Sigma 150-600mm C or stay with 100-400L ( Mk1) ? - Airshow use

I mostly photograph Airshows and have been using a 7D and 100-400L for a while now. I'm happy that I can get good results from my current gear, but I do find that for some of the smaller fighter style aircraft I don't quite have the reach and the aircraft is just too small in the image for a decent image especially if cropping. UK Airshows mean that the aircraft can be higher and further away for safety regulations vs the USA, and I'm wondering of a 600MM lens would give me that reach.

I can't see loads of people using the 150-600c for airshows on here yet, most seem to use it for birds, has anyone got any experience of airshow use?
thanks

Here's a forum member who uses the Sigma...

https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17637991

Also take a look at his flickr photos. Just look for photos taken with his D4s.

Here's another who uses his D750 with the sigma...

https://www.flickr.com …iu/sets/7215765​4633472151

I hope to rent a Sigma "C" for next months air show.

Thanks, the first link is the sports version, which I've tried and would be too heavy for me to handhold for 5 hrs+. The exit on the second lnb doesn't confirm if s or c version, anyone know? Thanks

Sussex Steve wrote in post #17640043
Thanks, the first link is the sports version, which I've tried and would be too heavy for me to handhold for 5 hrs+. The exit on the second lnb doesn't confirm if s or c version, anyone know? Thanks

Well, I asked Douglas, so lets see if he answers.

I'm doing some reading on the net to see how the C & S versions differ IQ wise. So far I'm hearing that the
C is only a bit softer around the edge (of the image). I may have to rent both lenses before I buy.

Looks like Douglas - the second link I posted - is using the C version.
I'm really impressed with the IQ.

so, I decided after trying in the shop to buy a c version, and had a chance to use it for an airshow this last weekend, for those interested, here are a few examples, not ideal as a very hazy day, shooting south slightly into the sun in some shots.

Vulcan 435mm, f10, 1/2000
Red Arrows 600mm, f10, 1/1600

both with a 7d,

General comments i struggled in the haze to get a focus lock at times, but i think i just need more practice especially at the 600mm end. I used the custom settings with improved focus time by using the USB hub.

Nice shots, Eastbourne? Shooting from the clifs does give a nice background, as you are above a lot of the aircraft. I used to like the Lowestoft airshow, now unfortuantly nolonger running. It also offered a small cliff to shoot from. You could get nearly to the same hight as some of the aircraft, and almost exactly on crowd center. My usual spot was about 100 yards left of center, a great place for the Reds opposition pair. Hope to be getting my Sig 150-600 C soon.

Alan

yes. eastbourne, taken from half way up the hill from the beach to beachy head. for many just a bit too far away even for 600mm, but you do get a selection that roll into the display 50 ft over your heads there.

I'll have another practice this weekend, the extra 600mm needs better panning skills to keep things sharp and even track small aircraft, I kept the iso high on this initial test and after LR processing and noise reduction (esp from a 7d)the images are ok but I want to get a cleaner sharper image, conditions and haze allowing I think i should get there as there are some promising shots. Both of these were shot at the full 600mm.

so still learning with this lens, results improving so for airshow use I would suggest that there is a learning curve.

SIgma defintely is the way to go! got better range! and it is very sharp lens! and also the twist over the pump on the CAnon 100-400L Mk 1

DaveC
www.airwingspotter.com

here are some shots!

This reminds me, I finally got the 150-600 C and just in time for the last UK airshow of the season. So I guess I had better share too. Shot on my 50D, and both of these also needed to be cropped by 1/3 (linearly) too, which would have actually needed 900mm to fully frame the image on the 50D. Both were shot at 1/160 f/6.3. The Avro was shot at 16:45 and only needed ISO 200, but the Blackburn in shot 2 was at 18:00 and in the hour and a quarter the light had dropped so that I was shooting at ISO 1600.

Avro 504K

I own both those lens. Each has its use, and I wouldn't part with either.

Here's two from my Sigma C...