"Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison

LightRules · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Well, after a few days of love and labor, I've posted my findings between the Sigma 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG HSM and the Canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6 L IS USM.

You can find the link here and feel free to comment at any of the particular test pages http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/bigmapump

Don't strain your eyes...

CyberDyneSystems · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Great review/comparison.
I must say that we agree on these lenses to a frightening degree, though I never had them side by side.. (by the time I got the 100-400mm, my Bigma was long gone) my recollections are very similar.

turbodude · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Awesome thanks again for teh review and comparison!

David S · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Great review. Good to see some real world shooting examples.

T Kubik · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

looks like the L wins! The colors from the L are much nicer!

Though, for the price, the sigma is probably worth it!

CountryBoy · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

I think they are really close. Except, as you noted. on the "edge" .Where the Canon, is better.

Very well done,as usual .

Any chance to see a Tamron 200-500 and Bigma showdown ?

cjm · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

"Dust trombone"

That is so funny

Tee Why · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

I think the dust pumper is slightly sharper at 200mm and 400mm which is interesting since it's at the end of it's focal length range. I noticed that the bokeh at 400mm is nicer on the bigma though.

I agree with you. I don't think the difference is big enough to show up on processed shots but the old pumper seems a tad sharper. I really didn't see much CA with either one of the zooms, so that 's a good thing.

Thanks for another good comparison. Now we can see that the difference is pretty small between the two.

Personally I'm a fan of the Bigma for the range and the price. I've used the dust pumper a few times and never liked the old style zoom, but I agree that this is a personal thing and you can easily learn to use either zoom with a little practice.

Now if Tokina only releases the 16-50, you can get some rest after testing that.

grinchy · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

I keep hearing that the 100-400 is a "dust trombone" but have yet to see a claim that backs this up.....*-)

Hellashot · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightRules

Well, after a few days of love and labor, I've posted my findings between the Sigma 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG HSM and the Canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6 L IS USM.

You can find the link here and feel free to comment at any of the particular test pages http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/bigmapump

Don't strain your eyes...

The only thing about your test is that the Bigma is very likely already at f6.3 at 200, 300, and 400mm because it never reports a minimum appeture of f6.3 so that your camera will be able to autofocus with it since the camera will "think" the appeture is f5.6 when it is really f6.3. Given that, the 100-400 is a bit sharper of a lens to get as good if not better sharpness than the Bigma when the Bigma is using smaller appetures.

I have the Bigma and it's a great value for the focal range. It's a great lens, but there are sharper lenses and much faster lenses too.

LightRules · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellashot

The only thing about your test is that the Bigma is very likely already at f6.3 at 200, 300, and 400mm because it never reports a minimum appeture of f6.3 so that your camera will be able to autofocus with it since the camera will "think" the appeture is f5.6 when it is really f6.3

Incorrect. The Bigma DG on my 20D test body reports (in Av mode) exactly what I posted at my main test page [max apertures of]: 100mm f5, 200mm f5.6, 300mm f5.6, 400mm f5.6, and 500mm f6.3. Again, only at around 460mm and on does it report f6.3.

Also, the 1-4 and Bigma, in Av mode, report identical shutter speeds when set to corresponding apertures, under identical lighting conditions. It isn't at f6.3 until around 450mm-460mm +.

LightRules · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryBoy

Any chance to see a Tamron 200-500 and Bigma showdown ?

Sorry, CB, no plans in the making. You can feel free to pick one up though and send it my way.

LightRules · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinchy

I keep hearing that the 100-400 is a "dust trombone" but have yet to see a claim that backs this up.....*-)

I personally haven't seen much dust problem, but others seem to say otherwise. But it must have gotten its nick for some good reason

LightRules · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee Why

Now if Tokina only releases the 16-50, you can get some rest after testing that

You're still loaning me your "good copy" of the Tamron 1750 for the comparo, right?!

CountryBoy · 30th of March 2007 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightRules

Sorry, CB, no plans in the making. You can feel free to pick one up though and send it my way.

I'll have to pass.

