Sigma 120-400mm any good for aviation photography?

[awacsfan]

Ever since I sold my Canon EF 300/4.0 IS lens I'm lacking some more "reach". I do own the Canon EF 70-200 which is a great lens if you ask me. I've tried out the Canon EF 100-400, just as well as the Sigma 50-500 (BIGMA) but I wasn't really happy with either one, for a variety of reasons.
Now I was wondering if the Sigma 120-400 4.5-5.6 APO DX OS is any good for aviation photography or not. If anybody on the board uses this lens, I'd gladly hear from you and maybe see the one or other picture (across the entire range but especially at the long "end" of 400mm).

I'm basically after an affordable lens for my Canon EOS 40D which still can be handheld, preferrably has image stabilization (but not necessarily), has a good and speedy AF and offers good results.

Apart from the 400mm, could the Sigma 120-400mm be the "poor's man version" of the BIGMA?

Looking forward to some interesting replies,

cheers

Andy

[Joe]

Hello

Im quite glad this has been put up because im looking to buy the same lense. I have a new Nikon D5000 and i am looking for a bigger lense for aviation photography.
Any comments or feed back would be much appreciated.
Thanks

[aviationandy]

I considered that lens, but the reviews werent that great.

On the back of that, I would go for a Bigma instead...

[awacsfan]

I considered that lens, but the reviews werent that great.

That's exactly why I've posted this question here. I've read some reviews and often the results of the 120-400 weren't all that great, however, I'd much rather hear from anybody actually using it for the purpose I intend to use it for (aviation photography).

Cheers

Andy

[Aquila]

I'm wondering why you're looking at a Sigma lens after selling the Canon 300 f4 which is surely a far superior lens??

[Richard B]

I'm wondering why you're looking at a Sigma lens after selling the Canon 300 f4 which is surely a far superior lens??

Was thinkng the same thing, the 300m canon stacked with a convertor will give you the reach and still be up there in the quality.

As you say you want the reach, the Bigma is hard to beat for a good allrounder.
Canon 100-400 is also a top lens thou does suffer at the long end of 400mm. but still would be better then the Sigma 120-400 at the top end i would think.

[awacsfan]

I'm wondering why you're looking at a Sigma lens after selling the Canon 300 f4 which is surely a far superior lens??

I sold the Canon EF 300/f4 IS because I hardly ever used it. For the aircraft here at my "home base", 300mm is too much for the take-off or landing shots and not enough for the "turn" pictures, which are carried out in the distance.
At airshows, the prime 300mm is again, often too much for take-off shots and not enough for the flying display.
Qualitywise, the lens was absolutely suprior to any Sigma, I agree, although with a converter the loss of quality was noticeable.

[ChinookBN]

I have also been considering a "larger" telephoto lens for aviation photography. I have a Canon 40D and the 70-300 is usm lens is the biggest I currently own.

Anyhow the Autumn 2009 issue of Digital Camera Magazine did a group test on "super telephoto lenses". They tested the Canon 100-400, Nikon 80-400, Olympus Zuiko 70-300, Sigma 50-500, Sigma 120-400, Sigma 150-500, Tamron 200-500 and Tokina 80-400. Prices ranged from ££1,290 to £559 with the 120-400 Sigma in the mid range.

The test consisted of the lenses mounted on various D-SLR bodies tripod mounted. Handheld was also tested as well as static and moving targets.

These tests resulted in the Sigma 120-400 topping the bill with 92% while the 150-500 Sigma got 90% The Canon 88% the Nikon 80%. The Two Sigmas were awarded the Editor's choice. The magazine stated re the 150-500 "Bigger, heavier and more expensive than the Sigma 120 400mm, this nevertheless gives some extra telephoto reach". Regarding the 120-400mm they said "Packed with useful features and great image quality, the Sigma 120-400mm is impossible to beat at this price. Sharpness and contrast were extremely good throughout the zoom range, matching or exceeding the overall image quality of some lenses on test that cost twice the price".

Anyhow I hope this helps. Having a budget to keep to I have decided what Santa is bringing me.

John

[awacsfan]

Thanks John, these test results are quite interesting to read. I'll probably see that I can rent a Sigma 120-400 for a few days and test it out for aviation photography before I buy one.
Cheers
Andy

[GWJPhantom]

Andy,

I have owned the Sigma 80-400 DG OS lens for 3 years now and have no complaints unless the weather is dire ,presume it is a simalar lens if not exactly the same!

An example





Coupled with a Canon 350D

Cheers Gareth

[awacsfan]

Brilliant example Gareth - I'll need to dig into the lens specifics but what you do with the 80-400 is really nice!
Thanks for the sample shots,
Cheers

Andy