Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Telephoto Zoom lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
SA Mount cameras.
The Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is also available in the Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.
What type of photography is the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
There is only one more lens with the Sigma SA mount that has the exact same focal and aperture range with the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM, the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM.
Lenses in Sigma SA Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Reasons to Buy the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
| Autofocus |
| Distance Scale |
| Hood supplied |
| Tripod Collar |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Internal Focusing |
| Fast Aperture at Wide end |
| Fast Aperture at Tele end |
| Constant f2.8 aperture throughout the range |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
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| No Weather Sealing |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is compatible with cameras that have a Sigma SA lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sigma SA lenses are Sigma Quattro, Sigma Quattro H and Sigma SD1 Merrill.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has a maximum diameter of 113mm and a total length of 271mm. It weighs 2600g / 91.7 oz.
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has a filter thread of 105mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM:
You can also check All Sigma SA Mount Lenses with 105mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Focal Range
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has a focal range of 120-300mm and 2.5X zoom ratio.
Tripod Collar
With a total length of 271mm and a weight of 2600g, the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is a large lens. Fortunately, it comes with a tripod collar which you can use to attach the lens directly to a tripod or monopod instead of attaching the camera. This connection helps to better balance the lens/kit combination.
Optical Image Stabilization
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM in Sigma SA mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM With Optical Image Stabilization
Zoom Method
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM features Rotary (internal) zoom method where the length of the lens doesn't change while you are zooming in or out. Even though this design has a size disadvantage in general compared to extending designs, it has the benefits of better sealing against dust and moisture, no zoom creep and no weight balance shift while zooming.
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.12x with a minimum focusing distance of 2.5m. 0.12x ratio is quite low, making this lens unsuitable even for modest close-up photography.
Below are the 3 Telephoto Zoom type Sigma SA mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 120mm all the way to the 300mm .
| Focal Length |
Max Aperture |
Min Aperture |
|
120mm
|
F2.8 |
F32 |
|
300mm
|
F2.8 |
F32 |
Optical Formula
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM's optical formula consists of 18 elements in 16 groups . Special elements used in this design is 3 SLD glass elements.
Lens Hood
Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM.
Top Alternatives of Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM in Other Lens Mounts
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