First impressions on the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8

I recently picked up the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM (so many letters!) and the matched Sigma 1.4 EX DG APO Teleconverter, and I've been putting both to the test. Here are some first thoughts:

1. Its big, and its heavy. Front filter thread of 105mm. The build quality is fantastic, and its almost as beautiful as the images it produces. It dwarfs the 1DSII, which is a HUGE camera.

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM + Sigma 1.4 EX DG APO Teleconverter on the Canon 1DSII

2. The auto focus is ridiculously fast (even with the teleconverter in place), and the optical stabilization is very impressive for a lens of this size.

3. Optical Quality. In real world tests, not test charts, this lens is sharp, and produces some very beautiful images, even with the teleconverter. Contrast is great, and it is well controlled against flare.

Here are some sample images around Bloomington, IN, Lake Griffy, and Brown County State Park:

Lake Griffy in Bloomington, IN. Canon 1DSII, Sigma 120-300mm + 1.4x, 420mm, f/4.

Lake Griffy in Bloomington, IN. Canon 1DSII, Sigma 120-300mm + 1.4x, 420mm, f/4.

Birds fighting over food at Brown County State Park, Nashville, IN. Canon 5D, Sigma 120-300mm + 1.4x, 354mm, f/4

Birds fighting over food at Brown County State Park, Nashville, IN. Canon 5D, Sigma 120-300mm + 1.4x, 354mm, f/4

Skateboarding on Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN. Canon 5D, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8, 235mm, f/3.2.

To view other photos from this lens and view photos in high resolution, head over to my Flickr page where I have the photos posted in full resolution, and check out the results for your self!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottscheetz/sets/72157652878893201