Looking 4 opinion on Sigma lens

The longest lens I have is the Nikon 70-300VR and was considering getting something longer like the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM and was looking for opinions or thoughts on this lens or something in this category that should be considered. I don't think I am going to be using it a lot so I do not want to spend a ton of money but do want a lens that will give me reasonably sharp pictures. We don't have a review on our site but I have been doing some research on it but I am still wanting as much information as I can get on it either pro or con to add to what I have already read. I will be using it on my Nikon D7000. Thanks for anything you may have to say about it, Jeff

I am also looking for a gallery that has full sized examples of photos taken with this lens if you know of any.

I can't speak for the Sigma, but I recently tried a Tamron 200-500, similarly priced, same speed, and I would expect to have similar performance. Wide open, it was junk. Stopped down it was much better but still didn't approach the Nikon 70-300.

One limit I had that you wouldn't is it had no built-in focus motor, and my D5000 has no motor in the body.

I know this isn't the lens you asked about, but with the same speed, similar zoom range, priced within a few bucks, I'd be willing to bet a month's pay (not mine, though!) that they'd perform similarly. See my thread on it here.

Jeff I know you are a nikon shooter but here is a link to the canon lens sample picture thread for the "Bigmos" Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Bigmos - Canon Digital Photography Forums

For longer reach beyond 300 I would consider renting one of the nikon primes, maybe 300 f2.8 VR and 1.4 1.7, 2x teleconverters

or maybe buy the 300 f4 afs plus 1.4/1.7 teleconvertes

4 1/2 stars at Amazon I say go for it.

Regarding teleconverters, on Nikon's site there is a compatibility listing, with a bold-face warning that lenses not listed cannot be used. It says the rear elements can contact and damage the teleconverter element.

The 70-300 is not listed, although at 4.5-5.6 it might not be fast enough to autofocus through a teleconverter anyway.

I bring up the 70-300 just because that's what he said he had.

Hi Jeff
I have the 150x500 haven't used it a lot but it seams to work fine for me.
I shot some surfing and with my limited ability I was pleased with it and the price for that zoom range is a good value.

Hi Jeff,

I sold my Sigma 170-500mm to fund the Sigma 150-500 HSM ETC. lens. I was looking for better resolution beyond 100 yards, and certainly got what I wanted for a reasonable price. I managed to purchase one in Sony mount and one in Canon mount (for my Wife) gently used. believe the lens is worth the asking price new.

This photo was taken at range of approximately 160 yards. The nest is on private property so one cannot get closer without trespassing.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6171/6...a3175fe7_z.jpg
23-Sep-2011 Bald Eagle012 by PWhite214, on Flickr

I will try to post some un-cropped photos on Flicker tonight. I am in the process of changing computers and have not updated everything to LR4 on this computer.

I think you would do well to try Sigma lens.

Phil

I uploaded several photos to flicker.

Sigma 150-500mm Sample Photos - a set on Flickr

Phil

Jeff, I am pretty sure that is the same lens Cara Rose rented and used quite a bit. You might check her Flickr gallery to see the images.

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Originally Posted by wfooshee

Regarding teleconverters, on Nikon's site there is a compatibility listing, with a bold-face warning that lenses not listed cannot be used. It says the rear elements can contact and damage the teleconverter element.

The 70-300 is not listed, although at 4.5-5.6 it might not be fast enough to autofocus through a teleconverter anyway.

I bring up the 70-300 just because that's what he said he had.

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Indeed Teleconverters are not for the 70-300, I mentioned a 300mm f4 lens

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Originally Posted by armando_m

Indeed Teleconverters are not for the 70-300, I mentioned a 300mm f4 lens

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You can't physically put a teleconverter on the Nikon 70-300VR, I tried it with the lens I have, Jeff

I just read on another site that someone put a Kenko 1.4 converter on a Nikon 70-300VR and it worked. I tried placing a Nikon 1.7 converter on my Nikon 70-300VR and the glass from each one would have touched if I put them together. I don't know if there is a difference or he wrote up the wrong lens and converter combo, Jeff

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Originally Posted by armando_m

Indeed Teleconverters are not for the 70-300, I mentioned a 300mm f4 lens

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I just mentioned it in case someone sees this and says to themselves (like I did,) "Hey, why don't I ...."

