New Sigma Lenses...Excited?

[Steve U]

Sigma is taking a new approach to marketing and they say, in their quality control. This new model 120-300mm is weathersealed and may be a half priced alternative to the Canon 300/2.8, for those in the market for that sort of lens.
The Siggy 85/1.4 is a very good lens and I would expect the new Sigma35/1.4 to give the current Canon 35/1.4 a very good run for its money as well. They will always beat them on price.

[HDNitehawk]

This new model 120-300mm is weathersealed and may be a half priced alternative to the Canon 300/2.8, for those in the market for that sort of lens.

Other than being able to shoot at 300mm at f/2.8, it will be a tall order for the 120-300mm to compete in IQ. The 300mm f/2.8 I and II version are both in a league of their own. The 70-200mm F/2.8L II doesn't even compete in this league.

[Dr Croubie]

Other than being able to shoot at 300mm at f/2.8, it will be a tall order for the 120-300mm to compete in IQ. The 300mm f/2.8 I and II version are both in a league of their own. The 70-200mm F/2.8L II doesn't even compete in this league.

Definitely the L IS and L IS II will both be better than the Siggy Zoom.

But they'll also be what? 2x, 3x, 5x the price? If you need the best, of course you're going to choose L. But if you need the best for what you can afford, I don't see the L being 2-5x better. That's where companies like Sigma operate, not the best, but the cheapest past the point of 'good enough'.

[clemmb]

This new model 120-300mm is weathersealed and

I was at a photo shoot this weekend that was sponsored by sigma. I asked the Sigma rep if the 70-200 f2.8 was weather sealed. He said none of the Sigma lenses were weather sealed. I looked the 120-300 up in their catalog and it does not say anything about weather sealing.
Did you see this mentioned somewhere?

[Dr Croubie]

I was at a photo shoot this weekend that was sponsored by sigma. I asked the Sigma rep if the 70-200 f2.8 was weather sealed. He said none of the Sigma lenses were weather sealed. I looked the 120-300 up in their catalog and it does not say anything about weather sealing.
Did you see this mentioned somewhere?

"This lens, like the other Sports category lenses to come, is dust and moisture resistant, and allows users to adjust the focus speed and the focus limiter via a button on the lens."
says: Photorumors

But no, can't find it on Sigma's website though...

[Steve U]

I was at a photo shoot this weekend that was sponsored by sigma. I asked the Sigma rep if the 70-200 f2.8 was weather sealed. He said none of the Sigma lenses were weather sealed. I looked the 120-300 up in their catalog and it does not say anything about weather sealing.
Did you see this mentioned somewhere?

As mentioned by the Doc, I am talking about the newly announced as yet unreleased lenses. The old 120-300 was released in February last year they have updated to the one below, it was only announced on Tuesday and has not been released yet. Dust and moisture resistant probably isn't as good as weather sealed, but it is a lot better than what they had and in reality would probably be good enough for most shooters. I think this new version will be a serious competitor with the Canon 300/2.8, definitely winning on price and versatility and probably going very close with IQ. Big call, but we'll wait and see.




35mm F1.4 DG HSM – This Art lens provides photographers with a state-of-the-art alternative to the more conventional 50mm. This lens’ axial chromatic aberration is minimized, which renders a cool and smooth out-of-focus image. At low apertures, it can perform like a wide-angle lens; when opened up to F1.4, it will provide background bokeh and make the subject pop like a mid-range telephoto lens. 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM – With redesigned mechanics and performance, this Sports lens is an update from its predecessor released in February 2011. This high-performance lens eases difficult shooting conditions by offering a maximum focal length of 300mm and a wide-open aperture of F2.8. This lens, like the other Sports category lenses to come, is dust and moisture resistant, and allows users to adjust the focus speed and the focus limiter via a button on the lens.

Worth considering if you want to save close to $4000 and that 35/1.4 looks pretty sweet as well.