the Bigma

[csnudelman]

I keep hearing about this lens. Just what is it? The 50-500mm Sigma? Why would someone want it and what about the image quality?

[jaypie77]

It is the 50-500 Sigma and people want it because it has good focal range, takes pretty good pictures, and costs a lot less than the Canon focal equivalents. I haven't used on of these, but I've seen some pretty great pictures taken with the Bigma and if you aren't willing to plunk down $5k+, this is a pretty good alternative. It's pretty heavy though.

[condyk]

It's a superb lens when used correctly. What that means is it likes light and it likes secure holding or mounting. Meet those needs and you will be blown away. Image quality is the best bang per buck outside the 50mm II. Very popular with wildlife and bird shooters and so even has excellent resale value. I miss mine: took some very nice shots. If it had IS it would be top of the long zoom tree!

As to weight well I think it's overstated. Handling is excellent. It even has a combined carry handle and tripod mount which makes carrying a breeze.

[csnudelman]

Would not the Canon 70-200L f/2.8 and 2x TC be better? And toss in the 50mm f/1.8 if really needed.

[LightRules]

Would not the Canon 70-200L f/2.8 and 2x TC be better? And toss in the 50mm f/1.8 if really needed.

No, the Bigma smokes the 70-200IS+2xTC. Even though I now use the 70-200IS, the Bigma is optically amazing, especially considering it's a 10x focal range lens; not easy to do. For $800 there is nothing like it. The images at my site below don't have the TCs attached, but I've done plenty shots with the TCs on the Bigma, 70-200EX, 70-200IS, and the Bigma is a league above. It's right there with the 100-400L.

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/3telezooms

[condyk]

Bigma $999.00 latest DG version
Canon non IS/TCon/50mm combo $1,454.85

Go and shoot with both options in real conditions and see which you prefer. At least you will have a basis of comparison, i.e. price, performance and handling. I'm pretty sure I know the answer :p

Let's not even THINK about UK prices ... :rolleyes:

[jbradc]

For me BigMa was a Big Disappointment. I ordered one a few weeks ago, kept it for 5 days and returned it. I did test shots on a tripod at high shutter speed and was disapointed with the image quality and build quality. I guess I could have got a bad copy, but I am going to order the Canon 100-400 L as soon as the refund hits my credit card.

[condyk]

For me BigMa was a Big Disappointment. I ordered one a few weeks ago, kept it for 5 days and returned it. I did test shots on a tripod at high shutter speed and was disapointed with the image quality and build quality. I guess I could have got a bad copy, but I am going to order the Canon 100-400 L as soon as the refund hits my credit card.

Maybe you should have tried some lower shutter speeds and taken time to get to know the lens. As for build quality ... am amazed! The thing is built like a tank! ;)

[jeffherald]

Condyk,


I am looking into this lens as well. I have two questions: 1) how "hand-holdable" is it really? I want to use it for auto races and air shows where tripods are not very useful because of panning, and 2) is the zoom on this lens a push-pull or twist? I prefer the twist type. I rented a 100-400IS for a race once and found it difficult to adjust to the push-pull zoom. Maybe I just wasn't used to that.

I use the cheap Canon 75-300 III USM (which everyone complains about, but I like it) and I am used to its movement. It is pretty light but weight isn't a real big issue to me. I think the Bigma would serve my needs because I could take just that lens to an event and not have to carry my 24-70 as well.

What is your opinion? I am not a pro so I do not require the absolute highest quality (which I can't afford anyway).

Thanks for your input.

[jbradc]

Maybe you should have tried some lower shutter speeds and taken time to get to know the lens. As for build quality ... am amazed! The thing is built like a tank!
Lower shutter speeds would only make any camera movement more noticable. I used the lens quite a bit under different lighting conditions and like I said, I was not impressed. Maybe I got a bad copy. But the build quality was not good at all, the zoom ring was tight then too loose.
Just one guys experience maybe I got a lemon :-(

[condyk]

1) how "hand-holdable" is it really? I want to use it for auto races and air shows where tripods are not very useful because of panning

2) is the zoom on this lens a push-pull or twist?

What is your opinion? I am not a pro so I do not require the absolute highest quality



If you don't want the highest quality then the Bigma is not for you :lol:

Quality is high and for the cash it is unbeatable. You will love it but as with any lens make sure you get a good copy by doing loads of test shots in good conditions. At 500mm it will begin to soften a bit, but at 400mm it is easily equal to the 100-400mm from shots I have seen ... and I am being absolutely objective here.

The zoom is a twist type and the barrel extends. It is all fine and the lens handles very well. Sigma zoom and focus rings can be stiff for a few weeks after new but they do get easier and then stay that way.

Any large zoom is not ideally suitable for handholding unless it is very fast and you are very steady. The Sigma demands lots of light to give its best. It is not a lens for swinging around P&S fashion, but is any reasonably priced zoom without IS? I am linking a sample shot 100% crop (and a detail shot 100%) to show what it can do hand held in the hands of a semi half-wit (me!):

www.buzzdns.com/lion1.jpg
www.buzzdns.com/lion2.jpg

The EXIF shot data is:

Shutter: 1/160
Aperture: f5.6
Focal Length: 313mm
ISO: 100

Are you sure you can't get a tripod head that can be used for panning? I have seen them I'm sure, but that kind of shooting isn't my interest so I dunno. Maybe costs big money. Muzz here uses my ex Bigma for plane shots and he loves it! Higher shutterspeed will help for sure 1/500 minimum I guess for moving around 1/800? Try it and see what different settings produce. You won't get instant great shots, unless luck plays a part, but care for it, play with it, use all your experience on her (ooops :o :lol: ) and MAYBE you will love it! What about the AI Servo mode or Sports mode. You'll need to play.

