They were looking for a fast lens for weddings (churches are just dim) with good sharpness and Portraits (Bokeh ...), a fast AF, however, is also useful for wedding reportages. Unfortunately, the reviews here on Amazon rather mixed nature, in Austria, there are at Sigma no "Rent", so the test will now go before spring in the hot phase.
State of play so far:
Pro:
- The sharpness is excellent, sharpness drop towards the edge is very limited. Lt. Test reports is the focus not on the same level as in 300 L of Canon, but the lens is also a push and no fixed focal length.
- The CAs are holding back discreetly. But I have to admit, a really nasty test image for CAs was in my tests so far not present.
- 120-300 at 2.8. Do you have to to say something?
Neutral:
- The feel of the thing is awesome, but thanks to the metal parts also at the expense of weight. My brother in law, an absolute Canon fanboy, has taken the thing in his hand and was thrilled.
- The lens is supplied with a soft bag for transport and a ribbon for hanging. However, the rubber coating on the band reminds me fatal to one of my old camera bags, which has started use after a year to resolve.
Cons:
- The weight is used to. After "list" weighs the lens 500g less than the 400 L of Canon, "felt" but the Sigma considerably heavier. Perhaps one does not expect such a "brick" in his hand, because it comes a lot slimmer. Nota bene: The Sigma is a whole kilo heavier than the Biomimetic 300 from Canon.
- Why must swap only the arrangement of the zoom and focus towards Canon Sigma? Probably one has to just get used to it, but I cross currently still automatically focus ring instead to zoom. Especially when the Geli wrong pushed onto the lens ... Sooooo big drawback for me.
A few more words on the subject with auto focus and the last bit of sharpness:
On the subject of the Sigma AF lens. I have the part "tuned" to the dock that a program waits for the AF, the other dissolves faster. However, at the 1DX is also so that the camera for focusing area (AI) makes their own thoughts and as the previously targeted face can be in favor of the shirt left. The shirt was really sharp in the photo. For such things the lens can definitely nix. An AF motor should be so fast that the "action" is already over when it has focused on the level (eg, a major problem with the 100-400 L of Canon). The AF of the Sigma is my opinion quickly enough. The reviews with AF problems one has with respect to the camera Bodies carefully read (Canon lens on the 1DX, Sigma at the 5-er? Apples and pears ??). In addition, in terms of a review because with the few stars: How was the AF on the camera "fine-tuned"? Since there are also many in the camera menu items ...
And the last bit of sharpness: When the test patterns eg digital picture the 300-prime lens is a piece to look at Canon, of course, better than the Sigma lens. BUT: First, the Sigma is a zoom lens with seven more in the camera, that makes things with the edge once more difficult. Secondly - the Canon costs "with no" push nearly double from Sigma.
We now take the price along with the zoom range and maximum aperture, nor take the focus to good, you have to deduct the weight and gets - a strong buy recommendation!
Addendum:
Yesterday I was with the lens at the Handball - Bundesliga Playoff. Certainly it was not a slow game. The combination lens / camera was sufficient on the speed certainly, the AF was perhaps once or twice "overwhelmed". The main reason for "fuzzy" images was more of the AF algorithm, the camera, I got during the game a little adapted to the settings _an the Kamera_ and got a much better yield. As I had imagined it ...