Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at this 3.3x super-telephoto zoom from Sigma with optical stabilisation.

Priced well; Good build quality; Optical Stabilisation; Silent focusing with full-time manual override

Prone to flare when used without the supplied lens hood; Loose zoom mechanism suffers with zoom creep; Hunts for focus in low light conditions

Nature photographer Ross Hoddinott puts Sigma's 120-400mm zoom to the test and is impressed by its versatility Sigma announced its 120-400mm lens in January 2008, along with the 150-500mm f/5-6.3.

If you need a versatile telephoto zoom lens for your SLR, then consider

Super tele lenses (400mm+) tend to be rather expensive being and as such often limited to professional use. However, there're a few lenses where the manufacturers were able to keep a rather moderate price level and the Sigma AF 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM APO OS is surely among to more popular options...

A 3.3x zoom lens covering super-telephoto focal lengths, with optical stabilisation to aid hand held shooting.

Priced well; Good build quality; Optical Stabilisation; Silent focusing with full-time manual override

Prone to flare when used without the supplied lens hood; Loose zoom mechanism suffers with zoom creep; Hunts for focus in low light conditions

Originally posted 2008-06-16 on Optyczne.pl Lenses whose focal lengths start at around 100 mm and end at 400 mm are interesting proposals for many advanced photographers. While instruments of 70-300 class, by virtue of their affordable price and still acceptable dimensions, are often chosen by...

too weak image quality at 400 mm; large weight and dimensions compared to the competition; bad work against bright light; mediocre accuracy of the focusing mechanism

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.

I have been using this lens regularly and have been very pleased with my photos. I am not a professional but I have been interested in photography since the 80's. This has been my biggest investment in a lens to date and I am very happy I went with the Sigma!

I had read mixed reviews on this lens and wasn't sure if it would be the best choice for my needs. I do mostly wildlife photography and needed a long reach lens. After driving myself crazy, I finally chose to buy it over the more expensive Canon 100-400 IS. I was amazed for so many reasons.

Very well balanced; excellent IQ; positioning of the manual ring and zoom ring

A bit heavy; but not much different than others in this class

Not a bad lens for the money this Sigma can be quite sharp and reasonably quick to focus if you know how to use it and your camera to their maximum potential. This is not a point and shoot type of lens , it does require your input to get the best out of it.I found it quite heavy when lugging it all...

Cost effective; High build quality; Smooth focusing; Quiet,accurate HSM AF motor; Great adjustable tripod leg mounting shoe; Zoom creep lock

Soft wide open at maximum zoom/aperture; Heavy; Autofocus can hunt a bi,t but once locked on to the general target area is very fast