500 f4.5-6.3

nikkor 80-400 f4.5-5.6

Please help. I watch all your videos and I find them extremely helpful. Thanks Fro!

[PsykoOps]

@wronkatonk I'm no expert like fro but I'd go for 70-200 f2.8 and then get maybe 1.4x teleconverter or bigger for getting that extra range for outdoors :)

[ericp726]

How do you keep a straight face when giving your sniff test? Great videos by the way. My favorite channel on youtube.

[wertuiking]

canon always rule at telephoto range...

[FinlandApollo]

@wertuiking Naa, canon and nikon, the difference is so so so small...

[wertuiking]

@FinlandApollo haha...i wish i could not see the differences...

[Rooboo86]

Why you always sniff on the products? :D

[Shantanu8jo]

I would love more telephoto lens reviews from you like the good old 300mm f4 or canon 400mm f5.6

[DeerParkNewsWire]

I have been wanting to see this lens with the hood on. Do you have any pictures of that?

[karlbrummel]

I am testing this lens now for 1 month with some thousands of images and i am still very impressed in IQ and OS. Even with 2.0x TC sharp shots with 1/160 are possible, with the 1.4 TK you will not see any diffenence in IQ compared to those without TC.

Maybe fixed lenses like the 300/2.8 IS or VR are a bit sharper, the Sigma costs alot less and is more versatile.

Thanks for the Video.

I posted some images on my flickr (account Brummel2010) for those who are interested. Can't include link here

[JacobJT37]

Hey Jared could you do a video on the 50 - 150 #Sigma Apo EX DC

[dfdtdfdx]

used non OS version is $1700-2200 in Jpn

[ashkibala1]

Jared: DX means crop factor, NOT magnification factor. A 300mm lens on a DX sensor does NOT magnify but it crops. you lose a part of the photo, it does not magnify. if you take a photo of a toy with 300mm on a 1.5 crop sensor, it will have the same size with the lens on a FX sensor but the difference is that you will have more around the photo so it does NOT magnify but it LOOKS like it was taken with a 450mm lens. look at Crop Factor on Wikipedia. A DX sensor, CROPS, does NOT magnify. thanks

[OceanStudiio]

Jared, im looking at this one and det 70-200 2.8 (Nikon), ill be using it for sports and also some portraits. Witch one should i go with?

Thanks for making this awesome videos! Have a great day

[JaredPolin]

@OceanStudiio id still go with the 70-200

[MrFearfulAngel]

@JaredPolin Hey Jared, what do you think of sigma lenses i heard alote of bad/negative reviews on them specially on the 18-200mm OS which i had my eye on. Do you know anything abt this lens ? Any recomendations? (Bearing in mind that i am a begginer photographer).

Thx Jared

[martinaee]

HOLY SHIT at that headshot later in the video... At 1/100th that is crazy sharp for that range.

Looks to be a crazy awesome lens. Good Job Sigma. How is the build quality?

[martinaee]

120-300? That's quite an unusual range

[yujianzhi]

dream lens!

[mhassanraza]

jared could you please compare this with nikon's 300 f2.8 counterpart and at 200mm how does it compare with nikon's 70-200mm f2.8..thanks

[miggyback]

I find it very odd that you didn't test the lenses on a full frame body. Full frames are much better at differentiating lenses based on their quality as it shows flaws such as vignetting and corner softness, key factors when deciding to buy an f/2.8 such as this.

[Mrchrisphotography]

@devmich99 the focal length of the lens on a FX camera is 300mm and on DX the lens is 450mm because the 1.5 x crop factor on the D7000

[stanboy123]

How does it compare to the 70-200 2.8 vr2?

[liowyingzhuo]

which want is better.. nikon f2.8 70-200mm vr 2.. or sigma 120-300mm f2.8

[devmich99]

The focal length still is 300mm and not 450. Doesnt make sense to me.

[KemmersFilms]

very nice

[Mas7erChief117]

Nikon #FTW

[AFVC1]

Hey Jared I know you're into DSLR, but can you do a review on the Fuji X100? because I've been considering this camera over the D5100 any suggestions??

