Sigma 150-600mm contemporary

odd jim said:
No, no IQ difference though the S aperture closes down later than the C but we're not talking anything significant . AF is supposed to be quicker but in testing the reviews don't seem to think there's much in it.

The C seems to be as quick as my 70-200 f/2.8 EX to focus, and that's pretty damn quick :)
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And if the new upcoming firmware update increases AF speed by the predicted 20-50% it should be lightning quick.
It's also adjustable on the C1 and C2 settings
 
C1 c2 ??
 
Wow hmm
 
I only got mine last week and not had a proper chance to try it out but so far very impressed.
The dock customisation makes it even more impressive and future proofs it against being made obsolete by camera firmware updates.
Instead of just being able to micro adjust AF for one point via the camera, with the dock you can adjust AF at 16 points, 4 focal lengths at 4 distances each:)

Link to video
View: https://vimeo.com/64665246
 
Been researching and reading review / watching youtube vid after vid on this lens for the past month or so. Can't wait to get it, I've been trying to find anything to convince me that the Tamron would be a better buy but this just seems to be the one to go for, and the AF update firmware to be released very soon seals it even more. One of the stockists is doing a buy it now pay in September thing - there's a £30 additonal fee for the privilege but I might go for it!
 
There are some credit card companies that offer up to 2 years interest free credit for new purchases which would allow you to shop around for the best price.

I am suffering from review fatigue trying to decide between the 2x Sigma lenses, the Tamron, or the Nikon 200-500. I keep changing my mind :(
 
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One 'addition' I have done is to put a 100mm arca type tripod adapter on the foot to make the lens easier to carry when mounted to the camera - that standard foot is way too short.
 
Yeah did mine today. Had a bit of a butt clenching moment as for some reason it froze halfway through, the LED light on the dock went out and the software stopped responding - the end result, a completely dead lens!! Luckily, restarting the process fixed it. But it's good, the AF is lighting quick, very quick indeed in fact. I'd upload some shots (it's my first proper test session after I bought it really as the weathers been so pants) but my PC is in the process of upgrading to Windows 10.... Hopefully it'll work after that [emoji51]
 
smr said:
How does the AF compare now to the AF before the firmware update ? It'd be really interesting to see how it compares to the Tamron and 100-400mk2
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It's fast, faster than my 70-200 EX when set to speed priory in the custom settings!
 
To own one these lens is the dock a must then
 
rookies said:
To own one these lens is the dock a must then
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Well it's fine as it stands straight out of the box but you'll only get the most out of it with the dock.
 
rookies said:
To own one these lens is the dock a must then
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It certainly is well worth the £40 they are to buy as all firmware updates can be done via the dock plus the custom settings are another useful feature if you have the dock.
If you don't get one, you would have to send the lens away to get updates and you'd lose out on some really good settings giving more flexibility.
Just my 10 penny worth but I think it's a no brainer for the price.
 
How easy is this dock can anything be messed up
 
For a very long lens am torn between this and tamron as they about same price. Don't think need sport version.

This will couple with a 70-200 2.8 or if not wanting spend that much a tamron 70-300 VC
 
Done the update - all went well and initial tests show the AF to be very quick now:)
Just need to do some real world testing.
 
C1 default AF and dynamic OS
C2 High speed AF and dynamic OS
 
A few shots from my lens, only had about two days worth of half decent weather since I got my hands on it late last month o_O;

55 by Jim, on Flickr

61 by Jim, on Flickr

63 by Jim, on Flickr

53 by Jim, on Flickr

87 sunset by Jim, on Flickr

88 by Jim, on Flickr
 
Its a reasonably sized crop maybe 30/40%?
 
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just a quick peek in here ,i own and use the sport version ,and did the firmware upgrade yesterday ,i have had my lens over a year now so know how it works under all circumstances ,so after update i can say without a doubt that focus is now lightning fast ,and it also seems more accurate ? one sports owner complains that it has stopped his canon t.c from working with it so i just checked my kenko 1.4dgx-HD with it and theres no problems at all .well worth doing anyway
 
I only tested this briefly before the update (recent acquisition and had rubbish weather!) but the AF is definitely faster now, very fast.
 
But the sigma is a good looking lens lol
 
smr said:
According to Dustin Abbott yes.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXocpM5xno
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This doesn't take into account the fact you can prioritise and set the AF speed on the Sigma (via the dock), its custom settings were switched off (you can see it on the switch at the side of the lens), so it seems its on its standard settings. Its much, much faster when you set priority to the AF motor over its 'standard' AF setting, even before the update.

He mentions hunting at the end as well, the lens can also be set to focus accuracy which reduces that.

I'm guessing he didn't have access to a dock? it's quite a significant advantage to the Sigma.
 
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smr said:
Very good. I didn't think of that. Have any of you had a chance to do some more testing with the AF post firmware update?
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Yes, it's very impressive, especially given its focal range, AF is fast and accurate:
 
the black fox said:
just a quick peek in here ,i own and use the sport version ,and did the firmware upgrade yesterday ,i have had my lens over a year now so know how it works under all circumstances ,so after update i can say without a doubt that focus is now lightning fast ,and it also seems more accurate ? one sports owner complains that it has stopped his canon t.c from working with it so i just checked my kenko 1.4dgx-HD with it and theres no problems at all .well worth doing anyway
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No problem whatsoever with the Canon 1.4x mkII tc after the update, works great as it did before. I use AF priority set to 'Focus' on both lens and Camera so have not found any difference in focus accuracy as it was OK before the update. Setting the priority to 'Speed' does seem to speed up the AF but I would never use that anyway as I want focus accuracy as opposed to speed - after the update the AF speed when using 'Focus' priory may be a bit quicker but not by a lot.
 
Roy C said:
No problem whatsoever with the Canon 1.4x mkII tc after the update, works great as it did before. I use AF priority set to 'Focus' on both lens and Camera so have not found any difference in focus accuracy as it was OK before the update. Setting the priority to 'Speed' does seem to speed up the AF but I would never use that anyway as I want focus accuracy as opposed to speed - after the update the AF speed when using 'Focus' priory may be a bit quicker but not by a lot.
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Speed priority I find is pretty accurate, didn't get any missed shots with it today with some very twitchy wildlife photography :)
 
IMAGES NOW DELETED AS THEY HAVE NOT SHOWN AT THE SIZE I PROCESSED THEM AT (1200 px long). IS THERE A SIZE LIMIT FOR THIS SITE ?
 
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smr said:
According to Dustin Abbott yes.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXocpM5xno
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I owned the Tamron for six months but sold it because I was not happy with the AF, especially in low contrast situations. For me the Sigma 150-600 C is a much better lens with the AF being faster and more consistent, even at the default settings without customization. Do not believe everything you read - the only way you can tell which is best is by trying both lenses for yourself.
 
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