Sigma 70 - 200 f2.8 or Sigma 100 - 300 f4?

King_Boru

King_Boru

King_Boru

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Will be replacing a Sigma 300 f2.8 Prime for a zoom. Finding the loss of a zoom capability quite irritating. Have narrowed it down to the above. Will be using it primariliy for aviation and sports photography. Can get both for the same price which is great. Just wanted to know what you guys thought. Worried that 200mm is too short and the 100mm low end is too far to start with. Has anybody had any experience with them? Dont want to use a tele converter as the loss of quality is a no no. They will be for Nikon mount.

King.
 
I assume you cant stretch to the 120-300 2.8? From HK, I got mine for £1150 all in.

My opinion (not from experience I might add) would indicate that the 70-200 plus tc will give you more flexibility. However, my 120-300 with a tc doesnt focus as well (for motorsport) as not having the TC. I would also add that everything I hear about the 100-300 is very positive. It's basically a handholdable 'baby' version of my lens.

I'm afraid its a tough choice.
 
Joe T said:
I would also add that everything I hear about the 100-300 is very positive. It's basically a handholdable 'baby' version of my lens.

I'm afraid its a tough choice.
Click to expand...

Indeed it is,... driving me mad. The 120 - 300mm f2.8 is out of reach, unfortunately. How do you find the zoom range on that? DO you ever worry that 120mm is too far out to start with?

Another worry is that when shooting events like the marathon, cycling, BMX the 100 - 300mm will be too big where the 70mm of the other will be perrfect,... Going nutty over here,...

King.
 
Yes, the 120mm is sometimes too far out. But usually in these cases 70mm might not be enough either. TBH often I use it with the 1.4tc, which gives 168mm. Now, that I find is too close. 120mm is generally ok for what I use it for. Generally the zoom range is excellent imo.
 
Oh man, I have tried to pick one all day. I am starting to lean towards the 70 - 200 f2.8 as it will be a lot faster and equates to a 105 - 300mm using the crop factor of the DSLR. Only downside is the weight really. Slightly worried that 200mm will be too short for airshows as well. Has anyone here used a 200mm for shooting airshows? How did you get on?

Will be purchasing tomorrow morning to get it tuesday... hopefully make the right choice.

King
 
Never used it for airshows but I love my 70-200 F2.8, easily the most used lens in the bag. Here's a couple from yesterday.

ML1W1432.jpg


ML1W1716.jpg


ML1W1800.jpg
 
Very sharp indeed, personally I do believe 70 - 200 is more workable focal range.... mmmmmmm,.... thinks even harder.

Thanks for those dod. Much appreciated. I take it they were with the Sigma model ;).

King.
 
Also another vote for Sigma 70-200. It is lot more flexible and the x1.4 TC works very well with not much quality loss.

here is pic with the 1.4TC handheld shot. little level/color/unsharp.
dsc6360fg4.jpg


I would say it was my most used lens when I had my D70, sadly sold now.
 
I can definitly vouch for the 100-300f4 in terms of build and image quality, on occasion I have wished I had that extra stop and a bit that the 70-200f2.8 would give but I dont go to airshows or do sporting events so it wasnt too difficult a decision for me - I'm very happy with my choice.
 
The 100-300 f4 can definately do airshows:

060701Tuccano1web.jpg


The problem is each lens is a compromise so i'd look at where most of your shots are. If you'd take a lot in the 70-100 range then the 70-200 with a teleconverter to get closer to 300 when needed is the ideal solution. If you think you'll rarely shoot that wide and would use the teleconverter most of the time on that combination, then the 100-300 is probably the better bet.

Just out of interest what body do you have? and is your aviation shooting the airshow kind or the sneeking around Welsh hillsides kind?, as this could affect the choice.

If only you could afford to keep your 300 then with a 70-200 you'd have the perfect combination :D
 
Will mainly be shooting airshows and rugby/football events so 300mm would be ideal. I think I will be getting the 100 - 300 f4. I will be shooting with a D50 so upping the ISO to 800 to compensate for the loss of stops is an option. Reading all the reviews and viewing the test images and test results shows that this lens can perform. Will keep the Sigma 70 - 300 in the bag just in case I need the lower end of the zoom range one day.

King.

PS: Thanks to everyone for contributing/providing test samples. Much appreicated.
 
I have a 70-200 but the Canon version. You can't really go wrong with the focal range of these kind of lenses but for distance work especially things on a track...you need longer. Everytime I go to a track now I always wish I had 100, 200, 300mm more on my lens.

One day!
 
I am really looking forward to tomorrow. Can't wait to test this out. I will post some sample shots after the Duxford airshow for you all to see.

King.
 
King_Boru said:
I am really looking forward to tomorrow. Can't wait to test this out. I will post some sample shots after the Duxford airshow for you all to see.

King.
Click to expand...

Cool, that'll be two of us there using that lens then, lets hope it doesnt rain!
 
It arrived this morning, first impressions are that the build quality is outstanding. Can't wait to get this thing into the field. Feeling a walk coming on tonight,... Another thing is that it fits into my Lowepro Mini Trekker 200 perfectly! A real nice snug fit as well. Oooooo, so excited.

Will get a review posted over the weekend,...

King.
 
Why wouldn't the Sigma 100-300 F4 be any good for airshows? :)

King_Boru said:
It arrived this morning, first impressions are that the build quality is outstanding. Can't wait to get this thing into the field. Feeling a walk coming on tonight,... Another thing is that it fits into my Lowepro Mini Trekker 200 perfectly!
Click to expand...


Hope you enjoy it and look forward to some pics, did you bother with a converter?

Taken from Fred Miranda :

Recommended By
94% of reviewers
Build Quality Rating 9.62
Price Rating 9.39
Overall Rating 9.5



Excellent reviews here!
 
Last edited:
Its a bit late now as you have just bought one but im more than happy with my Sigma 70-200. 200mm is not restrictive for a track like Brands and a friend who has the Canon 100-400 misses the 70mm "wideness".

Here is a shot straight from the camera just resized.


 
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