Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary

yeah, I'm not yet ready to part with my "WIDE" 70-300L IS

I am really tempted by the Sigma. Like Will, I have the 70-300L that sees lots of usage and quite often use a Kenko Pro 1.4X with it but frequently want more "reach". Primarily with my 6D and occasionally with my Wife's 60D. Keep thinking about the Sigma Sport versus the Contemporary. Yea the Sport is significantly heavier but has better build and sealing. Just wonder for a hobby shooter if there really is any value to going for the Sport to make the cost and weight worth it. Then I look at all the pictures and happy posts of the new 100-400L II but know it won't take my 1.4X in auto with my cameras. Options options. Yea the Contemporary is probably the best for me.

Thanks for the feedback. IF ONLY (yea) the new 100-400L was F4 with the 1.4X to allow autofocus.
Lots of great photos here with the Sigma. Very impressive.

The guy over on Fred Miranda compare the sigma C vs canon 100-400 II bare and with TC. The difference is negligible and the difference there is only the stupid pixel peepers would find running a comb through it at a 100% measurebating.
I'd never even consider the new 100-400 over the C and would advise anyone looking go with the C if you don't mind the weight and want to save a ton of cash.

I decided to venture out this evening after packing for another work trip. Managed to find a few birds.

600mm - ISO 1600 - f/11 - 1/640th

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tTkS​Ed

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tVGW​Aa

Just hanging around

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tVWF​cC

I'm reading the new Review of the Sigma 150-600mm Sport from Bryan "click here"

Its interesting to read some of his specialized comments in shooting at 400mm++.
One relevant note is that atmospheric "Haze" and heat waves easily interfere with out shots - especially over long distances - so be careful shooting over long distances in hazy/hot conditions (best to fill your frame at 60mm of course)

And this was interesting reading, which is my experience too, although I blamed insufficient FOV instead of shutter speed:

"Don't underestimate the shutter speed required to stop motion at 600mm. An in-action subject that was photographed at 300mm will need a significantly faster (figure 2x) exposure duration when photographed at the same distance (same subject framing) at 600mm due to the subject crossing twice as many pixels in the same time period. Because reaching for higher ISO settings when shooting fast action is frequently necessary, the narrow aperture may be the biggest detriment to final image quality when using this lens in comparison to a wider aperture prime lens option."

FOV is still a problem in my opinion but I have not yet completed reading his full review. I thought posting this was a good resource since they are somewhat similar lenses - and both share special considerations of shooting at 400mm++. Our lenses need really good light conditions.

Immaculens wrote in post #17580246
I'm reading the new Review of the Sigma 150-600mm Sport from Bryan "click here"

Its interesting to read some of his specialized comments in shooting at 400mm++.
One relevant note is that atmospheric "Haze" and heat waves easily interfere with out shots - especially over long distances - so be careful shooting over long distances in hazy/hot conditions (best to fill your frame at 60mm of course)

Its very true
When I was shooting this FoV sequence I was initially disappointed with the 400++ shots, but I realised it was a warm hazy day, as I know it isn't the lens itself from the dozens of sharp images I have taken at those focal lengths.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/s82V​hy

i want one so bad for my 5D3, planning phoenix zoo trip

A high ISO image I took yesterday evening, in really low (overcast/rainy).
Still stuck in the max ISO 400 era, but this shot from my 6D tells me to up the ISO is possible.
As Immaculens pointed out, the higher ISO might me useful for our lens in less than better light.

At this moment I keep the lens to 500mm at max, providing very good image quality.

The haze you mention might caused me some issues as well, looking back at a warm bright sunny day, that resulted in bad picture quality.

Why are you stopping at 500mm? Unless you did testing I wouldn't be at all worried about going further. I see very little difference between there and 600. Coming from a Sigma 50-500 the 600 on the C is better than anything i was regularly using for birds on the Bigmos.

oxygen45 wrote in post #17581713
Why are you stopping at 500mm? Unless you did testing I wouldn't be at all worried about going further. I see very little difference between there and 600. Coming from a Sigma 50-500 the 600 on the C is better than anything i was regularly using for birds on the Bigmos.

My (limited) testing so far gave me the impression that 500mm will give me better IQ, so that is why.
But since you are saying the 500mm is more or less the same IQ as 600mm I might retest again.

Secondly I'm struggling to do MFA on 600mm since I cannot determine how to do this for the longer distances. (it might me good).
Any tips?

Thanks

avdbrandt wrote in post #17582153
Secondly I'm struggling to do MFA on 600mm since I cannot determine how to do this for the longer distances. (it might me good).
Any tips?

My approach was to use the licence plates on a parked car and a house that had some good sharp contrasty elements like windows about 100 mtrs away.
Put the camera on a tripod, and then just manually work though the MFA adjustment settings till I found one I thought the best.
Which turned out to be -4 for me.

lozw wrote in post #17582191
My approach was to use the licence plates on a parked car and a house that had some good sharp contrasty elements like windows about 100 mtrs away.
Put the camera on a tripod, and then just manually work though the MFA adjustment settings till I found one I thought the best.
Which turned out to be -4 for me.

So you take 41 images (-20 till +20) and compare them in lightroom or DPP (DPP shows the MFA value I found out).
did try something similar but did not see very little difference, I think I used the wrong subject (traffic sign) to do this test.

Do you see much difference IQ wise between 500mm and 600mm?

anyway thanks for your help, this weekend I try again.

Regards
Antwan

lozw wrote in post #17579251
Just hanging around

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/tVWF​cC
Just Hanging Around by lozwilkes, on Flickr

wow nice shot, I like the same level here, makes it an unusual view.