Moon 10-03-2008

[funhouse69]

I bit the bullet and bought a Sigma 150-500mm. Of course I had to see how it performed with a few moon shots. This was my first try a few minutes ago. Unfortunately I only had time for a few shots before I got blocked by my tree line.

My settings for this were ISO 100, 1/30th /Sec @ f/9. This was tripod mounted with a wired remote and mirror lockup.
http://funhouse69.smugmug.com/photos/385881774_yJd55-XL.jpg

[Johnny9s]

Looks like you got a nice lens! I really like the colour.

John

[funhouse69]

Looks like you got a nice lens! I really like the colour.

John

As mentioned this is my first post with this new lens. If I look back on all of my other posts taken with my 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS, I was cropping them at 100% and they were sharp as can be. This one leaves a little to be desired...

I guess that makes me a Pixel Peeper ???

[Celestron]

Still very nice ! I have the SIgma 135-400 f/4.5 and it does leave things a little soft but switch that to grayscale and do some USM in PS and it will look better !

[Raikyn]

Looks good :)

You've managed to get the exposure correct and get good detail. Wel done :)

[funhouse69]

Thanks for the compliments - I will certainly give this lens a few more tires and hopefully it will deliver :-)

[funhouse69]

Here's a couple more shots of the moon from tonight.

1. Taken with the Sigma 150-500 OS
http://funhouse69.smugmug.com/photos/387431279_TqarJ-XL.jpg
2. Taken with Canon 70-300 IS
http://funhouse69.smugmug.com/photos/387431189_zhvVR-XL.jpg

[markjpcs]

Great moon shots!

[funhouse69]

Thanks - I did some comparing / testing tonight and I see that the Canon 70-300 has batter IQ then my copy of the Sigma 150-500. With that in mind I think I am going to return the Sigma and maybe give the Canon 400mm f/5/6 it is only a little more money.

[Johnny9s]

You won't be disappointed with the 400 f/5.6. It takes a 1.4 teleconverter very nicely without any image degradation and gets you to 560mm.

It is also a great wildlife lens as well.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2139870155_4131b4bdaf_o.jpg

John

[funhouse69]

Wow that is an awesome picture...

I've been very impressed with each Canon Lens I've purchased and have been disappointed with some of the non Canon's I've bought in the past.

With that said, I have no doubt I will be impressed with the 400mm f/5.6. Of course I would LOVE to get my hands on either of the 400mm IS Versions or (wishful thinking) the 500 or 600mm lens. They look like awesome lenses but can't justify the cost since this is only a hobby for me :-)

[Johnny9s]

I have had the same bad experiences with non canon lenses. Now I only buy Canon and haven't regretted it yet. If there is a lens I really want I make sure I save the little extra and get an L lens every time. The 1.4 teleconverter was one of the better purchases I made as I can use it with my 400 f/5.6 and I can also use it with my telescope for astro-imaging.

[funhouse69]

Thanks Johnny

I should have known better and admit I tried to get something longer "On the Cheap". As you can see by my Signature I also believe in Canon Glass and love every single "L" Lens I have.

Right now the longest "L" I have is my 70-200 which is an awesome lens but just isn't long enough for a lot of the stuff I like to do. I think that the 400mm will be a good investment for me at this point and who knows maybe someday I will be able to afford a 500 or 600mm. The best thing is that L Lenses seem to hold their value pretty well so if / when I decide to upgrade I should be able to recover a high percentage of my original investment.

I just got the RMA for the Sigma, hopefully they will process the refund quickly so I can turn around and order the 400mm :-)