Sigma 150-500

Linda thanks for the update. My mouth is watering for a 150-500 now!

Linda, glad it's been working out for you. You've got to take the Bigmos out to the Back Bay and also Bolsa Chica wetlands and post your shots

LightRules wrote in post #5872262
Linda, glad it's been working out for you. You've got to take the Bigmos out to the Back Bay and also Bolsa Chica wetlands and post your shots

LR: only a true SoCal'er knows Bolsa Chica even esists!! Let alone that there is a wetlands. That is one of the reasons I want this lens soon as I can swing it. There is a wonderful wetlands/bird sanctuary in Santa Barbara which I almost enver visit as I never had a way to get good pics of the birds and other denizens of the wetlands area.

Hope more folks keep sharing their pics and experiences with what I think is a great looking lens for "the rest of us"...

Hi there.
You can also have a look here of photos taken with this excellent lens.

https://photography-on-the.net …0&highlight=Sig​ma+150-500

Deon

All,

Here are two pictures that I took last weekend.

Bird 1 - Pied Bushchat (Juv) from about 15-20ft away.
Bird 2 - Indian Roller (also called Blue Jay) from about 10ft away.

I've done basic processing and sharpened the images.

Look forward to your comments.

Thanks.

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All,

I've added pic of another bird with this post. This is Ashy Prinia. Taken from about 15-20ft.

I've been taking my lens out almost every weekend to get some results. With each week, results have gotten better. Naturally, I've also gotten more used to the equipment and find it very comfortable to take handheld pics as well.

Thanks.

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I really like both of these shots. I am really looking hard at this lens for my longer telephoto needs. Right now it, for me, it is between these lenses. Decisions decisions....

Canon 100-400mmL IS
Sigma 120-400mm OS
Sigma 150-500mm OS
Sigma 100-300mm EX f/4

And I thouight that choosing a camera body was hard!

How would you compare the feel of carrying this lens vs. the Canon 100-400mm? (to those who have used both)

Very nice shots Linda ... seems that in the hands of a decently skilled photographer that this lens can deliver beyond its price.

40Driggs wrote in post #5872698
How would you compare the feel of carrying this lens vs. the Canon 100-400mm? (to those who have used both)

The Canon is less heavy but the Sigma is easier to carry as at has a great tripod mount/carry handle. Of course, depends how each person like to carry their gear. I like the carry handle or just put the lens/body over my shoulder on a monopod. Whatever, the Sigma feels bigger but using the monopod method it makes no odds at all. Both are fine.

A couple from my Sigma 150-500, 20D, Very little pp. I like this lens.

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And a couple more.

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Hey 40Driggs,

Glad you liked the shots.

I used a Canon 75-300mm (no IS, no USM either) lens before I got this one. Probably stating the obvious - I find the Sigma150-500 has far more reach. So, it's a huge bonus for to get both OS and HSM packed into one lens. I must say I'm pretty happy with my lens. I did the Optician's test on the lens at home (I think Neilb has posted his results on another thread) and I found my lens to be sharper (through out) when I stopped down, than at F6.3.

I've taken all shots with my Canon EOS 400D (Rebel XTi as it's called US and Japan). So, my next step would be probably a body upgrade to 40D

My friend who used a Canon 100-400 extensively earlier made an observation about this lens - The 100-400 had a switch for fast focussing objects at short focussing distance (to reduce the lens hunting time, I presume), whereas the Sigma 150-500 doesn't have anything like that. However, with the 100-400 your reach goes down that much.

Note - Sigma 150-500 lens works only with Sigma TC's and I understand you lose AF immediately. I'm not sure if taping the TC helps regain AF.

Hope this helps !!

Thanks for the information. The thought of having the 500mm reach really makes me want the Sigma, even with the added weight. I tried the Sigma out at the local camera store when it first came out and liked the overall feel, but I have never used the Canon L lens to compare it too. I was starting to feel the weight pretty fast, but I am pretty new to photography and am not used to carring something that heavy. How has the lens been handheld for you?

As far as handheld goes, during the initial days I used to find it challenging. It was the first time I was using a strong built lens like this but now, I'm very much comfortable with it.

All the best !

40Driggs wrote in post #5872823
Thanks for the information. The thought of having the 500mm reach really makes me want the Sigma, even with the added weight. I tried the Sigma out at the local camera store when it first came out and liked the overall feel, but I have never used the Canon L lens to compare it too. I was starting to feel the weight pretty fast, but I am pretty new to photography and am not used to carring something that heavy. How has the lens been handheld for you?

I use to own the 50-500 and sold it and got the 100-400. Even though my bigma was 1lb heavier then my 100-400. I found the bigma easier to handhold because you twist zoom and keeps your supporting arm closer to your body. Unlike the 100-400 you pull out the lens to zoom extending your arm and making the lens then feel heavier then it really is.