[csnudelman]

My gosh, now we are hand holding this 4+lb lens? Gee...I almost always, AND I MEAN ALMOST ALWAYS (95% of the time), carry my monopod and a Leitz table-top tripod. Often I also have my tripod nearby. If I'm at a theme park for most of the day with the grandkids I carry my G5. If one forces him/herself to shoot every, AND I MEAN EVERY, shot (well, 96.5% anyway) for two or three weeks the difference would be very noticeable. But, no. Very few do this and then talk about the fantastic results from a gosh awful heavy (usually 3rd party) lens being hand held. The even smaller format of most digital DSLRs compared to 35mm demands even better stability. That lens reminds me of the one jacket, two pairs of pants, reversable vest "4 piece suit" from some years ago that could be worn 17 different ways and they all looked cheap (taste wise). :cool:

[Hellashot]

[QUOTE=fStopJojo]No, the Bigma smokes the 70-200IS+2xTC. Even though I now use the 70-200IS, the Bigma is optically amazing, especially considering it's a 10x focal range lens; not easy to do. For $800 there is nothing like it. QUOTE]

Where are you buying it for $800? I've only seen $1000 from reputable places.

[LightRules]

eBay usually has them in this range. The new DG version will run about $900-$950, though I don't believe there's much optical difference between the 2 versions.

[condyk]

My gosh, now we are hand holding this 4+lb lens? Gee...I almost always, AND I MEAN ALMOST ALWAYS (95% of the time), carry my monopod and a Leitz table-top tripod. Often I also have my tripod nearby. If I'm at a theme park for most of the day with the grandkids I carry my G5. If one forces him/herself to shoot every, AND I MEAN EVERY, shot (well, 96.5% anyway) for two or three weeks the difference would be very noticeable. But, no. Very few do this and then talk about the fantastic results from a gosh awful heavy (usually 3rd party) lens being hand held. The even smaller format of most digital DSLRs compared to 35mm demands even better stability. That lens reminds me of the one jacket, two pairs of pants, reversable vest "4 piece suit" from some years ago that could be worn 17 different ways and they all looked cheap (taste wise). :cool:

I put this through Babel Fish Translation and still couldn't understand a single thing you are trying to say. I think it is an insult, or a criticism of the lens, or both. But because I note you have a Leitz table-top tripod, rather than any old 3rd party table-top tripod, I will give you the benefit of the doubt.

[jeffherald]

Thank you for all of the information!

I am not sure what benefit there is of trying to use a tripod, even with a panning head, to try to track fast-moving objects like race cars and airplanes. Movement is still part of the equasion. I am pretty steady and have had success in the past with getting good shots at 300mm handheld. Since these are outdoor events usually held in daylight, I ususally shoot at 1/500th of a second or faster. That helps negate shaking (in my experiance). Still, I haven't used this monster yet, so it may not work so well. I am pretty sure a tripod would not be very welcome in a crowd:D .

The benefit to me would be to go to an event and not have to carry my entire camara bag, which is also heavy. I like the range and clarity of this lens. It would be nice to be able to pan a race car or airplane and then turn, zoom back to 50mm and photograph a person or some other object or a wider scene without having to change lenses. It *seems* like a good idea. Still I would like to try one in practice (see my other posting in this forum).

[csnudelman]

condyk wrote,

"I put this through Babel Fish Translation and still couldn't understand a single thing you are trying to say."

Try plain English.
-------

"I think it is an insult, or a criticism of the lens, or both."

Have you tried plain English yet? I addressed lens weight only (BTW, Canon makes heavy lenses too).
-------

"But because I note you have a Leitz table-top tripod, rather than any old 3rd party table-top tripod, I will give you the benefit of the doubt."

You are just a peach of a person, are you not?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Would not the Canon 70-200L f/2.8 and 2x TC be better? And toss in the 50mm f/1.8 if really needed.

Nope.. the Bigma was much better than the 70-200mm IS and a 2X.

As for @ 50mm.. it is the worst and most expensive 50mm lens made.. :lol:

But very few buy it for 50mm... I pretty much allways used mine at 500mm :)
I'd would have been just as happy with it if it were 300-500mm.

[jbradc]

Well, I just ordered the Canon 100-400 L. It will be here tomorrow and I will put it through the same test shots that I put BigMa through, we will see what happens.

[condyk]

Very nice choice. I'm sure you'll Love it ... it would be my first choice too if I wasn't paying European prices. Shopping around I could just about get it for equivelent of around $2000 new here.

I take it you didn't fancy the Sigma 80-400mm OS then :lol: :lol:

[Penance]

Try plain English.


LMAO:lol:
oh the irony

[Hellashot]

eBay usually has them in this range. The new DG version will run about $900-$950, though I don't believe there's much optical difference between the 2 versions.

I'm not about to spend that kind of money on a shakey ebay transaction.

[cc10d]

I believe you will like the 100-400 IS L, The IS is a boon to handhold the 35 mm equal of 640mm and the zoom is quick for when the subject is closer. I just love this lens. I will be interested in what your opinion is/

[felix21685]

pff you guys dont know what you are talking about !!
the sigma 70-300 NON APO will kick those lenses butts !
:D lol...ok its a joke..wish i could get either of those lenses.!