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Nice blog Rob, interesting reading.

Does anyone crop in camera or do you wait until on PC ??
 
If it altered the view in the vf it would be a good feature, but ot doesn't and I know I'd fluff the framing and end up with half a car or something daft being chopped off. I'm not a machine gunner, Ilike to take single shots rather than rattle off 8 at a time.
 
Not sure if this is helpful but here are my thoughts.

I've owned the Sigma 150 - 500mm for a few years and have shot with it on a Nikon D90, D600 & D610. Considering the price of it, I've had no major complaints. I've seen some samples online from it (like the lens quality tool at the-digital-picture.com) that make it look absolutely horrendous. I really don't think it is THAT bad and I've managed to get plenty of images I think most people would find more than acceptable. Maybe I did get a "good" copy, if such a thing exists? Obviously it helps to have decent light or a camera with good ISO performance but it still represents very good value for money in my opinion. Also, it helps if you're not a million miles away from your subject but then isn't that the case with most lenses in this category? I've always handheld it (apart from once when I sat for a week waiting for a damn otter) and I never found it too big or heavy.

Having said all that, my copy packed up on me when I attached it to a D750. Sigma said it was probably just the firmware that needed updating but it turned out to be a lot worse. £207 later and my copy now has new OS, a new AF motor, a new rear barrel and a new MR sensor. Came back to me yesterday and the OS is now much quieter than it was before. Seems daft but I might sell it on now and try and make the "step up". It's annoying me that I've spent so much money on a lens that's only worth about £400 though the repair does come with a 6 month warranty so that was a bonus. I believe the OS was prone to failing on some of these Sigma super zooms so that's something to look out for.

Anyway, I've not helped ...
 
Wouldn't mind seeing a few shots mate. If you do decide to sell it this week then let me know more about it as it is definately on my radar atm. I'd be really happy to have a lens around this kind of length for £400!
 
Wouldn't mind seeing a few shots mate. If you do decide to sell it this week then let me know more about it as it is definately on my radar atm. I'd be really happy to have a lens around this kind of length for £400!

Am going to send you a PM with a link to some images. Full size, some unedited and a variety of focal lengths. I must be the only person on this forum who doesn't have a Flickr account ... not that the world wants to see my rubbish images!

I'll probably ponder for the next day or so about selling and make sure it's working perfectly after getting it back from Sigma. It's my big baby you see and we've had many happy experiences together ... :)
 
Totally understand Neil. I'm still not certain that the 150-500 is gor me either. I will have a search of the net and see if I'd be more suited to the 120-400 or the 150-500. I doubt for what I do that there would be any difference anyway tbh.

Will take a look at the link you sent me later.

Thanks.
 
The Nikon 300mm prime was it the old Mk1 or Mk2 with AFS? Just asking, as I find mine very fast, in tenths of seconds focussing. It's just instant.


Both. I had the non afs and the afs.
 
there is sample variation, the 150 500 I tried at Clifton cameras was very sharp wide open, while another might need f7 or 8

it has nice rich colour to it, that lens
 
As a bit of an out there suggestion, I use a 1.4TC with my 28-300 which works to pretty good effect - nice and small too.

edit: only time I've used it in anger was at the Bournemouth Air Festival. My TC is a Kenco which doesn't relay the additional focal length to the camera so all the ones at 300mm were taken with the 28-300 with 1.4TC attached (I then switched to a 80-200 f/2.8 with TC - reported as 200mm).

Only minor issue is the focus breathing on the 28-300 which is quite severe...
 
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