Sigma Long Zooms - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/25/2008 07:30:50 PM · #1

Hi Folks,

I mistakenly posted this inh a more general forum. It belongs here. My old post had 75 views but no replies. ::shrug::

Anyway - I am considering a long zoom for my D40. Currently have the Nikkor 18-55 VR, Nikkor 55-200 VR and the Nikkor 50mm 1.8D.

Been looking at these two Sigmas:

Sigma APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM

I like the fact they can autofocus on my D40 and that they have built-in stabilisation.

I am asking a couple of things:

1) Do any folk have personal experience with either or both of these? I am not much interested in sports photography but am very interested in wildlife photography. Reviews are few and far between. They cost enough to make me cautious.

2) Anyone have any idea how the focal lengths equate to the DX format? That is, if the 120-400 is equated to FX format, then it would actually be about a 180-600mm on the DX. And the 150-500 would be about 225-760mm on the DX. If these focal lengths are geared to the DX format then it would actually be a 120-400 and a 150-500, meaning only the 150-500 would make sense for me. And yeah, i checked the Sigma site but they are shockingly non-specific with a lot of their specs.

Any help appreciated. And a Merry Christmas to you all, no matter HOW un-politically-correct wishing people a Merry Christmas is. ::danged Scrooges::

Michael

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 19:32:22.

jjstager2

Nikon D700

12/25/2008 08:14:06 PM · #2

Michael,

I don't have either of the lenses you are looking at, but I do have the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon. It's a great lens.

Sigma makes a great product without the high cost of a Nikon label.

Here are two shots taken with my D80:

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/25/2008 08:26:25 PM · #3

Thanks jjstager. Beautiful photographs as well. A really - how to put it - fluid yet sharp quality to them.

Since you are shooting the D300 (I assume DX format?) let me ask you - is the 120-300 Sigma focal length geared to DX? In other words, on your DX format, is it true 120-300 or is it about 180-300?

This has a lot to do with what I decide on. And I really do thank you for the info!

soup

Canon EOS-30D

12/25/2008 09:02:19 PM · #4

on cropped sensor camera. the 1.5x crop applies to both the short and long end of the zoom.

on a full frame sensor the lens rating is true to the lable.

or i might be wrong once again ;)

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 21:04:52.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

12/25/2008 09:18:14 PM · #5

The sigma 120-300 F2.8 is not a Digital camera only lens. Its a true 120-300MM lens. And will appear that way on a Full frame camera. On a crop camera you have to mulitply by your crop factor. I had the lens and loved it. But sold it to get a 300 F2.8 Canon.

Matt

jjstager2

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/25/2008 09:22:00 PM · #6

Michael,

I can't remember the answer on the focal length. I spent a lot of time checking out lenses before buying this one and I depended heavily on the advice of the salesman, Eugene, at the camera store, Competitive Cameras, in Dallas. He advised me on the the purchase of this lens and I haven't been disappointed. Eugene is a true professional - if you were to call him I am sure he could answer your question regarding focal length.

Another DPC'er who has this lens and has taken some great shots is

Drake. I contacted him prior to buying mine and he was quite helpful.

Good luck.

12/25/2008 09:51:36 PM · #7

Soup - what is the purpose of your reponse? I quote:

"~~on cropped sensor camera. the 1.5x crop applies to both the short and long end of the zoom.~~

~~on a full frame sensor the lens rating is true to the lable.~~

or i might be wrong once again ;) "

I KNOW a "cropped sensor" camera will have an FL differing from a full frame 35 - (and your 1.5 is not accurate to all cropped sensors).

And I KNOW on a full frame sensor the lens rating is a true rating.

That is the crux of my freaking question. Do you have a freaking ANSWER or just more sarcasm?

I have been photogrpaghing for many decades (decade = 10 years) and have used many formats. I have used 35mm (Argus C-3, Minolta SRT-101, Pentax K-1000, 2 1/4 format Mamiya C3, C33, C330 with 55, 65, 80, 105, 135 and 180 and various finders and screens, Mamiya RB645 with various lenses/finders, 4x5 with Calumet vuiew camera, 6x9 with a 2 1.4 x 3 14 Speed Graphic - err - you DO know what "sheet film is, eh?). And for both color and b&w I developed and enlarged my own stuff using a Besseler 4x5 enlarger and Componoin lenses (do you know Componon?) And I KNOW what a cropped sensor is.

But it seems you are one of those who like to dig. I did not pay the fee here to be subject to crap like this.

If you have an answer regarding the fl question on fx vs dx please let me know.

Otherwise leave your crap to yourself.

Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Message edited by author 2008-12-25 21:52:51.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/25/2008 10:03:23 PM · #8

Originally posted by jjstager2:

Thanks very much JJ. I shall endeavor to ask Drake. I have looked at some of the shots he took with this lens and I they are impressive.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

12/26/2008 01:12:48 AM · #9

maybe if you had gotten your question right - you'd be able to answer it yourself...

Originally posted by Canopic:

Since you are shooting the D300 (I assume DX format?) let me ask you - is the 120-300 Sigma focal length geared to DX? In other words, on your DX format, is it true 120-300 or is it about 180-300?

~~BTW - the strike out on the text was me retracting my response because i wasn't certain i was correct. thanks for being an ass, and good luck in your future decades of being one as well.~~

Message edited by author 2008-12-26 20:51:22.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

12/26/2008 04:06:43 AM · #10

Originally posted by Canopic:

I KNOW a "cropped sensor" camera will have an FL differing from a full frame 35 - (and your 1.5 is not accurate to all cropped sensors).

And I KNOW on a full frame sensor the lens rating is a true rating.

No, that's just wrong.

Once again, the focal length (or FL as you put it) of the lens is independent of the sensor/camera attached to it. FX, DX APS-C, APS-H, 6x7cm or whatever film or sensor size is irrelevant to the focal length.

What does change is the field of view.

Since you've been at this for decades, you should know better, unless you haven't been paying attention all that time.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

12/26/2008 02:47:57 PM · #11

OK - first my apologies to soup. I should not post on hydrocodone (nothing major - just dental). I suppose I could edit it out or something but I will leave it and take the heat for being a drugged up jerk!

I do understand the focal length of a lens is fixed. And the field of view is what is relevant. Why an 80mm is "normal" on 6x6, for example but mild telephoto on 35mm and wide angle in 4x5 (if it has that coverage). So yes, I actually was thinking in terms of FOV but trying to express that FOV in FL equiv. Heck, on a friends E-Volt 520, the Zuiko 40-150mm lens actually has imprinted on it "80-300mm equiv". So basically I was trying to determine what I would be seeing through the viewfinder and equating FLs seemed to be the easiest way to visualize it. I suppose if I had made mention of 35mm full frame as a reference point for all of this it would have made more sense.

Anyway, I will be getting the 150-500mm - the FOV equates to about 225-700. (I know! I know! :D The object itself is not going to magically get "larger" - just less of the overall image would be there than, say, on a full frame 35.) In any case it will be a nice match to my 18-55 and 55-200.

So, again my apologies for flying off like that.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

12/26/2008 08:31:28 PM · #12

i appreciate that - and happy holidays.

enjoy the new gear !