Sigma 150-500mm F5.6-6.3 OS HSM Lens

[delS1]

I'm pretty sure many questions have been asked before about this lens but anyway here goes.

I've been using the 70-300 Nikon lens on my D5000 for about a year and really want to move up to something longer, within my budget.

What I would like to know is how would this lens compare to the speed of focusing of the 70-300, is it soft at 500mm and how does it cope on overcast days. Especially fast moving motorsport.

I do a lot of motorsport photography and love panning usually between 200-300mm.

So in summery having been very pleased with my 70-300mm lens will I be disappointed with the Sigma.

Thanks

Del

 

[artyman]

I don't know what speed your current lens is, but the Sigma is a very capable lens, I've shot birds in low light but not cars though this was late afternoon so light levels were down from earlier in the day. Softness can be attributed to a number of factors, camera shake (it has an awesome OS system) subject movement, shutter speed, technique, but the actual lens itself is sharp. as can be seen from the bird shot.

100% crop from my old 350D

 

[jessica1]

I have used the Sigma 150-500 for over a year and have yet to find any softness at the 500 end. The OS motor is great and I have used it in low light without any fuss, I just upped the ISO setting a bit. It may be worth considering a monopod as well for extra stability, I tried using the lens in the shop with and without and was quite impressed, I also brought a UV filter with a polariser from Amazon for around £20 as I am out and about in nature reserves and keep getting snagged by everything! If possible you may need a strap with extra padding as it can get a bit heavy after a few hours but other than that it's great!

 

[Bigvin]

Well I use a D5000 and used to use a Nikon 70-300 VR.

Last week I bought myself a Sigma 150-500 from this very forum.

Like you I was worried about focusing speed and low light performance, but decided to get one after seeing pics from Ken and Scott.

I haven't been disappointed. Focusing is not hugely different from the Nikon 70-300 and the low light performance hasn't been a problem with a quick adjustment of the ISO. (As long as you don't intend to do night shooting. Lol)
Keep the shutter speed up and you shouldn't have any problems with picture quality.

Picture from an overcast day in the North East, handheld at 500mm.


Coal Tit by NUFC_Ozzy, on Flickr

 

[Bigvin]

PS. I'd also recommend getting a monopod as well.