Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

  

Archive 2013 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mar...

  
 
dkmiles1
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I shoot a lot of families, portraits and weddings. I love the look of portraits at 200mm and 300mm, from everything I've read, it seems to me that the Canon's are sharper at both focal lengths than the Sigma, but the Sigma has the whole versatility thing going for it, and oh, it's several thousand less... And for the most part it's "sharp enough" at both 200mm and 300mm (from the sample photos I've seen...)

Wondering if anyone has had experiences with these lenses and curious to get your feedback about them...

I'd like to pull the trigger on one of these and am leaning toward the Sigma... Talk me into or out of it...



Dec 13, 2013 at 10:21 PM
jcolwell
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


dkmiles1 wrote:
... Talk me into or out of it...


Do whatever you want to do.

Me, I like the EF 200/1.8L.



Dec 13, 2013 at 10:26 PM
big country
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


and the sigma weighs a ton.

but get it and show us what you can do...



Dec 13, 2013 at 10:30 PM
arbitrage
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


Have a real good look at the weight of that Sigma before you buy it.....For portraits I'd go with the 200 and it may be worth considering the 1.8 if you can find a good used copy but the 2.0 should be fine also.


Dec 13, 2013 at 10:30 PM
jvphotos
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


If I had $6000~ burning a hole in my pocket and just waiting on a lens, I'm not sure how I would stop myself from buying the 200f2 IS.


As for your situation... I feel like if you're doing a lot of weddings and portraits you'll probably make a lot better use of the 200 focal length than the 300, the f2 will serve you better than f2.8 in a dark church/reception hall, and you can always get an extender to get more length if 200 isn't long enough (yeah, 200+extender will hurt IQ a little, but it will still make insanely good images).

just my .02



Dec 13, 2013 at 10:43 PM
dkmiles1
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


Thanks for the tips - I don't have $6,000 burning a hole in my pocket - why I said USED - 200 or 300mm Canon - can't afford new Canons - trying to keep it around $4,000 or less... Which puts me in new sigma territory and used 300mm IS mark I - territory, I could stretch to $4,500 for a used 200mm f/2 - if only I could find one now... Seen them priced at $4,500 before, can't find one now... :-(


Dec 13, 2013 at 10:52 PM
dkmiles1
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


Did the 200mm f/1.8 ever come in an IS version? Who can service that lens today?


Dec 13, 2013 at 11:01 PM
gocolts
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I think the question is- what do you value more- 200mm @ f/2, or a zoom that can get to 300mm @ f/2.8?

Based on the kind of work you do, I'd probably go with a used 200mm f/2 IS. Not only would it be an insane portrait lens, but with a 1.4TC it'd be a very solid f/2.8 lens, and many have even reported good luck via utilization of a 2XTC.

I had the Sigma, and yes, it is heavy. One of the reasons I sold it was because I preferred my 70-200 2.8 MKII for when I need the option to zoom. If you have a 70-200 MKII, I'd consider the 200mm f/2. If you don't then the 120-300 OS might make sense for you.



Dec 13, 2013 at 11:09 PM
Lasse Eriksson
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I would love to have those 3 lenses. But not for families, portraits and weddings How much do you use 300mm for portraits and weddings?


Dec 13, 2013 at 11:19 PM
jvphotos
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


dkmiles1 wrote:
Thanks for the tips - I don't have $6,000 burning a hole in my pocket - why I said USED - 200 or 300mm Canon - can't afford new Canons - trying to keep it around $4,000 or less... Which puts me in new sigma territory and used 300mm IS mark I - territory, I could stretch to $4,500 for a used 200mm f/2 - if only I could find one now... Seen them priced at $4,500 before, can't find one now... :-(




Ooops. Well, $4000 still only changes my answer from new 200 f2 is to used/refurbished 200 f2 is



Dec 14, 2013 at 12:06 AM
Tom Dix
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I believe the 200 focal length would be better for the work you do. The 1.8 has slightly better IQ, IMHO, however is a bit heavier and no longer serviced by canon. The 2 has wonderful IQ, better balance and excellent IS. Both are excellent lenses.


Dec 14, 2013 at 12:20 AM
onegreatcity
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I own the previous version Sigma 120-300 OS and love it, however, given it's size and weight, can't imagine using it for portrait sessions or weddings.


Dec 14, 2013 at 02:34 PM
dkmiles1
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


onegreatcity wrote:
I own the previous version Sigma 120-300 OS and love it, however, given it's size and weight, can't imagine using it for portrait sessions or weddings.



Yeah, I'll be needing to hit the gym a bit more as I opted for the new Sigma - pulled the trigger last night - if it isn't as sharp or if the handling is as unbearable as reported then I'll return it and try something else - like the 200 f/2...

Thanks Guys - I'll report my findings later...



Dec 14, 2013 at 05:01 PM
form
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


It's not always just about sharpness, but about focus and...oof areas.


Dec 14, 2013 at 06:24 PM
John Caldwell
Online
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


It would surprise me if you found those two lenses similar, meaning the Sigma 120-300 and the Canon 200/2. Being honest, renting the Sigma and the Dock pushed me to just go ahead and buy the Canon 100-400 and live with the Canon zoom's limitations. My subsequent rental of the Canon 200-400 allowed me to further appreciate the 100-400 for what it is, and for what little it cost.

Just my experience, and not to detract from anyone's enjoyment of their gear, whatever it may be.

John Caldwell



Dec 14, 2013 at 08:13 PM
big country
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


I posted earlier but now I have a moment to post more. The sigma 120-300mm is a lens that I have this affair w. I keep looking at it and have even rented it. The weight of it seems unreal for what it is. And that is a factor as to why I do not buy it. Also the price. In my head the most I am paying for it $2800. So far no retailer is willing to do that. Another thing is sigma itself. I don't want to deal w docks and adjustments, I just want it to work right out of the box. But unfortunately sigma does not have the best reputation for quality conrrol.

The 200 f2 I have owned. Loved it. Used it at weddings, engagement shoots, portraits, etc. amazing lens and I stil go back and forth about buying it just in case I need it for something. Why did I sell it? The 70-200 is ii. The lens made a few in my bag become dust collectors.

The 300 2.8 is. What a great lens, I've ones so many version 1s and am on my 2nd version ii. This lens can Go from weddings and engagements to wildlife and birds. Do I need this lens? No but I do enjoy having it. At its 300mm focal length and 2.8 aperture it can be a jack of all trades.

So personally if I had to pick one the 300 is what I'd get.



Dec 15, 2013 at 09:23 AM
Pixel Perfect
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · New Sigma 120-300 S, used Canon 200 f/2 or used Canon Ef 300mm f/2.8 Mark i??


Just get the 70-200 f/2.8L IS mk II, and use the $3-4K saved for either another lens, other gear or a freakin nice holiday.


Dec 15, 2013 at 05:54 PM





FM Forums | Canon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.