bigma, photos and opinions sought.

have the opportunity for a bigma at 650, and am seeking opinions, and pictures.

If it's a good copy snatch it up at that price. It's a much loved lens around here, do a search in the archives and pop over to the nature/animal photo section. If you want sample images go to www.pbase.com, camera database, sigma, 50-500.

Cheers.

Pop over to Transportation too - it's a great airshow lens.

Now someone correct me if I am wrong but isnt there two Bigmas? The original one and the one remade for digital? If its the film bigma I wouldnt spend a nickle on it since it wont work on a digital body. If it is a fairly new one for $650 then I would go for it.

Third party lenses can and do get confusing because of their compatibility issues.

The old one works just fine on a digital body - most of my airshow pics in my galleries are with the old Bigma and a 10D or 30D. The new Bigma has a new coating - designated by the DG('Digital Goop'?) moniker - and that's it. I wouldn't hesitate getting an older Bigma at a good price.

http://tomyi.smugmug.c​om/gallery/575260
All taken with the Bigma on various Canon bodies.

Very good lens and that is a very good price (I assume that is US $'s?) I had the older non-DG and no problem at all with my ex 300D. Mine was a great copy which, after going through the Canon 300mm and 100-400mm IS L's afterwards, really made me appreciate its IQ and usability - 50-500mm really is amazingly flexible. Great wildlife lens but need light and a good platform. Some can handhold it and some can't ... I used to be able to but now struggle due to shake.

how hand holdable is it if at all with a 1diin body?

nycgrip wrote in post #2486811
how hand holdable is it if at all with a 1diin body?

All my shots with the Bigma are hand held, as I don't own a tripod.

Some of my pics are on my gallery Here Light conditions need to be fairly good though.

cjm wrote in post #2461949
Now someone correct me if I am wrong but isnt there two Bigmas? The original one and the one remade for digital? If its the film bigma I wouldnt spend a nickle on it since it wont work on a digital body. If it is a fairly new one for $650 then I would go for it.

Third party lenses can and do get confusing because of their compatibility issues.

Christopher,

the 'newer' version merely has a new coating, designed to minimise internal reflections bouncing off the shiny sensor. it's not in any way special for digital otherwise. i have the pre 'dg' version and it works great.

as for handholding it on a 1 series body- it's very doable with some practice.

here is an early morning shot from my safari in 2005 - handheld - 417mm@ 1/250

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I'm seriously considering gettong one of these lenses. I mainly shoot sport and often cricket and surfing from up to 50- 60 metres away. My main quandry is whether or not this lens with it's higher apature values will isolate my subjects enough? Or should I maybe go for a Canon 300mm f/4L? Is there anything else in this price range? What about the Tamron 200-500mm? Any opinions greatly appreciated

My former Bigma was a non-DG, if I recall correctly.

This lens is good, but demanding on its operator. You must have the physical strength to hold it especially at a 45 deg angle pointed up at the sky. I can hold it parallel to the ground just fine, but swinging it around the skies and dragging it around in the field proved a bit too much for me. An investment in a good monopod is highly recommended. Give yourself time and patience to master it... and I take my hat off to those who do.

sounds like a steal... I rented one last year and I was impressed with it. I had to use a monopod - it's a beast!