Love the Nikon D4 & Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM for Football

Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM w/ Sigma 2x, ISO 36204, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000

There are a few things that are fundamental technical aspects of a fantastic sports photo:

  • Well exposed
  • In focus
  • Sharp

The Nikon D4 and the Sigma 120-300mm ƒ/2.8 DG OS HSM with the Sigma 2x converter helps me to get the moments and be just right.

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens is a telephoto zoom lens featuring a fast, constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. This lens is the first designed under Sigma’s new Sports line, making it well-suited for fast-moving subjects such as wildlife, nature, aviation, racing, and other similar situations.

The built-in OS (Optical Stabilizer) system reduces the appearance of camera shake up to four stops, resulting in a long lens that You can easily use handheld and under low-light conditions. The OS system has two modes; one for general shooting applications and one better suited for panning shots of moving subjects. You can further adjust the OS system to suit your needs through the USB Dock.

 
Nikon D4, Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM w/ Sigma 2x, ISO 36204, ƒ/5.6, 1/2000 [While this is a little noisy for my tastes, the dynamic range is pretty good, and the critical thing is it is in focus, sharp and well exposed]

The Nikon D4 camera features a 16.2Mp 36 x 23.9mm CMOS sensor with Nikon’s FX format and the EXPEED3 image processor. As a result, the camera can now extend ISO sensitivity as low as ISO 50 or as high as 204,800 with a standard range of 100-12,800 ISO. Additionally, continuous shooting in FX format for up to 200 shots in ten frames per second ensures the camera will not miss the decisive moment.

D4’s AF sensor utilizes 51 strategically placed AF points designed to capture subjects as you choose: by working together like a net to capture moving subjects or for pinpoint accuracy. Use a single AF point to home in on the exact place on your chosen subject. The 51 AF points focus on an impressive low light level of -2 EV.

D4 aligns its 15 cross-type sensors in the center to detect contrast for both vertical and horizontal lines with lenses f/5.6 or faster. The five central points and three points to the left and right in the middle line are compatible with f/8. With the Sigma 2x converter, the lens is ƒ/5.6, and the D4 could still autofocus in a low light level of -2 EV at ISO 100. Of course, I had a lot more light than that in the Georgia Dome.