What lens upgrade from Sigma 150-500?

Bigvin

Bigvin

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As title says, which lens would be a recommended upgrade from the Sigma 150-500?

I've thought about a Nikon 300mm with TC, but I think I would miss the flexibility of a zoom. The only thing which would make me think again is something with a greater focal length eg. Nikon 600mm F4 + TC. Only problem is the price :eek: I'm only an amateur hobbyist and can't justify that kind of outlay.

Any ideas? Or has anyone had experience upgrading from the Sigma to a ???

Cheers
 
Big Andy said:
Try looking at the new Sigma 120-300 os with 2.8 glass you could use a 2x convertor for 600mm @ f5.6 and still be reasonably sharp. With a 1.4 convertor it's very sharp, has fast focus and lovely boquet.

A few links for more info and sample images.
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=364450
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=339648
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=934592&page=111
Click to expand...

Wow Andy I like the look of that, I 'm looking to get a new lens and was torn between the 70-200 of sigma / nikkor or the nikkor 300 f4 now you've just made it harder especially as I already have a sigma 1.4 converter in the bag :thinking:

Edit just seen the price of 1 I think SWMBO will hang me if I get one :nono:
 
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maybe look at the 50-500mm os.
samples here.
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/...yford black hole seaton hides/SJB_4172b-1.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/colyford black hole seaton hides/SJB_5011.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/colyford black hole seaton hides/SJB_7590.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/colyford black hole seaton hides/SJB_7520.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/shapwick heath hamwall/SJB_7333.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/internet site 200kb pics/SJB_2530-1.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/internet site 200kb pics/SJB_0614.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/internet site 200kb pics/SJB_9905.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/internet site 200kb pics/SJB_8422.jpg
http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/scottthehat/internet site 200kb pics/SJB_2468.jpg
 
Big Andy said:
Try looking at the new Sigma 120-300 os with 2.8 glass you could use a 2x convertor for 600mm @ f5.6 and still be reasonably sharp. With a 1.4 convertor it's very sharp, has fast focus and lovely boquet.

snip
Click to expand...


I did look at the original Sigma 120-300 non OS.

I was a bit put off by peoples feedback about the size and weight of it.

It is something to keep in mind tho.

Cheers
 
scottthehat said:
maybe look at the 50-500mm os.

snip
Click to expand...

Thanks Scott

I'm not sure I'd see the major difference in performance after outlaying £1k.

I understand the 50-500 is supposedly a tad sharper, but it wouldn't get me any extra reach or faster shutter speeds.

It's starting to look more expensive the more I think about it. :(
 
Big Andy said:
The new version is much better image quality but yes it's heavy as all 2.8 glass is heavy. On the other hand as a 600mm with 2x convertor it would be rated as much lighter.
Click to expand...

Never thought of it like that.

See how easy I am to be convinced. :D
 
Bigvin said:
Thanks Scott

I'm not sure I'd see the major difference in performance after outlaying £1k.

I understand the 50-500 is supposedly a tad sharper, but it wouldn't get me any extra reach or faster shutter speeds.

It's starting to look more expensive the more I think about it. :(
Click to expand...
it defo abit more than a tad sharper, and i can understand where your coming from sound like the 120-300mm os and a 2x is the only way, im seriuosly thinking about it like you i keep seeing michaels examples then i want one, then i tried one and found it not as good as i was expecting only used it with a 2x on on a d7000 and it at 600mm i found at f8 it was about as sharp as the 50-500mm at 500mm wide open, but then i see michaels again and it makes me think maybe he had a soft lens of duff tc or i have just got a very good 50-500mm os copy.
 
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micloi said:
I had a fantastic copy of the 50-500mm but the 120-300 + 2x was still much sharper at f6.3

And it is not only me, see some of the samples on the POTN thread:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=934592&page=115

This is an especially good one, taken at 600mm f5.6 (wide open) and through a glass door!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29108710@N04/6508019457/
Click to expand...
well i think im gonna have to go try one again because the one i tried would of never produced the detail like some of those pics.
 
Ive got the sigma 500mm f4.5 and I love it. fantastic wide open which it where it counts for me when shooting wildlife. I do miss a bit of zoom sometimes though. If you are in the north west feel free to have a test. Im not sure about second hand prices these days but I have seen them go for a touch over a grand. It doesnt have any stabilisation either which makes it really difficult for birds in flight but it is a lot smaller and lighter than the f4 lenses so handholding at 1/250 isnt a problem if you are well set.
 
That's the problem I've got, there's nowhere near me who'll have one in to try.:(

The only shops around here will order one in for me but to buy not to try.
 
Oooooohhhhh. Just looked on ebay and there's one for sale at £1250.

I swore I'd never buy a lens off ebay, but it's so tempting.
 
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