rachelsdad wrote:
I can't tell what is the difference between the "Sports" model and the current one.
Key addition is the much needed focus limiter The casing is new as well as redesigned hood,
the prior one being a plastic POS. There was never anything wrong with the optics, so they remain
unchanged. Electrical issues have been addressed and hopefully now (when zooming) AF will stay
locked. I'm in for one and might even consider giving the dock a try on my 35.

The sports model looks very good but I suspect the price will be over $2000.

The current version is $3k at B&H, so I suspect you're are probably right
MSRP $3599.


Sigmas msrp's are funny . And vary quite a bit

Eg. The current msrp in the US for the current 120-300 is $4700 ,

In the UK the msrp is £2499

Bh has it of $3k while its £2k from our biggest online photo seller (wex)
I dont know about the states but here if you shop around it can be found for £1500

The current one looks like the msrp's line up across the markets more. (Less in the us and more here).

I will say that its street retail needs to be nearer £2k than £3k .
I know its not a direct comparison but if your spending £3k on a 300/2.8 then you would be mad to overlook a good used L

Add in more rigorous QC for all lenses now.

That's what the USB dock is for. You can do your own QC.

With how flaky focus is on their lenses, they should be throwing one of those docks in with every lens.

In various reviews (of the previous 120-300) I've often read of the "weakness" being slow focus and tracking of "subjects moving towards and away from the camera". (Sports?) I've yet to read a review stating this is a great "sports" lens and would love to read some positive reviews from sports shooters using this lens. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thx.

Anyone know the expected price of the dock / software?

Not yet. It seems they are stilling deciding on one.

Anxiously awaiting the reviews for the 120-300. If the AF and tracking are solid I'm in. Potentially a very versatile zoom for both indoors and outdoors.

Sorry as I'm late to the party here: Is the Sigma zoom in the class of the Canon 300/2.8 at all? Just speaking about optical quality, not about AF and build.

John Caldwell

John Caldwell wrote:
Sorry as I'm late to the party here: Is the Sigma zoom in the class of the Canon 300/2.8 at all?

Of course it's not.
How could it be?

Then again, it doesn't mean that it's not a very good lens, because it is.
I own one, btw.

RCicala wrote:
Anyone know the expected price of the dock / software?

Last I heard was the software was free and the dock would cost about the same as a decent filter.

RCicala wrote:
Anyone know the expected price of the dock / software?

$9,999.00

goosemang wrote:
RCicala wrote:
Anyone know the expected price of the dock / software?

$9,999.00





The software is free according to the blurb from sigma.

The dock (when it was announced a while back) was supposed to be around the $100 mark.

I agree with the other comment that they (with the high ticket lenses) should include it with the lens. Or at least if you were to register 2 or more compliant lenses send you one free .

andyjh wrote:
In various reviews (of the previous 120-300) I've often read of the "weakness" being slow focus and tracking of "subjects moving towards and away from the camera". (Sports?) I've yet to read a review stating this is a great "sports" lens and would love to read some positive reviews from sports shooters using this lens. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thx.


I used the Nikon version of this lens for a few years and shot youth soccer with it. This was the first generation of this lens. It was only a hair less than the Nikon 300 I had and shot along side of. Both lenses would track fine and both would have the occasional miss probably around 80-90 percent depending on the light. The Nikon was a bit sharper overall but not by much. The Nikon had better contrast. I would assume this beer version should be better in all aspects.

Update:
They are now available for preorder::

Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM for $3,599 (March 16th delivery)

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM for $499 (January 31st delivery)

No official word on price and availability of the Sigma USB Dock.

Ouch! $3599 is more than what I was hoping

Obviously it's a lot of money, but to be honest, $3599 doesn't sound bad given that Canon's 300 is $7000 and the 200-400 f4 likely to be pushing $12K? With a 1.4x TC this zoom can do both.

It sucks but this is the reality of new lens releases. If Canon updates the 100-400 that will probably be pushing $3000+ as well.

$3600 isn't all that bad for the 120-300mm, considering what Canon expects us to shell out. I was looking at getting the 300 f/2.8 but killed that idea after the used market prices went crazy and the new mark II lens price went through the roof.

That's actually a better alternative, given it's 120-300mm with a constant f/2.8. I can live with that.

Guys don't forget this is SIGMA MSRP we're talking about . You would have to be insane to pay the pre order price. It will go down when its been in stock a couple of weeks.

And don't forget as pointed out before , the msrp of the current one is $4700 .

That said I doubt the new one will drop like a stone but I can see $2800 -$3k in the us and £2k - 2500 here in the uk .

The part that kills me is the fact that this $3000 lens will likely drop in value to $1500 (as a used lens) at a rate WAY faster than the new Canon $7000 lens will drop to $3500.

Yeah, that is a downside to getting the Sigma. The resale value will not be nearly as good as a Canon. The problem is Canon has shown no interest in designing a 2.8 zoom in that FL range so it is what it is and I'm not interested in the prime.