Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO HSM - Canon EF

The Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO HSM is a telephoto zoom lens in Canon EF mount, covering 120–400mm with a maximum aperture of f/4.5 at the wide end and f/5.6 at 400mm, weighing 1750g, with a minimum focus distance of 1.5m and a 77mm filter thread.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 120–400mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele)
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Lens mount: Canon EF
• Autofocus: HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
• Aperture blades: 9
• Minimum focus distance: 1.5m
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Weight: 1750g
• Image stabilisation: No

Who is the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO HSM for?

If you shoot DSLR and want serious reach for wildlife, motorsport, football, or airshows without paying flagship lens prices, this is the kind of glass that makes a lot of sense. The 120–400mm zoom range gives you genuine flexibility — you can pull back to 120mm when a bird lands closer than expected, then push straight out to 400mm for a distant subject. Paired with an APS-C body, that 400mm becomes an effective 640mm, which is a lot of lens for the money. The HSM autofocus motor is quiet and reasonably fast, making it workable for moving subjects in decent light. It's also compatible with both full-frame and APS-C Canon EF cameras, so it grows with your kit. If you're comparing it to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, keep in mind that lens tops out at 200mm — the Sigma gets you to 400mm at a fraction of the optical bulk cost. Shooters who want even more reach in the same family might look at the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, which adds OS (optical stabilisation) and a longer tele end. For those who already own a 70-200mm and just need the tele extension, the combination of this lens's range and build quality makes it a genuine workhorse.

Buying a used Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO HSM

Picking up this lens second-hand is a smart move. It's a robust, well-built optic — reviewers consistently praised its sturdy construction and smooth zoom and focus mechanisms — so used copies tend to hold up well. Every pre-owned lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually inspected and photographed, and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty. Check the variant listing for the exact warranty period on your specific copy. One thing worth confirming when buying any used telephoto zoom: test autofocus across the full range and check the front element for dust or haze, both of which are easy to spot in the product photos.