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Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
SLR Gear
Sigma has produced a nice telephoto zoom here, and the inclusion of optical image stabilization will be a welcome upgrade from its previous offerings in the similar range. This stabilization is necessary, as good image sharpness in the telephoto range is only obtained when stopped down to Æ’/8 or Æ’/11. Using a smaller aperture in this range usually demands a slower shutter speed, which is usually a recipe for blurry images when using long-zoom lenses. With image stabilization, you get a steadier platform. In the final analysis, it becomes fairly obvious whether this lens is for you; Pentax and Sony users really don’t have any comparable options in this range, and while the Nikon and Canon offerings are slightly better choices optically, they’re more expensive. If absolute image quality at full telephoto is your objective, you may have to invest slightly more money into a telephoto prime, but shooting stopped down to Æ’/8 or Æ’/11, you can get fairly good images out of this lens, and with image stabilization, you don’t even need a sunny day or a tripod anymore. READ FULL REVIEW
Other Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM APO Reviews
Photo Review
A competitively-priced, optically-stabilised long-zoom lens for DSLR cameras with ‘full-frame’ or ‘APS-C’ sized image sensors. A close cousin to the APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens, which has also been reviewed on the Photo Review website, Sigma’s APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM lens can be used on both ‘full frame’ and ‘APS-C-sized’ DLSR cameras as well as traditional 35mm SLRs. Smaller and lighter than the 150-500mm model, it is a significant upgrade on the 135-400mm f/4-5.6 lens it replaces. READ FULL REVIEW
Mark Preston
17 Mar 2011I purchased this lens recently and thus far I am stunned by the overall function of this lens. Excellent sharpness to about 280-300 and still very good going all out to 400mm. I have taken some shots that I would consider excellent even at 400mm. I think the problem some people might be experiencing where the focus cross hairs hit the subject. If it is a small subject, like a Hummingbird, use the manual override to make sure the focus is dead on. The sweet spot on this lens seems to be f/8 to about f/11. I, so far, love this lens and for the price…WOW! Sturdy construction, excellent balance for the weight, doesn’t feel like you’re holding a 4 plus pound lens. Great padded carrying case. The collar, for me, doubles and as a hand hold with the finger channels. I love the zoom ring in front and manual focus in the rear, that way I can override the AF by just moving my index finger up just a little and turn the MF ring, Excellent ergonomics. I would definitely recommend this lens!