Sigma telephoto on Nikon body: I placed an order with Sigma for a refurbished 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports and a 1.4x teleconverter. They mistakenly sent me a much more expensive...

Chris Bennett

I placed an order with Sigma for a refurbished 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports and a 1.4x teleconverter.
They mistakenly sent me a much more expensive and very nice 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens, which initially got me very excited.
I have two Nikon D7000 bodies.
I tried the lens on both bodies using a tripod and could not get a sharp image, even with Nikon fine tuning adjustments in the body.

I am wondering if this is usual for Sigma telephotos on 7000 series Nikon bodies?
Has anybody else had this issue?

I plan on ordering the Sigma USB hub today in case I need it to get a reasonable focus adjustment.
I am worried that I will encounter the same issue when the send me the 150-600 that I initially ordered.

Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sounds like a great deal, but if the 120-300 lens is not the "SPORT" version the USB hub won't work on it.

Chris Bennett

MT Shooter wrote:

Sounds like a great deal, but if the 120-300 lens is not the "SPORT" version the USB hub won't work on it.

It was the Sport version.
I am returning it and getting the 150-600 Sport.
I need the reach it has.

Joe Blow

The lens / camera combination should be expected to work, regardless of the manufacturer. The sensor expects the image hitting it to be in focus. Nikons are quality cameras and have quality sensors. If the camera is working with other lenses, even just Nikon lenses, it should be working with the Sigma.

If your camera is working with other lenses, then the problem is with this Sigma lens. Maybe it needs an alignment or maybe it is damaged. You won't know unless it is inspected by an expert. Send it back and let Sigma fix it. Regardless of how expensive the lens is, it is useless if you can't use it.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Chris Bennett wrote:

It was the Sport version.
I am returning it and getting the 150-600 Sport.
I need the reach it has.

Terrific lens, I have one and use it a lot for sports, however never for very long hand held due to its weight. I almost always use it on a monopod and the results are phenomenal for basketball and volleyball. Its actually over a pound heavier than the 150-600mm Sport lens, which I also avoid hand holding for any length of time. I never had either of them back when I used the D7000, but I do use both of them on my D850 and D500 bodies regularly with excellent results.

Chris Bennett

Joe Blow wrote:

The lens / camera combination should be expected t... (show quote)

Thank you. The camera bodies work with all of my Nikon lenses so it is likely an issue with the Sigma lenses. I am going to return the lens and get the 150-600 I initially ordered.
I shoot primarily wildlife and really need the extra reach. It hurts to send back such a nice lens but if it does not work...

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Chris Bennett wrote:

It was the Sport version.
I am returning it and getting the 150-600 Sport.
I need the reach it has.

Did you get the same results with and without the teleconverter?

Chris Bennett

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Did you get the same results with and without the teleconverter?

Tried both ways (w/teleconverter & without) just to be sure. Also tried full range 120-300. Also tried manual focus through viewfinder and LED screen. Determined the lens was defective. All blurry. Notified Sigma and returned it. Hoping for better results with the 150-600 Sport. Sigma was horrified when they realized they sent me the much more expensive lens, LOL.
I was somewhat disappointed that Sigma would send out a refurbished lense without checking that it works. The 120-300 is discontinued and the lens appeared brand new.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Chris Bennett wrote:

I placed an order with Sigma for a refurbished 150... (show quote)

IMHO, if you want sharp images get the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. You will be happy and content and really, really like the results from this lens. And, IMHO, do not put a tele converter on any zoom lens.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

billnikon wrote:

IMHO, if you want sharp images get the Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. You will be happy and content and really, really like the results from this lens. And, IMHO, do not put a tele converter on any zoom lens.

I am just responding to your TC comment. I have a Nikkor AFS 300mm f/4 that works well with the TC17EII that I have. I recently acquired a very nice pre-owned AFS 70-200mm f/2.8G VR2 and the TC17EII will mount on the lens. I tried it out with excellent results. So I am not sure that your advice to not use a TC with any zoom lens is accurate.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Chris Bennett wrote:

I placed an order with Sigma for a refurbished 150... (show quote)

I have a new in box, tuning port that I will gladly sell you, if interested, for $35, PayPal. It came with a lens I bought about a year ago, but have since traded because I found something I liked better. PM me if interested.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Fotomacher wrote:

I am just responding to your TC comment. I have a Nikkor AFS 300mm f/4 that works well with the TC17EII that I have. I recently acquired a very nice pre-owned AFS 70-200mm f/2.8G VR2 and the TC17EII will mount on the lens. I tried it out with excellent results. So I am not sure that your advice to not use a TC with any zoom lens is accurate.

IT IS.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Fotomacher wrote:

I am just responding to your TC comment. I have a Nikkor AFS 300mm f/4 that works well with the TC17EII that I have. I recently acquired a very nice pre-owned AFS 70-200mm f/2.8G VR2 and the TC17EII will mount on the lens. I tried it out with excellent results. So I am not sure that your advice to not use a TC with any zoom lens is accurate.

You are not wrong or even close to being wrong. Of course, with slower tele zooms your results will not be good, you will lose AF, and the viewfinder will be very dark. But there are quite a few F4 and F2.8 zooms that work exceptionally well with TCs.

The 70-200 F2.8 VR II is one of those lenses that works well with all three current TCs from Nikon

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-70-200mm-f2-8g-vr-ii

And the 200-400 F4 VR does an very good job with the 1.4 TC

https://www.richardpeters.co.uk/nikon-200-400-vr-14x-tc-review/

Sigma's 120-300 F2.8 similarly does well with Sigma's 1.4 TC, though not as well as with a 2.0 TC

https://photographylife.com/reviews/sigma-120-300mm-f2-8-dg-os-hsm

And the new 180-400 F4 Nikkor even comes with an integrated 1.4 TC

If someone tells you otherwise, ask for relevant and reliable sources for their information. There is nothing like real photos backed up by Imatest measurements to put an argument to rest.

mharvey

Hmm. I have two Sigma ART lenses (50mm f/1.4 and 24-105 f/4). They both work beautifully in my D810 but, with the new D850, I can't get either one to precisely focus (even with Fine Tuning)! With the Nikkor 24-120 and 50 f/1.4, the 850 focuses almost instantly and is tack-sharp!
Seems to be a camera to camera variation!
Got me stumped.

mleuck

Why would anyone put a Sigma lens on a high end Nikon body? Get the Nikon 200-500!