Sigma 150-500

Spitzer

Spitzer

Suspended / Banned
Messages
179
Name
Rob
Edit My Images
Yes
Having just returned from a holiday where I found my self seriously undergunned lens wise (using a 70-300 VRII) I am considering the Sigma 150-500.
It will be mainly used for wildlife shots. Can anyone give me any insight into this lens or any viable alternatives in that price range.
 
Hi rob. I'm asking the same question myself after being on safari in February and finding myself needing more range. I think it is going to be the 150-500 for me too. Search online for reviews, it seems to get good enough ratings and there is nothing else around in that price range. If you don't mind imports it can be got from panamoz for under 600 or a second hand one in the classifieds on here went yesterday for 465.
I will be keeping an eye on this to see what else is recommended.
Phil.
 
I used one of these OS version with my D300, whilst it was a decent fast focus lens, it became quite soft under f8, The lens is best used if possible at f8 for sharpness, I also used it with a monopod. I sold mine as it was not getting enough use, I did use a 2 x converter with this lens and was pretty good but had to be used on a nice bright day.

If i was to consider wildlife such as birds i would be looking at the Nikon 300 f4, perhaps with a TC.
 
Last edited:
Mine arrived yesterday and it looks very good. Got a couple of photos of a magpie before it got too dark.
 
Rocket said:
I used one of these OS version with my D300, whilst it was a decent fast focus lens, it became quite soft under f8, The lens is best used if possible at f8 for sharpness, I also used it with a monopod. I sold mine as it was not getting enough use, I did use a 2 x converter with this lens and was pretty good but had to be used on a nice bright day.

If i was to consider wildlife such as birds i would be looking at the Nikon 300 f4, perhaps with a TC.
Click to expand...

That the combo I have gone with.

Phil
 
Sigma 150-500 is by far my most used lens. Pound for pound can't be beaten. Plenty examples on my flickr if you want to have a loook.

I tend to pull it back slightly from 500mm to say 450-470. Try to not use it wide open unless I have to. Nevertheless I've been very happy with some prints at 16"x12" when I have used it at 500mm and wide open.

The OS is fantastic. I have a shot of a fox hand held at 1/20 sec (although I think it was at about 250mm). Wood mice and squirrels at less then 1/100 sec
 
I love my Sigma 150-500 OS, even wide open at 500 it's still pretty sharp and as Alan says the OS is fantastic. I use mine handheld nearly all the time and although it was a bit heavy to start with, I've soon got used to it.

6799965856_6e516f3b1a_c.jpg
[/url][/IMG]

This was taken wide open at f6.3 at 500mm, 1/400 and ISO 100. It was taken on a Canon 7D and is a Jpeg SOOC and cropped to size.
 
I bought a 150-500 from panamoz very pleased with service, as for lens I think it's pie hot althought it could do with a better pair of hands round it as I'm a bit unsteady!!
Practice practice practice for me!!
 
I've just bought the 150-500 from the forum and can't wait to start using it. Cant believe the size of it and it makes my Tamron 70-300 look like a kids toy.

When I rigged it up on my monopod and went out in the garden for a play I thought I looked like a wildlife extraordinaire however this was shot down by my missus calling me a nosey neighbour and my brother calling me the town pervert :D

Hopefully will get a chance to try it in anger over the weekend.
 
Heres a copy of my post in another thread about the lens:

Depends where you live and what kind of light you get, here's a few examples from my 150-500. Some are crops, some aren't.


Gulls Feeding by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/2000)
Aperture f/7.1
Focal Length 313 mm
ISO Speed 400


Great Tit by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 500 mm
ISO Speed 2500


Summer Tanager by ACW#, on Flickr
^
Exposure 0.001 sec (1/800)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 500 mm
ISO Speed 1250

I've tried to throw a mixed bunch in there to show the difference in image quality at different ISOs.

I could have opened the lens up to 6.3 at the long end, but most of these are stopped down a bit to show you that you can still get shots at f7+. Particulary the shot with the Summer Tanager was under quite a think canopy shooting into a small lit spot and it didn't handle too badly.
Click to expand...


If you wanted any shots from a particular aperture, shutter speed, or ISO, give me a PM or whatever and I'll send you some/post them on here to give you an idea.

Hope that helps.

Couple more to try and convince you to buy one!


Swainson's Rainbow Lory by ACW#, on Flickr


Military Macaw by ACW#, on Flickr

and a high 3200 iso shot:


Blue Tit by ACW#, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies and photos, some very nice shots, love the parrot ones.
It looks like the good far outweighs the bad ( which seems to be the same with most user reports on the net)
I think I will order one next week.
 
Spitzer said:
Thanks for the replies and photos, some very nice shots, love the parrot ones.
It looks like the good far outweighs the bad ( which seems to be the same with most user reports on the net)
I think I will order one next week.
Click to expand...

Good call, you won't regret it :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top