This 2.5x zoom lens features a constant
f/2.8 maximum aperture, the process of silent focusing and optical image
stabilization. It falls into Sigma’s 'Sports' lens series and is particularly
interesting since the zoom range is similar to that of a 70-200mm lens with a
1.4x tele-converter equipped, while still maintaining a fairly rapid f/2.8
maximum aperture in the zoom scope. It fits with the Canon, Nikon and Sigma
cameras and is priced about $5,400.
Sigma
120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM S lens
Features and processing
This lens certainly isn’t lightweight; it
is over three kilograms when putting it on the scale. However, this lens is
quite easy to keep on hand for a short time and it balances well with the Canon
EOS 5D MKIII used for the testing process. The lens is polished with matte
black and has an anti-shock design.
This
lens certainly isn’t lightweight
The HSM motor supplies the focusing
mechanism silently with the power and the autofocus process is extremely fast
and accurate if considering it in the time aspect. Adjusting the focus manually
can be applied at any time by turning the focus ring, which is able to reduce
the vibration well making manual adjusting process become great when applied.
Focusing
varies depending on the zoom setting between 150cm and 250cm.
Focusing varies depending on the zoom
setting between 150cm and 250cm. This can cause problems if the recomposing
process uses the zoom next to the closest focus stop. The focusing process
takes place inside and 105mm filters can be equipped, although the additional
cost of the filters in these sizes might prevent a lot of people from investing
in them.
With optical stabilization activated, and
to be careful when shooting, the sharp manually shooting pictures are likely to
lie around half the time at low shutter speeds of 1/20 sec. However, this can
vary fiercely from person to person due to the size and weight of the lens.
Performance
At 120mm, the sharpness in the center of
the frame reaches the great levels of maximum aperture. Obviously towards the
edges of the frame are a little worse at this setting, this reduced level
remains the good clarity. Lowering the aperture down between f/5.6 and f / 8
gives the results of excellent sharpness across the frame in this focal length.
Zooming to 180mm affects the sharpness
results across the frame a little at maximum aperture, with that the clarity at
the center reaches great, while quite good levels of clarity are obtained to
the edges of the frame. Lowering the aperture to between f/4 and f/8 is to create
great sharpness across the frame at this focal length.
Finally, at 300mm, the overall sharpness
drops down, but the lens still can be used at all apertures. At f/2.8 the
sharpness is very good across the frame. With the aperture stopped down between
f/4 and f/8 sharpness is over great across the whole frame.
Rating
image chromatic aberrations
How
to read our graphs
The blue column stands for the indexes from
the center of the frame at the various apertures and the green is from the
edges. Averaging them, we will have the red weighted column.
The conventional column on the left side is
to show the resolution level of the actual image. The higher the column is, the
better the quality of the camera lens is.
In this article, the lens was tested on a
Canon EOS 5D MKIII using Imatest
Chromatic aberrations are well controlled
throughout the zoom range, peaking towards the edges of the frame at 25mm and
maximum aperture. Here, the coloring includes 0.7 pixels, which can be seen
along high contrast edges if the image is printed in large sizes, or cut out
taken from the edges of the frame.
Rating
the image sharpness
How
to read our graphs
High chromatic aberration given the
remarkable range or create a halo effect around sharp edges around the image.
It can be handled by the software. High chromatic aberration offers a
remarkable range or a halo effect around sharp edges around the image. It can
be handled thanks to the software.
Apochromatic lenses have special lens
elements (aspheric, ultra-low dispersion, etc.) to minimize the problem, so
their prices are often much higher.
In this article, the lens was tested on a
Canon EOS 5D MKIII using Imatest.
As you might expect from a telephoto lens
with a fast aperture, falloff towards the corners edges can be detected quite
easily. Even with that the corners are at 1.3 stops darker than the image
center at 120mm and 1.8 stops darker at 300mm, this level is pretty low for a
lens of this type, and the visually unified lighting process is really obtained
with the aperture stopped down to f/5.6 throughout the zoom range.
Distortion is very slight at both ends of
the zoom range; it will be hard to detect with the naked eye; Imatest tried to
discover only 0.0225% barrel distortion at 120mm and 0.959% pillow distortion
at 300mm. These low levels of distortion should rarely need to be adjusted, but
if they repeat then they should be adjusted a little, as the distortion pattern
is consistent across the frame.
A hood that is provided with the lens does
its job perfectly is to shade the lens from extraneous light that might cause
the reduction of sharpness or the glare. The contrast is quite good, even when
shooting in the bright sunlight.
Test images
The
sample images come from the product.
Value
Although there is no other lens that can be
compared directly with the optical lenses from Sigma, even when it is compared
directly with 300mm f/2.8 lens, it still represents sustainable value for
money. For instance, the price of the Canon f/2.8 300mm lens is at about
$7,500, and the price of Nikon is about $6,000. Although both lenses have
higher optical performance, but neither of them has the convenience of the zoom
and the Sigma lens is a reasonable choice for less expensive pocket-books.
Those who keep an eye for a bargain will
find that the previous version of this lens can still be selected from the
retailers for around $2,700. The old versions are almost identical to the
latest versions, except that it does not stand out with the latest updated
exterior design.
Conclusion
Although the performance of this lens is
not an absolutely excellent model that is similar to fixed super-telephoto
lenses of Nikon and Canon; it does not necessarily lag behind all. Add to the
flexibility created by the zoom and it would still be a very attractive
alternative to the fast super-telephoto lens of the camera manufacturers.
Pros
·
The sharpness is good.
·
CA is low.
·
The design is amazing.
·
Optical Stabilization
·
The focusing process is quick.
·
Very good value for money
Cons
·
The focusing distance is close and variable.
Sigma
120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM S Specifications
|
General
·
Lens Mounts: Nikon F; Canon EF; Sigma SA
Lens
·
Focal Length: 120mm - 300mm
·
Angle of View: 8.2° - 20.4°
·
Max Aperture: f/2.8
·
Min Aperture: f/22
·
Filter Size: 105mm
·
35mm equivalent: No Data
·
Internal focusing: Yes
Focusing
·
Min Focus: 150cm
·
Stabilized: Yes
Construction
·
Blades: 9
·
Elements: 23
·
Groups: 18
Box Contents
·
Box Contents: No Data
Dimensions
·
Weight: 3,390g
·
Height: 291mm
|
