Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Bigmos

I use it on my 450D, most of the results here
http://www.****net …t.php?tag=Hayat​h+Mohammed

...if its a good value for the money, then i would be a fool to pass up on it new for $967 including free shipping.

Edit... I did not pull the trigger fast enough. By the time I got home from work, and tried to purchase it, the discount at abe's of maine was gone. Then it came back, but not on this lens, then it was gone again. I am through with them. Gonna go the b&H or adorama route.

Edit #2.... trigger pulled thanks to B&H's facebook sale on select lenses... $999. Not too bad.
(Now how do I change my signature... I have not had a need to update it in a while)

Here's my dilemma.

I recently sold my 7D & purchased a 5D2. I love the 5D2 but miss the extra "reach" I had with the 7D and my 70-300L. I find myself missing the ability to photograph those far away birds.

So my question is this. Add a 7D to my bag or purchase a Sigma 150-500 to regain my lost zoom range? I know the Sigma is a bit cheaper way to go, but what do you think will give me better IQ? The 70-300L f/4-5.6 on a 7D or a Sigma 150-500 f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO on a 5D2?

Thanks for your opinions.

what about a 2x tc for your 70-300L?

I thought about that too, but then it's like an f/11 on the 5D2 and I'd worry about the IQ dropping.

it's been too long since i picked up this lens...so i took it out on the shortest day of the year ...some shots, all benefited from OS as the sun had just about set.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/algregoire/6565​617321/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/algregoire/6565​626355/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/algregoire/6565​638507/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/algregoire/6565​656651/

My husband surprised me with this lens for Christmas. This is the second shot taken with it. Little did he know, now I'll need a new tripod and a UV filter..... This is our son.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/debby_ab/657066​3503/

^ Congos on the gift, I'm sure you will enjoy the reach

Another one of the Indian roller

And here's an "out of the box" shot of a 3" fish @ 500mm, f8

Got the Bigmos today. I think I single handily ruined the mild winter we were having. It is now gloomy, and forecast to be that way for the next little while. It will be sunny later next week, but at 18 degrees, maybe I will look at the sun out the window.

As for my first impressions, I was glad to get the new finish. I actually saw one on Flickr that was the new finish except for on the 2 rings and the tripod bracket. Kinda looked bad. Mine however is smooth all over. It focused fast, even in what I would consider low light. The OS does make a soft click/clunk type noise when it fires up and spins down. Slight jump in the view finder, but nothing more than my other OS/IS lenses. I cannot hear the OS run, just when it starts and stops. All in all I am pleased with the purchase so far, and have no indication that I will be disappointed in the future.

The size, well, the size is big. Even knowing that coming into it, I was still stunned by the size. Seeing pictures of it online, even of people holding it, does not do it justice. This is not a walk around lens. It may be the first lens that I don't carry everywhere. Normally I have all of my lenses with me at all times when I am out. This one will be the type of lens that you have to purposely take with you, with thought. I will carry this pretty much only when I am going out to shoot, not just on walks in the woods with the family. I will post some once I can.

As noted above, weather is down right terrible. If I had not wanted to go out an play, I would never attempt to shoot in these conditions. The wind was an issue 30-40 mph, with very heavy overcast. My standard PP, since that is what I will normally do with the lens. (My PP skills are not very well developed.)

boufa wrote in post #13630333
As noted above, weather is down right terrible. If I had not wanted to go out an play, I would never attempt to shoot in these conditions. The wind was an issue 30-40 mph, with very heavy overcast. My standard PP, since that is what I will normally do with the lens. (My PP skills are not very well developed.)

boufa,

This first photo is my favorite! I really like the water splashing around the goose. From what I can tell here the focus does look good. Have you done a 100% crop on the goose?

I also have the Sigma 15-500 but I have problems getting it to focus on what I want focused whether it be a bird or the moon and my PP skills are not very good.

That is a crop, about 25% of the initial image was cropped away. I can only imagine what I might be able to get when the sun actually comes out. Did a few shots just to see the focus and it looks good. Very difficult to try to test such a huge lens in tropical storm force winds. Started with a tripod, liked it, except it was difficult to stay mobile. Switched to a monopod, and felt more comfortable. This thing is gonna force me to commit and make more decisions earlier in the process. I'm uses to wandering down a trail and ahooting whatever jumps out. This thing seems to want to stake out a spot and shoot what happens by.

Some realy nasty bokeh

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

do you have a filter on the lens?...i've never seen bokeh like that on mine