I owned the first two versions of the EX 120-300/2.8; v0 (no OS), v1 (the first with OS). I also owned Canon 300/2.8L IS before, in between, and after the Sigmas (as I mentioned, it's a long story). I can't say that I ever noticed any significant difference in colour, but if there was, it certainly didn't bother me.
The EF 300/2.8L IS has slightly faster AF and slightly sharper optics, but the Simga is a very fine lens, nonetheless. I posted example images last year, with and without Extenders.
The new version is just a little smaller in diameter and a pinch longer. With the optics being the same and the likelihood of the motors being beefed up, I'd speculate that the weight of the new model is very close to the current model.
Lens Construction 23 Elements in 18 Groups
Angle of View (for SD1) 20.4 -8.2 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades (Rounded diaphragm)
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 150-250cm / 59.1-98.4in.
Maximum Magnification 1:8.1 (f=200mm)
Filter Size Diameter 105mm
Dimensions Diameter 121.4 mm x Length 291 mm / 4.8in. x 11.5in.
Weight 3,390g / 119.6oz.
corndog wrote:
Tempting, but a bit disappointed to hear nothing about optics. If they tightened up QC a bit so that the vast majority were the same as their good copies, that would be fantastic. Still, they seem to have warm colors that I'm not really a fan of. I hope we see good reviews, we need lenses like this to show Canon how it's done.
I got to shoot a few images with the new Sigma back in March on my 5D3. I shot the same model with my 70-200 ii and then with the Sigma, Canon at f/3.2 and Sigma at f/2.8. Just pixel peeping right now and there is no apparent difference to my eye in sharpness or colour. If I had to say one was a touch sharper, I'd go with the Sigma. Once it drops to below used 300 2.8 prices it should be well worth buying. It feels superb in the hand, the paint job is good. Overall it feels every inch a premium lens.
Excellent. I assume they let you bring a card and you're not just referring to viewing on the LCD, in which case, you should post some full size samples for us.
corndog wrote:
Excellent. I assume they let you bring a card and you're not just referring to viewing on the LCD, in which case, you should post some full size samples for us.
All I did was take my 70-200 off and put the 120-300 on the camera. A condition of being allowed to do it was not to share the images so you'll have to take my word for it I was surprised the Sigma reps let me do it, because the Canon rep was having none of it when I tried the same trick with the 200-400L
