Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 DG HSM OS Lens

[Geoff F]

Most of the complaints about the Sigma 150-500, Tyler, concerned a batch of early lenses which had auto focus problems. I did have the batch numbers but I'm not sure what I did with it.

I haven't heard of any problems recently.

My lens certainly works well, right up to 500 mm; but subject to the comments above about slightly slow autofocus and needing reasonable light to shoot at the optimum apertures which are between F8 and F11.

I also have a Sigma 180 macro lens which gives excellent results.

Most of the complaints about Sigma quality, as far as I can see, refer to their budget lenses which are produced down to a price instead of quality being paramount. And these problems are likely to occur with any ultra cheap lens.

A little while ago, I purchased a secondhand camera which came with a Sigma 28-300 lens which, in my opinion, wasn't fit to be used as a doorstop! But what can you expect at that price.

[Geoff F]

There are a few recent examples taken with the 150-500 lens here Fishing boats entering harbour in a rough sea

Mostly at 500 mm and a couple of them were angled a bit too close to the sun.

[beechdale basher]

Thanks Geoff.

How far away would you estimate that you were away from the boat?

[Mark von Kanel]

These were all taken at 500mm hand held OS on some of them from a moving boat id just bought the lens from B&H and was playing in NY

[Dave Humphries]

Stop it Mark, you're making me want one!

and we already have three lenses in common - people will talk

(good shots btw)

[Mark von Kanel]

Soon to be four... the 70-300 is next on the list, in fact if i was not about to drop 3k on lighting (thanks Colin)!! it would be on the way!!!

oops typo 70-200 f2.8!!

[Dave Humphries]

Soon to be four... the 70-300 is next on the list, in fact if i was not about to drop 3k on lighting (thanks Colin)!! it would be on the way!!!

and I'm about to buy a Canon S100, would have been S95!
oh, and I wanted the Tokina too, but it won't AF on my D5k, so I guess I'll have to get a D7k one day

[Colin Southern]

Soon to be four... the 70-300 is next on the list, in fact if i was not about to drop 3k on lighting (thanks Colin)!! it would be on the way!!!

Question: "What do you call $3K on lighting?"

Answer: "A start"

Then you can start getting softboxes / snoots / grids / barn doors / reflectors / gels / light tables / flags / stands ...

[beechdale basher]

Hi Mark,

What about this one http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-300mm.htm

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Mark,

What about this one http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/28-300mm.htm

Hmmm, it is about twice the price of the 70-300mm, but I must admit, on a DX camera, I do find the 70mm end is often too long.

[beechdale basher]

Will have to hope that Santa is kind to us then

[Mark von Kanel]

Why is everybody so keen for me to spend my hard earned cash ????

Peter the 28-300 is 3.5 - 5.6 where as the 70-200 is fixed 2.8 the 28-70 f.28 is also there on the list.......

Colin (you can learn to dislike people you know ) im spending pounds my dear boy, not those piddly NZ $ and ive only got a back bedroom to light!!! No stop messin and tel me if my idea about PW triggers will work???

[Colin Southern]

Why is everybody so keen for me to spend my hard earned cash ????

I have to have SOME fun here

Colin (you can learn to dislike people you know ) im spending pounds my dear boy, not those piddly NZ $

Not much difference at the moment is there

No stop messin and tel me if my idea about PW triggers will work???

Umm, thought I did, but in another thread ... Did I miss something?

[beechdale basher]

Just another question about these long lenses: If instead of opting for sigma 150-500mm I opted for the "bigma" 50-500mm would the OS and AF work with my Nikon D90? Where would I need to look to find this info?

I have attempted to google for the answer but with no success.

[Geoff F]

Thanks Geoff.

How far away would you estimate that you were away from the boat?

I suppose between 200 and 400 yards, maybe a bit more for the Davrik. Put it this way, I was on the cliff path above Queen's Head and the boat was coming round the Mewstone. Not really a lot of help I suppose.

But there was also quite a bit of moisture in the air for the Davrik shot, so it turned out better than I expected.

I have shot insects with reasonable success using a 25 mm extension tube, obviously on a tripod.

By the 50-500, I assume you are talking about the newer OS version not the previous one. I haven't heard many reports either way on the newer model but the previous one was well liked by wildlife photographers.

The downside is, heavy, slow focusing and expensive; which is why some people chose the 150-500 instead. However, providing it is a Nikon mount, I can't see any problem with the D90.

There are quite a few Bigma users on this UK Wildlife Site Photo Forum section.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...phy-equipment/

[Mark von Kanel]

Ahhh now Peter if you read my posts carefully you will note that it is the 50-500 that i have and ill still be in your neck of the woods end of november so you can try it for yourself. i have no problems with it at all.

mark

[beechdale basher]

Now then Mark I had gathered that you have a 50-500 but you are using the D7000 which is far superior and yearned for than my little D90. As the reviews below say

"The 'feel' of the new, D7000, camera is far closer to the D300S though, thanks to its heavy-duty magnesium alloy construction."
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's build-quality

"The Nikon D7000 is an excellent enthusiast's DSLR... Ultimately, the D7000's specification is hard to argue with."
dpreview.com | talking about the D7000's overall-performance

I am hoping that my back will be better by the end of November so that we can meet up.

[Mark von Kanel]

nothing wrong with the d90 peter it was a toss up between that the 7k and the canon 7d i just liked the feel of the 7k is all, and at my level i probably over spent, but one of the other crew member has a d90 and it works fine with the bigma

mark

[beechdale basher]

Hi Mark, I replied to your post earlier this morning but I appear to have lost it. Cant remember what I said either. The medication that I am taking makes me tired and forgetful.

I really like my D90 even though it is way above my ability and knowledge at the moment. After reading various reviews, which were all good, I decided to buy something to grow into. Due to the onset of my "dammed bad back" I have been unable to put in the hours needed to get to know the D90 technically. It has also robbed me of the time that I would have liked to spend bird and wildlife watching.

After speaking to you, on this forum, seeing some of your images, the views of other members of this and other forums and the generally good reviews about the 50-500mm it seems to me that this is the way to go.

Another general point is how interesting, to me anyway, it has been to watch how this thread has meandered around almost like a conversation between mates in the pub. This is probably how these things are meant to work but when you see the attitudes and language of members of other forums it is quite refreshing.

Thanks once again