Review Sigma 300-800

puddleduck said:
Which tripod do you have? If it can take a Sigmonster it'll be good for anything :love:
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This one HERE , Joe and I had a chat about my requirements and both agreed that this would be fine to handle the weight.I have used it at a RSPB hide at Leighton Moss ,to nearly full extension on the legs and it never waivered with my 600 F4, I used it on rough ground the other day with the 300-800, again, it was fine. I have a Manfrotto 393 head on it and a D300 (no grip but have used a D200 with grip on it), it handles it well.

It is not the most adjustable tripod, but lets be honest here, with this lens it does not matter that much and at £50, I reckon its the dogs danglies.
 
As this is more than likely to be the most expensive lens that I shall ever buy, I decided to protect it a tad by buying a neoprene lenscoat for it to protect against scuffs and scratches.I`m sure it will do it`s job to a certain degree, but it is poorly made,is a poor fit and ,in my opinion, vastly overpriced.....:thumbsdown:
 
fracster said:
As this is more than likely to be the most expensive lens that I shall ever buy, I decided to protect it a tad by buying a neoprene lenscoat for it to protect against scuffs and scratches.I`m sure it will do it`s job to a certain degree, but it is poorly made,is a poor fit and ,in my opinion, vastly overpriced.....:thumbsdown:
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I too have the neoprene lens coat on the Canon 300mm f2.8 IS. Fit is not too bad, is tailored to the dimensions of my lens.

As for price, it is expensive and possibly overpriced, but don't forget these are made and imported from USA, so Mr Darling et all are vastly inflating the price, then of course the retailer adds their margin on etc. etc

I've also been informed (by Kevin Keatley at WWS) that neoprene can be hard to work with, so I'm wondering whether the labour intensity is the main factor of price....
 
That is one serious looking bit of kit !!
 
markta said:
I too have the neoprene lens coat on the Canon 300mm f2.8 IS. Fit is not too bad, is tailored to the dimensions of my lens.

As for price, it is expensive and possibly overpriced, but don't forget these are made and imported from USA, so Mr Darling et all are vastly inflating the price, then of course the retailer adds their margin on etc. etc

I've also been informed (by Kevin Keatley at WWS) that neoprene can be hard to work with, so I'm wondering whether the labour intensity is the main factor of price....
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Maybe your right, it just seemed expensive for what it was, nevermind, it is done now.By the way, the stuff wildlife watching supplies sell is very handy, I have some stuff off them. The actual waterproof cover for this has been made by chopping the leg off a pair of gortex camouflage pants. Quick and easy to fit and very waterproof, just need to do a bit of sewing adjustment to it now.

Top tip.........when cutting the trousers to make the lens cover, make sure your TP camera strap is nowhere near............:bang:
 
Did Martins order it specially for you. I can't see their price for it on their site. Cheers.
 
BRASH said:
Did Martins order it specially for you. I can't see their price for it on their site. Cheers.
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Yes they did Brian, phone them and ask, a pleasant lady called Linda answered when I phoned.........:thumbs:
 
I think I'd need to go on a bodybuilding course to carry that lens around!
 
fracster said:
Yes they did Brian, phone them and ask, a pleasant lady called Linda answered when I phoned.........:thumbs:
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Ta! mate. I just noticed the links on the first post in the thread, which explains all the questions I was asking. Sorry for being a biff:bonk::bonk:
I'll give them a call.
 
Few from today, no pp other than convert from NEF and a quick sharpen.

All at full wack and wide open, to the best of my recollection...........:suspect:

Blackbirdcopy.jpg



Bluetit1copy.jpg



Chaffinchfemale1copy.jpg



Longtailedtit1copy.jpg



Robin1copy.jpg



Wooddovecopy.jpg



Bluetit2copy.jpg



GreyRatcopy.jpg



Do I rate this lens? Yes I do.
 
Pretty impressive and not even cropped. How far away were you.

I phoned and spoke to Linda. Very helpful. Their price is a fair bit dearer then the HK one I was looking at but still a damn sight cheaper than other British suppliers (who apparently are having difficulty getting them). Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! Bloody tempted.
 
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BRASH said:
Pretty impressive and not even cropped. How far away were you.

I phoned and spoke to Linda. Very helpful. Their price is a fair bit dearer then The HK one I was looking at but still a damn sight cheaper than other Brttish suppliers (who apparently are having difficulty getting them). Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!! Bloody tempted.
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Martins will honour UK warranty Brian, do you want to spend this amount on a lens that would have to go back to HK if it goes wrong?

Stop farting about and buy one..........:D


All were taken around the garden, i`m not sure on distance mate. They are cropped down to A4 size, that is it.
 
Brian, this was taken from approx 60 feet away.

Test.jpg


And it crops down to this.

Test2.jpg



Shot is not brilliant, but I hope it helps a tad.

You biff.......:lol:
 
I'm coming closer to a decision every time you post a pic. The power and quality of that lens is just awesome. Wonder if they'll throw in a free 2x convertor:D:lol::D:lol:
 
Looks an awesome lens, I really thought about one of these when I was doing more wildlife.

The reach with 800mm is pretty potent.
 
Yes it is and it does the bizz, but you know summat.............I prefer the pics from the old 600 F4 , they have something extra, don`t know what, but when you get it right with that old girl, boy are you swimming..............:D
 
IanC_UK said:
i think you mean JFDI (Just F Do It ;))

Gets a lot of good reviews from a lot of birders so once you are used to it im sure we will be seeing lots of its results :)
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Your right there Ian, its expensive, no two ways about that, but it works...........:thumbs:
 
BRASH said:
Howdya know sweetie?
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I know dude, or do I? Are you really called Brian? Or are you something totally different........:lol:
 
fracster said:
I know dude, or do I? Are you really called Brian? Or are you something totally different........:lol:
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Brian during daylight but Brenda at night:D:lol:
 
Back on track...................:D

Not great shots, but show what could be achieved by a decent photographer...................:lol:

Greattit1.jpg



Greattit1crop.jpg
 
500 max????????

"small" potatoes................:lol:
 
digitalmaniac said:
Did you goto the link it has 1000 mm attachment and costs 14,000 and of course constant f2.8 upto 500 and weighs bloody 25 kilos
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No, the page was taking ages to load last night, that is some serious bit of glass..............:eek:
 
Can you edit the images down to 800 pixels please ;)
 
Is there a way to calculate the magnification and effective max magnification as per a telescope when looking at these monster lenses?
 
RobertP said:
Can you edit the images down to 800 pixels please ;)
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Sorry, been away, will do.

Keep bleeding forgetting........:bonk:

I think they are done now.
 
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AAAAAAAAAAH LENS PORN !!!!!!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:


LOOOK AWAY :lol::lol:


HIDE CREDIT CARDS :gag:


DO NOT BUY
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DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
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DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
DO NOT BUY
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YET......:bat:
 
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