BigMa Owners - to OS or to NOT OS

so i am looking at getting this beast of a reach lens with a 70d. Guy at local shop has it used but without OS. he wants $1k for it...
but I figure if I walk in with CASH.. I am also getting a 70d NEW from him... I want to see the best deal he can do..

but with that said... I want it for the reach of the 120 yard soccer field which is usually ok lighting but the sun does go down at times.

I know people say you turn IS off on a lens with IS when doing sports. I never do so just looking for thoughts...

Might want to come right out and say what lens you are asking about - not everyone knows all the nicknames. Why turn IS off?

gasrocks wrote in post #16731071
Might want to come right out and say what lens you are asking about - not everyone knows all the nicknames. Why turn IS off?

gotcha sorry bout that..

I am talking about the sigma 50-500 OS vs the sigma 50-500 non OS

IS turned off... I dont do it but was told from people and always read up here.. that you are shooting @ faster shutter so IS is not needed and should be off. But then IS should be off on a tripod too..

thus IS is only good for low shutter hand held stuff...

I always leave IS on. Thinking it only helps at ower shutter speeds is false.

When I used a 150-500 for birds I kept IS on at high shutter speeds. I found it helped me track and maintain focus on flying birds better.

hmm so this lens without OS may not be something for me to look at then... but also adds a lot of cost to the lens...

Use a monopod.

IS should always be left in the On position unless your using a tripod. Some lenses with IS will actually cause movement when IS is on and mounted on a tripod. Some have no effect at all. If you have a good head and set of legs there is no reason to keep IS as it will not help.

To find out if your lens with IS will have problems when mounted on a tripod, just manually focus in live view at 10x (while on the tripod) and verify your image is rock solid stable. Then turn on IS. If your image remains stable, then your lens/IS combo will work well with the tripod and can always be left in the on position. If the image starts moving then always remember to turn it off.

"hmm so this lens without OS may not be something for me to look at then..."

I wouldn't rule it out, though, if you're getting a decent deal on it. I now use a 400/5.6 with no IS, and don't miss it. As gasrocks says, use a monopod, but in decent light you should be able to use a high enough shutter speed to hand hold it.

Using a monopod is about more than shutter speed. It is also about not getting your arms tired and having the lens up and on target, ready to shoot.

gasrocks wrote in post #16731513
Using a monopod is about more than shutter speed. It is also about not getting your arms tired and having the lens up and on target, ready to shoot.

I purchased a monopod and have never really used it. Since most of my stuff has been fast shutter and light setup I havent needed it but good point. At least I have it and will definitely get a use out of it if I go this route.

I am going to talk to the higher power and let "Her" know I am using 1/2 my bonus and getting a 70d and this lens and see her reaction. if all goes well gonna go and order up!

thanks for all the info guys! I feel the 70-200 just doesnt have the reach I need as my 55-250 on my crop can be short many of times and I utilize the 55 part too so thus why i am considering the 50-500. I know the picture quality wont be top notch but I am also doing this as a dad hobbyist (but need to not stand on the coaches side as I assistant coach!!!!)

he wants a $1,000 for the old 50-500mm non OS? that's a total rip off...that lens sells for like $600 tops...what's he charging for the 70D? I'd shop somewhere else...

I'd rather have OS...if you want to get OS, and stay under $1K look at the sigma 150-500OS

DreDaze wrote in post #16732384
he wants a $1,000 for the old 50-500mm non OS? that's a total rip off...that lens sells for like $600 tops...what's he charging for the 70D? I'd shop somewhere else...

I'd rather have OS...if you want to get OS, and stay under $1K look at the sigma 150-500OS

I agree. In fact, with the 150-500 OS selling for 700-750 USD used, I wouldn't consider the 50-500 non-OS at all if you are willing to buy used.

runninmann wrote in post #16732793
I agree. In fact, with the 150-500 OS selling for 700-750 USD used, I wouldn't consider the 50-500 non-OS at all if you are willing to buy used.

The 50-500 has slightly better iq than the 150-500, but the price is definitely too high.

A problem with that lens (50-500) is you will need to shoot early and often. As the sun starts getting low, you will lose your shutter speed. You do know that the lens switches to 5.6 or maybe even 6.3 when it is above 250mm. It has been awhile since I owned it so I kinda forgot all of the technical details.

And if you add a 1.4x, you may lose your autofocus at long lens settings.

By the way, I always used a monopod when shooting sports. You would be hard pressed to tote than lens around for several hours shooting hundreds of shots. Been there done that many times.

Good luck.
Mike