Sigma long Telephoto

[RogDen31]

Getting frustrated in not being to get close enough to get decent shots of wildlife birds in particular with a 300f4 and 1.7tc on a crop sensor (D300) and having decided i cannot afford a Nikon 400f2.8, 500f4 or 600f4 until i either win the lottery or retire.
I was wondering does anyone use or have opinions on the Sigma 500f4.5 EX DG HSM APO or 800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM APO and maybe not need a converter.

 

[markyboy.1967]

They are both good lenses. The 800 is very large and unless you have the corrct hwad/tripod then your images will suffer. Have you tried looking at your fieldcraft to allow you to get closer?

 

[merv]

Would the Sigma 150-500 be of interest to you. I find it excellent. Can put up some shots if you would like. merv

 

[Somelier]

I have the Sigma 500mm f4.5 pre DG model. At first I was unhappy with the the sharpness, but that problems seems to have been ironed out. Have a look here at some of the images I've taken with it: http://www.rakm.co.uk/robin_03.htm, http://www.rakm.co.uk/robin_04.htm, http://www.rakm.co.uk/teal_01.htm

 

[Joe T]

A chap I often sit next to in one of the hides I freqent uses the 500 f4.5 to great effect.

 

[MDB2]

Hi this is my first reply on the forum. I have the 150-500 sigma. and being new to photography, I am impressed with my results and they are getting better. obviously its not a very fast lens. but you can up the ISO a little on dull days which i do on my 50D. And at about £700 I think its a bargain. mike

 

[fracster]

The big sigma zooms are ok................

 

[artyman]

Another Vote for the Sigma 150-500 use mine with a 1.4 TC as well, this was with the TC attached.

 

[RogDen31]

thanks for the replies, I am more inclined to go for a 500 prime probably used if i can find one. I dont think i need vr if it mounted on a tripod with gimbal head.

Plus is a Nikon one really worth £1500 to £2000 more?

 

[menthel]

Sorry to thread crash, but does the 150-500 autofocus with the TC on?

 

[Briony]

Another apology for hi jacking thread but I have the Sigma 120 - 400 does anyone know if I can get extenders to put on this to make it longer and if so which ones?

Thank you.

 

[x777]

The Sigma 500mm f/4.5 is a very good lens (having chopped both the 'Bigma' 50-500mm and a short-lived 150-500mm OS for it). I only replaced mine last year as I got a Nikon 200-400mm VR.

 

[dragonfly]

Most of the modern zooms are very reasonable, given good light. But in dull conditions, you'll find prime lens faster and better at focusing.

Also, sharpness wise, primes will also outperform zooms - there're limitations in engineering as to what can be achieved with a zoom. So there's a compromise. Otherwise, we'd all have zooms.

In any case, it's not fair to compare telezooms with teleprimes, as they are made for different markets. Below are examples from the Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM with a D300.

 

[Digifrog]

I have the Bigma (Sigma 50-50mm). I've hardly ever used it as I have drifted towards landcscape.
Rgds

 

[malc1]

Sigmas' website says their 1.4 and 2x convertors are compatible with the 120-400. I use a 2x on a 120-300 Sigma. I've not tried it on a 150-500. Lens are never long enough. I was happy with a heron at 20M with 150-500 zoom set at 500.