[Zaneathankid]

please review the sigma 50 1.4!

[groovypucks]

oh that would be an awesome lens for shooting concerts from the sound board.

[JQxSquared]

Can you please explain that shutter speed-iso-focal length rule ? Im a little perplexed on how to figure it out.

Thanks

[175myles]

This is my affordable dream lens. The 200-500 f/2.8 is my dream lens I will never have.

[savoneo]

"What a smell this one has"

^^ what she said.

[1986Chaitanya]

lens hood on this new lens is improved, also I dont understand why sigma went with a front filter mount with size of 105mm rather than having a smaller sized filters with rear mounting filters.

[dogtownboy47]

Hey Jared, what do you think about the newest sigma 70-200?

[dethmerc]

i think the tests would be best on dx sensors bc most people watching your videos are probably using dx sensor cameras, but it is always good to be diverse in your testings

[blackxthink]

Would this work on crop sensor?

[JHVH1]

That is one big bad mutha

[nerwin]

I see you have the battery grip for the D7000, its the Nikon version right? I'm thinking about getting one my self.

[bkushner4]

Sniffing in all that Japanese RADIATION!!!

[Mozo901]

Review the sigma 50-500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mozo901]

is that Justin Beiber advertising for nikon through the window?

[AlphaSphere]

First youtube video on the new OS version. Nice!

[xtos2001]

6:33 - Dude at door: "WTF?"

[Buzzgrower]

Hi Jared nice video, but im in the market for a ?-200 lens for my d3100. Have you got anny recomendation?

[xtos2001]

I like that you do funny things with the lenses, but not stupid shit to make everyone cringe.

[piperpilot26]

Fro doesn't know photo, Fro IS photo!!!

[kjjjkjjjkjjjk]

That's an expensive Thermos. lol

[estefgasty]

Hey Jared Does the new Sigma works the Nikon D5100? non focus motor inside...

[JaredPolin]

@estefgasty yes cause of the hsm

[harrybean2006]

Jared, have you seen any focusing issues with the D7000? I see lots of threads about this on the interwebs

[JaredPolin]

@harrybean2006 i had some issues with the 14-24 when shooting hori and wide in low light situations.

[sheshewantit45]

SNIFFING LENSES #FTW

[ithree6mafia]

sweet lens, cant wait to get some awesome landscapes out of it.

[MandrakeCigars]

You can also see some color fringing on the non-os version.

[MandrakeCigars]

These product reviews/comparisons has been your best stuff as of late. Thanks.

[thebarrettgod]

could u do the nikkor 70-300 :) would also like to say im in the final of the uk young wildlife photographer of the year 2011 :)

[pepomk123]

diesel or petrol? :)

[kav996]

Serious piece of equipment for 4.5 k.

Jared, is there any chance you could do a video talking about sigma lenses against Nikon lenses in general, because as you know you can save money with sigma but I never know if I'm sacrificing quality

[ramisphotography]

@kav996 depends usuallly on the lens but usually you do a brand goes with its designated brand

a canon camera will work better with a canon flash then with a sigma same for lenses etc. but sometimes there are some exceptions :P

[y2kboy23]

It would be nice to hear about Sigma lens in general. The quality of them and if you are actually gaining value for spending less for a similar lens.

[SPEEDZARTS]

jared, your high lol 

[litoazmitia]

Jared, do you think Sigma has better optics than Tamron?? Ive read the oposite in some places (flickr mainly) is this true?

[chopper82p]

@litoazmitia not sure about optics but tamron has a little more contrast

[carrilloduran]

Just look at the size! hahaha

[adpoucsd]

i've been wanting to hear about this lens for forever =D

[JaredPolin]

@adpoucsd check out the full res samples they are pretty telling about this lens. Esp hand held. 

[adpoucsd]

@JaredPolin just took a look at em, looks like i know what my next lens purchase is going to be ;D thanks for the great review!

[stubones]

@JaredPolin Hey Jared, the lock images being sharper with the new lens is probably more to do with improved optical performance than the OS. S/S of 1/1000th or 1/1250 with you braced and steady should not give shake blur. What do you think? Great review, thanks :)

[gammatnt]

huge