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 p.7 #16 · New release Sigma 300-600mm f/4 Full frame | |
I’ve been a Fred Miranda member since 2004. While I’ve regularly read the forums, I don’t believe I’ve ever posted before. That said, I’d like to share some of my findings on the new Sigma 300–600mm f/4 lens, in case they’re helpful to others who might be considering this impressive piece of glass.
I’m not usually someone who buys gear immediately after a lens is announced, but this one genuinely excited me. As someone who spends a lot of time in a photo blind, I can already tell this lens will be a tremendous asset to my work. I ordered the Sigma lens from B&H on Feb. 24th, and received it today—it’s a beautiful piece of equipment. The weight doesn’t bother me at all, and I can definitely see this lens being a valuable asset for a wildlife photographer. As a Nikon/Canon shooter, I’m currently using it on my Nikon Z9.
Here are some of my initial observations from an afternoon of testing:
1. Image Quality: To my eye, the lens is impressively sharp with excellent detail.
2. Frame Rate: On my Nikon Z9, I’m able to shoot at 20 fps in RAW, and even higher with JPEG.
3. Autofocus Performance: AF works well on static and slow-moving subjects. I tested it on my dog and some deer, and the eye detection locks on nicely. However, I did notice that the autofocus occasionally freezes after a distinct “clunk” sound. To restore functionality, I need to power the camera off and back on. I’m not yet sure if this is a lens issue or an adapter-related problem, but I plan to keep testing. I updated the Magadap adapter ETZ21 Pro firmware tonight and will see if that improves the issue.
4. Zoom & Focus: Contrary to some reports, the lens allows continuous focus while zooming, which is excellent for tracking action.
5. Image Stabilization: Unfortunately, image stabilization doesn’t seem to work—neither the Nikon in-body stabilization nor the lens’s own system appears to engage. I confirmed this by comparing it side-by-side with my other Nikon lenses, including the 600mm f/4 TC.
6. Custom Functions: Most of the lens’s custom functions don’t work on Nikon, except for the four front focus lock buttons (which default to Nikon’s L-Fn1). This is disappointing, given how many useful features the lens offers.
7. Teleconverter Compatibility: The lens works very well with the Sony 1.4x TC, producing surprisingly sharp images. However, it fails to record correct metadata, such as focal length and aperture, when used with the TC.
8. Manual Focus: Unlike Nikon lenses, you can’t override autofocus by simply turning the focus ring. To use manual focus, you must switch the lens to MF mode. This is a bit of a drawback, as I often like to fine-tune focus manually while remaining in AF mode.
Tomorrow, I plan to take the lens to a local wetland to test it on birds and other wildlife. I expect it to perform well in most situations, though it may struggle with fast-moving subjects. In a preliminary test, I photographed my dog running straight toward me at full speed and found that only about half of the shots were keepers. This may be due to the lens being used with an adapter, which could affect autofocus performance.
I’m also planning to borrow a friend’s Sony A1 II to see how the lens performs natively on a Sony body. I’m confident it will shine there—though of course, limited to 15 fps and lacking compatibility with the 1.4x TC on that body.
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