New lens for my Canon XSi. Will it be overkill?

[w1ljmm]

I am interested in buying a new lens for my XSi. I am looking to take pictures of wildlife (specifically birds). I was looking at the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG HSM OS. Can anyone tell me if this lens will be fast enough for this use? Will it be too much lens for taking close ups. Also ! Does anyone own this lens that can speak for its quality?

[EOSThree]

That's a lot of lens, but I wouldn't say any lens is too much for your Xsi. The trouble I see with this lens is that autofocus may be difficult with it. F/5.6 is usually where AF systems start having trouble focusing, so at f/6.3 there may be trouble autofocusing. You may have to manually focus at the long end, and that can be difficult with certain subjects, birds in flight being one of those subjects.

[dizzy]

I know of lots of people who have the bigma and use it almost soley for bird shots. Not heard a bad word said about it yet. Improving your glass is always a very good step forward!

[Norfindel]

I know of lots of people who have the bigma and use it almost soley for bird shots. Not heard a bad word said about it yet. Improving your glass is always a very good step forward!

I think there's a confusion here. Isn't the 50-500 the lens that got called "bigma"?

[sprichmal]

I think there's a confusion here. Isn't the 50-500 the lens that got called "bigma"?

I'd agree. The bigma was definitely the 50-500!