Think i'll just stick with my 100-300 for awhile longer. It does a decent job .

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#1
LightRules "flat out embarrassing" Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 9,895	"Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison Well, after a few days of love and labor, I've posted my findings between the Sigma 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG HSM and the Canon 100-400 F4.5-5.6 L IS USM. You can find the link here and feel free to comment at any of the particular test pages http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/bigmapump Don't strain your eyes...

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#2
CyberDyneSystems Wait, all that time and all I get is "Cream of the Damn Crop" ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Providence RI Posts: 37,465 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison Great review/comparison. I must say that we agree on these lenses to a frightening degree, though I never had them side by side.. (by the time I got the 100-400mm, my Bigma was long gone) my recollections are very similar. __________________ GEAR LIST CDS' HOT LINKS My POTN Share Threads Jake Hegnauer Photography

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#3
turbodude Goldmember Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Las Vegas BABY!!! Posts: 2,706 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison Awesome thanks again for teh review and comparison! __________________ My Twitter: http://twitter.com/powersimagery My Blog: http://powersimagery.com/blog My Website: www.powersimagery.com My Job: Vegas Magazine \| Retna LTD \| Tao/Lavo Las Vegas \| Espn.com \| UFC My Gear:Gear List

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#4
David S Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Jolla, CA Posts: 543	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison Great review. Good to see some real world shooting examples. __________________ 5d Mark III \| 5d Mark II \| 24 f/1.4L II \| 50 f/1.2L \| 85 f/1.2L II \| 24-70 f/2.8L \| 70-200 f/2.8L IS II flickr

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#5
T Kubik Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 1,032 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison looks like the L wins! The colors from the L are much nicer! Though, for the price, the sigma is probably worth it! __________________ -Tom C&C always appreciated! Gear list: 5D MKII + 24-105L http://WWW.TOMKUBIKPHOTO.COM Last edited by T Kubik : 30th of March 2007 (Fri) at 18:59.

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#6
CountryBoy "Tired of Goldmember label" Join Date: May 2006 Location: Okie Posts: 5,168 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison I think they are really close. Except, as you noted. on the "edge" .Where the Canon, is better. Very well done,as usual . Any chance to see a Tamron 200-500 and Bigma showdown ? __________________ Hi Last edited by CountryBoy : 30th of March 2007 (Fri) at 19:54. Reason: 300 to 500

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#7
cjm Goldmember Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 4,737 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison "Dust trombone" That is so funny __________________ Christopher J Martin Gear: 1D MKIII - 60D - 40D - G9 - 24mm f1.4 L - 24-70mm F2.8 L - 70-200mm IS f2.8 L - 100-400 f4.5-5.6 IS L and more...

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#8
Tee Why "Monkey's uncle" Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 10,579	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison I think the dust pumper is slightly sharper at 200mm and 400mm which is interesting since it's at the end of it's focal length range. I noticed that the bokeh at 400mm is nicer on the bigma though. I agree with you. I don't think the difference is big enough to show up on processed shots but the old pumper seems a tad sharper. I really didn't see much CA with either one of the zooms, so that 's a good thing. Thanks for another good comparison. Now we can see that the difference is pretty small between the two. Personally I'm a fan of the Bigma for the range and the price. I've used the dust pumper a few times and never liked the old style zoom, but I agree that this is a personal thing and you can easily learn to use either zoom with a little practice. Now if Tokina only releases the 16-50, you can get some rest after testing that. __________________ Gallery: http://tomyi.smugmug.com/

30th of March 2007 (Fri)	#9
grinchy Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 942	Re: "Bigma" versus "Dust Trombone" - Comparison I keep hearing that the 100-400 is a "dust trombone" but have yet to see a claim that backs this up.....-) __________________ Body: 40D Lenses: Canon 50mm f/1.4* *Canon 85mm f/1.8* *Canon EF 24-105mm f/4* Misc: *580EX*..Better Beamer..4 & 8gb Ridata 150X CF..Opteka Battery Grips..Kenko 1.4 TC..UV Filters..Lowepro Slingshot..Tripod

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