Which zoom lens to buy?

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Phase14

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Andy
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I am thinking of getting a long zoom lens and want your thoughts on the subject please for my Nikon D7000.

The lens is a Sigma 150 to 500 the question are
Is this good lens for the range at approx £800 pound from 1st cameras or can you get it any cheaper from a legitimate store?

Is this lens quick or slow?

the weight seems heavy?


Is there a better lens for this price Nikon etc you reccomend?

Any other thoughts on this matter please

thanks in advance
Andy
 
I've heard from reliable sources, Andy, that this lens is a bit of a bummer. Not a total wreck but a bit slow on focussing and heavier than a grannies facial growth. $800 seems a bit steep, even for the Pommy pound. I can pick it up here for about $1000 Aus which probably equates to about a million of those things you use for money. Nevertheless you should be able to do better on line.
Its probably worth whatever if you need it. Maybe you can save the bucks and buy a Nikon AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED. Its a lot lighter and great glass.
 
Andy,
Personally I think this lens represents excellent value for money. I purchased one earlier this year and havent regretted the purchase. It is fairly heavy but thats the trade off for a longish focal length I guees. It has the Sigma HSM focus motor and I find it quick and quiet to focus. It lacks a focus limit swicth which would add to its appeal and the ability to lock the zoom at anything other than the lens closed at 150 mm would be beneficial.

The lens can suffer from QA/QC issues so buy from a repuatbale online trader or tyr before you buy. Generally I'm more than happy with the results from the lens. It's sharp especailly center from (edge sharpness does fall off mind you) and the OS works a treat - its a little noisy but nothing thats going to frighten away the wildlife.

If I remember correctly I paid somewhere between 750 and 800 pounds for mine from Warehouse express.I use mine primarrily as a walk about wildlife lens and in this respect it does me very well indeed. I did comemnt on a post the other day about this lens and the use of TC's. The link will take you to a couple of pictures taken with this lens but with a 1.4 TC also installed on a 1D Mark IV.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=425871



I guess a lot comes down to budget and what you intend to do with the fianl out put pictures. It gets to 500mm and costs 10 times less than the current Canon 500 MM F4 L. For the money it is a very good performer IMHO.

Good luck with whatever purchase you make
Andrew
 
I got this lens for my 600D (it's now on my 60D) for a trip to Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands and it didn't let me down. Focus was quick, the lens was quiet, the OS worked well on the ship and ashore, and I'm more than pleased with the images I got. It is heavy, but the results make it worth the effort!
 
Tomd said:
I've heard from reliable sources, Andy, that this lens is a bit of a bummer. Not a total wreck but a bit slow on focussing and heavier than a grannies facial growth. $800 seems a bit steep, even for the Pommy pound. I can pick it up here for about $1000 Aus which probably equates to about a million of those things you use for money. Nevertheless you should be able to do better on line.
Its probably worth whatever if you need it. Maybe you can save the bucks and buy a Nikon AF VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED. Its a lot lighter and great glass.
Click to expand...

This is almost the opposite of my experience, other than the weight bit at least. The Nikon 80-400 is about the most disappointing lens I've ever used, particularly in the focusing department though the results weren't anything to write home about either.

The Sigma 150-500 is pretty decent though. It does need good light with being f/6.3 at the long end and working best stopped down a touch. The OS works very well though if your subject stays still. Focussing speed seems pretty good to me. For £700 (amazon list it at that sort of price), I just don't think it has any competition.
 
This sigma 150-500 HSM OS is better then the Nikon 80-400 VR. Like any long zoom hand held the lens will be abit of challenge specially on the long end ......

The 80-400 Nikon focus slower then the sigma.
 
I bought the Sigma 150-500 OS Canon version in january and can't really find anything bad to say about it. I had a Canon 100-400 IS L already and wanted a second long lens for my 2 bodies. Eventually I sold both bodies and bought a 5D3 so I didn't need two long lenses. I tested them both extensively and in the end I kept the Sigma.

The IQ between the two was negligable, the AF speed was about the same but the Sigma handled better in failing light than the Canon and the OS of the Sigma was much better than the IS of the Canon. Weight isn't a problem either and I use this lens handheld all day with no ill effects. This lens is very sharp, even wide open, and with the OS I managed to get a handheld shot at 1/10sec at 150mm. This is by far my most used lens at the moment and is brilliant for aviation and bird shots.

I bought mine from www.panamoz.com and they currently have it for sale at £611 http://panamoz.com/index.php/hot-de...m-for-canon-digital-and-film-slr-cameras.html and normally p&p is £9.99 by UPS (fully trackable). Delivery is usually around 4 working days although last time I ordered I received my lens in 3 days (ordered monday afternoon, arrived thursday morning) and if you email their customer services you can arrange to pay by bank transfer and get a 5% discount meaning you can get it for £590 delivered. I highly recommend Panamoz and will look there first for all my future purchases.

Aviation,
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Birds,
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1/10sec handheld.
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I have this lens on my Nikon d90 and I love it yes it does need fairly good light to work effectively. I use mine for wildlife and motorsport mainly. It's fairly heavy. But i love it. I have taken some good pics with even by my weak standards. I'm glad i brought the lens. I got mine second hand from here.
 
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