New Sigmas 120-400 OS v 150-500 OS v Canon 100-400 IS

So Sigma has finally released some new/updated telephoto lenses in their 120-400 f4.5-5.6 EX DG OS HSM (3.33x zoom) and 150-500 f5-6.3 EX DG OS HSM (3.33x zoom). I insert "EX" because I'm fairly certain they are a part of their EX line; they should be as they are HSM and OS updates of their 80-400 EX and 50-500 EX lenses. These Sigmas have (for the first time) both HSM (with full-time manual) and OS (good for at least 4 stops). Canon's (excellent but getting old) 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS USM "pumper" (4x zoom) has true 3rd party competition now. The new OS units will no doubt be superior to the older generation IS unit of the 100-400.

So here's the POLL question: Which one most interests you? Will you stick with Canon? Or are these two Sigma offerings enough to make you bite? If the 150-500 OS is very good optically, it will be hard for me to keep my "prime-like" copy of the 100-400 IS. 500mm is 500mm...with a better stabilization unit. But oh how I do like my Dust Trombone!

As an aside, I think the 120-400 OS will be in the $1100 USD price range and the 150-500 OS around the $1250 USD price range. But they should be less than the Canon. But these are just guesses. Anyway, cast your vote!

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What the?! Who sabotaged my avatar?! JAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: I see it's now been magnified. This is very funny. Ha ha. It's all fun and games until someone's feelings get hurt

The 150-500 is most interesting to me b/c it's got the most reach.
I guess I'll call it the son of bigma.
But I'm not sure if it's worth selling the bigma and spending more to upgrade. Maybe if I used the bigma a lot more. Who knows. I'll wait for the reviews and the price to drop and see if it's worth the upgrade or not.

Tee Why wrote in post #4820434
I guess I'll call it the son of bigma

Tom, it shoud be better than the Bigma, at least theoretically. 10x versus 3.33x with newer design. Everything points to it being a fine lens.

I think the nick for the new 150-500 OS should be the Bigmos (Bigma + OS). Whatcha' think?

I like the 120-400, personally mainly for it's size. 400mm is adequate for me.

The next question I have is when will Sigma integrate OS into the 120-300 f/2.8 ? Also, the Sigma 100-400 now seems like the black sheep in the family, as these lens provide overlap, and better spec's overall. Wonder if that lens is slated for retirement?

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #4820475
I like the 120-400, personally mainly for it's size. 400mm is adequate for me.

Exactly what I was thinking.
I've been contemplating a 100-400L, and now just may have to wait to see what the Sigma can do.............

LightRules wrote in post #4820444
Tom, it shoud be better than the Bigma, at least theoretically. 10x versus 3.33x with newer design. Everything points to it being a fine lens.

I think the nick for the new 150-500 OS should be the Bigmos (Bigma + OS). Whatcha' think?

Nah, I like son of bigma, like son of frankenstein.
I suspect the optics will be better as well. But I think I can wait. I feeling less of a need to buy expensive gear.
Just got a p/s instead.

LightRules wrote in post #4820398
What the?! Who sabotaged my avatar?! JAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EDIT: I see it's now been magnified. This is very funny. Ha ha. It's all fun and games until someone's feelings get hurt

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

The 120-400 looks good. If it turns out the IQ is top notch, and the OS really is a 4-stop stabiliser, AND it's cheaper than the canon, I'm sold.

The 150-500 is too slow for me.

I'm getting the 150-500. I had been planning on the Bigma but had hoped for OS on it. Needless to say, I hope it's available by May, when I will be headed to Kenya, then Malaysia. I'll be packing these:

10-20
18-50
50-150
150-500
30

All the other boys will be staying home...

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #4820477
The next question I have is when will Sigma integrate OS into the 120-300 f/2.8 ? Also, the Sigma 100-400 now seems like the black sheep in the family, as these lens provide overlap, and better spec's overall. Wonder if that lens is slated for retirement?

Yes, how lovely (but expensive) a 120-300 f2.8 OS would be. But I agree that their older 80-400 OS is pretty much a goner. It has been dwindling down in the past year or two anyway. It has no real place anymore, though I could see some still using their classic Bigmas for the range.

Tee Why wrote in post #4820490
Just got a p/s instead.

[I hope you mean you added the P&S to your DSLR]

perryge wrote in post #4820495
The 150-500 is too slow for me.

The 150-500 will be at f5.6 at 400mm. I'm fairly sure about that (like the Bigma is). So it's no slower at the long end of things; you just get another 100mm at the cost of 1/3 stop.

Tony-S wrote in post #4820510
I'm getting the 150-500. I had been planning on the Bigma but had hoped for OS on it. Needless to say, I hope it's available by May, when I will be headed to Kenya, then Malaysia. I'll be packing these:

10-20
18-50
50-150
150-500
30

All the other boys will be staying home...

There is no doubt that this new 150-500 HSM OS (wow that's nice to finally be able to say) will be a top-choice for these kinds of safari treks. I can see good ole' Davey chap (condyk) getting one.

LightRules wrote in post #4820523
The 150-500 will be at f5.6 at 400mm. I'm fairly sure about that (like the Bigma is). So it's no slower at the long end of things; you just get another 100mm at the cost of 1/3 stop.

That's true. But losing AF at the long end (I don't have a 1-series camera) would be annoying, and I guess it comes down to size and weight too. The biggest thing is whether or not it can rival or beat the 100-400 IS in terms of IQ.

perryge wrote in post #4820559
But losing AF at the long end (I don't have a 1-series camera) would be annoying, and I guess it comes down to size and weight too. The biggest thing is whether or not it can rival or beat the 100-400 IS in terms of IQ.

You won't lose AF; it'll AF fine, just like every other f6.3 lens out there (18-200 OS, Bigma, Tamron 200-500, etc.).

IQ should be at least as good. The classic Bigma is close to the 1-4 IS, and this new kid on the block from Sigma is not a 10x but only a 3.33x zoom, which means its design is easier and they can maximize output.

LightRules wrote in post #4820589
You won't lose AF; it'll AF fine, just like every other f6.3 lens out there (18-200 OS, Bigma, Tamron 200-500, etc.).

IQ should be at least as good. The classic Bigma is close to the 1-4 IS, and this new kid on the block from Sigma is not a 10x but only a 3.33x zoom, which means its design is easier and they can maximize output.

This is news to me! I guess it'll come down to price and size/weight and real-world performance.