SIGMA / BIGMA

Well... I gave up on the 24-70 f/2.8L..... but, when I went to return it, I saw the Sigma EX 50-500. I've heard some good reviews on it, so I went for it.... plus now I have extra cash for a nice prime! Anyway, in case there was ever a shadow of a doubt... here is a shot I just took 5 minutes ago with this big-gun.... not bad if I do say so myself (and for my first NON-Canon lens, I am impressed!).

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EXIF as follows.... for those who really care:
Camera Model Name
Canon EOS 20D
Shooting Date/Time
1/7/2006 11:48:33 AM
Shooting Mode
Manual
Photo Effect Mode
Off
Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/30
Av( Aperture Value )
9.0
Metering Mode
Evaluative
ISO Speed
100
Lens
50.0 - 500.0mm
Focal Length
500.0mm
Image Size
3504x2336
Image Quality
Fine
Flash
Off
White Balance
Auto
AF Mode
Single AF
Parameters
Tone Curve Standard
Sharpness level 0
Color tone Normal
Noise reduction
Off
File Size
840KB
Custom Function
C.Fn:00-0
C.Fn:01-1
C.Fn:02-0
C.Fn:03-1
C.Fn:04-0
C.Fn:05-0
C.Fn:06-0
C.Fn:07-1
C.Fn:08-0
C.Fn:09-0
C.Fn:10-0
C.Fn:11-0
C.Fn:12-0
C.Fn:13-0
C.Fn:14-0
C.Fn:15-0
C.Fn:16-0
C.Fn:17-0

Nice shot. Let see some more! I'm hoping to get one of those sometime. Probobly after I get a 70-200 2.8 though.

I've been eye-ballin' one of those for surfing pictures.

A bit more than I have on hand right now, though, but definitely something I'll have in the future...

Steve

I love that lens. If you want samples but don't care what they're of...

Here's a couple girls' field hockey snaps:
http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200509​22-012.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200509​22-036.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …NHOCKENBERRYSHS​FH-086.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …NHOCKENBERRYSHS​FH-087.jpg

Here's a night-time stadium soccer game. I pushed the he77 out of it since I didn't have anything faster at the time.
http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-017.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-020.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-029.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-059.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-064.jpg

http://i14.photobucket​.com …to/bigma/200510​04-080.jpg

Oh yeah, baby! Nice shot of the moon! I found a nice copy used on eBay. One of my best investments.

I must confess I find myself missing the Bigma once in a while. It really is a f-i-n-e lens.

Have to add my bit too, I have and love this lens, damn hard to beat the range and quality of the lens for the price. Great bang for you buck$. Nice shots you have shared also guys and I'm certain the more you use the Bigma Axena the more you will enjoy it. I've known many people who have owned one, sold it and then at some point missed it enough to go buy it again.

Jojo, still enjoying the 100-400, nothing wrong with those at all so why miss the Bigma or is it just that bit extra reach on occasion.

Both Bigmas I had (non-DG then DG) produced excellent IQ throughout the focal range and apertures. For a 10x zoom to do this is nothing short of fantastic. For $900 you get 50-500 unbeatable range, excellent IQ, superb build, ninja silent and swift HSM and FTM, and just an overall lovely gem. She'll always have a place in my heart...

Doh! After purchasing everything in my signature apart from the body and kit lens in the past month and a half, my husband asked me today if I was satisfied with my kit yet. I had told him yes...

DOH!!!

i love mine as well. i find it definitely loves daylight and generally the monopod, as well. i love it's quick zoom for rugby and other team sports. it's sharpest at about 7.1

here is a handheld, early evening shot from south africa @ 1/400 @f5.6 iso 640
http://www.pbase.com/i​mage/45407410.jpg

heh - here's one on the 10d - also @ 5.6 - my younger son playing up a grade - and getting tackled by a much bigger girl...
http://www.pbase.com/i​mage/54503735.jpg

Those were all awesome shots..... THANK YOU all for confirming that I made the right choice with this one! Obviously, it will work harder in low light or night-time sporting events, but, right out of the box today, it was just tack-sharp, no issues, autofocus was quick, and I tested it in the parking lot on a rather dark and overcast day. I got a sharp image and I was hand-holding it.... right then I told my guy... "SOLD!" If it will give me a sharp hand held shot at 500 on a dark day, then I can only imagine the possibilities of this baby on a regular, sunny/light overcast day.

Now, I am not going to go SIGMA crazy from now on... still just purchased the 17-40L, but maybe one of us out there has a SIGMA f/2.8 24-70????? I have heard 75% good reviews about this lens, particularly better as the lens gets towards the 2005 time-frame.... worse reviews appear to be 2004 and 2003 copies.

If I can get a good EX 24-70 2.8 Sigma..... my lineup of lenses will be done! Oh yeah, except for the 35L and 85L....... oh and the 135L and the 300L..... oh and the... never mind... guess I'm not done...

Oh yeah..... don't pass on a 70-200 2.8L.... it's probably Canon's best zoom, and one of the most versatile lenses out there...... I would definatley grab that one first.... I have the f/4 version, and am exctatic about my copy, so I saw no need to upgrade to the 2.8 as I usually use a different zoom indoors. You can't really go wrong with the 70-200.... it just so.... loveable!

Soon as I get more shots under my belt with this BIGMA I'll post em!

Great stuff! Nice stop-action, and even not so bad under what I am sure were not the best lights at the night-game. I know even at my own local high school I have to really push it with the 70-200 f/4..... so I know the BIGMA will be hard to shoot with at night games..... but hey..... that's what makes this fun! You got some great shots even in terrible light.

The day shots are great! Thank you!

Awesome (wallabe?) shot! Not sure of the animal's name, but I love it! Nice sports shot too! Thank you! I am so excited now for today to go out and just SHOOT SOMETHING... ANYTHING! I have no wildlife around me, well, except some skateboarders.... and surfers.... so, I will try them out first. Thank you again for the post!