Well, now Grandpaw's got me thinking. I hate thinking, because it's usually expensive!

Googling around for reviews on this lens, it appears that early units were iffy, some good, some not so good, but recently it seems to be well received.

I found this page where the photographer says that 99% of the images are through this lens.

It lists for about 1600 bucks, and they're all over eBay for a grand.

And it will autofocus on my D5000...... Hmmmm..... **** think think think ****

(Speaking of teleconverters, in researching the Kenkos I found multiple references to them not passing aperture information correctly, resulting in a need to set exposure compensation. I never did see anything about AF working through them, although even if it had the mechanical and/or electrical connections, losing that stop or two would probably kill AF with the 70-300 anyway.)

I have looked at a lot of pictures and the vast majority seem to be soft. I cannot determine if it is the lens that is the problem or just that the people don't know how to use a longer lens. A lot of the pictures are taken at slower shutter speeds and you have no way of knowing whether a tripod was used or if it was taken handheld. If a tripod was used and it is soft I do not want the lens but if the problem was that it was shot handheld at a slow shutter speed than that would be a problem with the shooter. I am on the fence with this one, Jeff

Can you rent one for a few days?

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Originally Posted by Frog

Can you rent one for a few days?

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That may be the smartest thing to do and find out for myself, Jeff

Renting is a great idea if you can find one.

I have an older Sigma 170-500mm. I have written about it several times on here in the past so I will try to keep this short. My lens has to be about 10 years old and it has served me well. It's not the best, fastest or sharpest lens out there, but under the right conditions and with proper technique, it gets the job done. The addition of OS along with another 10 years of technology improvements should make this newer lens much better than what I'm currently using.

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

Renting is a great idea if you can find one.

I have an older Sigma 170-500mm. I have written about it several times on here in the past so I will try to keep this short. My lens has to be about 10 years old and it has served me well. It's not the best, fastest or sharpest lens out there, but under the right conditions and with proper technique, it gets the job done. The addition of OS along with another 10 years of technology improvements should make this newer lens much better than what I'm currently using.

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I had a Sigma 135-400 that was an older model and it was fairly soft so I sold it. I am going to take my time looking around before I do anything. I am not sure how much it would get used even if it were very sharp. I am wondering if this $1000 could be spent elsewhere and get more bang for my buck, Jeff

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Originally Posted by Grandpaw

I had a Sigma 135-400 that was an older model and it was fairly soft so I sold it. I am going to take my time looking around before I do anything. I am not sure how much it would get used even if it were very sharp. I am wondering if this $1000 could be spent elsewhere and get more bang for my buck, Jeff

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This is a good question Jeff. I constantly shoot my Sigma at f/9 in order to get sharp images. This makes it even slower and harder to use when the light is low. When I went to Africa a few years ago, I decided to rent a 100-400mm lens. I was willing to give up the length to gain speed and IS and I didn't regret it. I purchased a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens a while back, and about a month ago, I bought a 2x TC. The last few times I have gone out shooting birds, I chose this combo over the Sigma. I still have to stop down to get the best quality, but I found that I only need to go to f/8 instead of f/9. The AF is better than the Sigma, plus I have IS. The bokeh is better too. I do miss the extra 100mm of length, but the advantages of the combo more than make up for that IMO.

Having the 70-200mm f/2.8 in the bag along with the 2x TC makes for a much more useful kit for me. The long lenses are nice to have, but they are not always the most practical.

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

This is a good question Jeff. I constantly shoot my Sigma at f/9 in order to get sharp images. This makes it even slower and harder to use when the light is low. When I went to Africa a few years ago, I decided to rent a 100-400mm lens. I was willing to give up the length to gain speed and IS and I didn't regret it. I purchased a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens a while back, and about a month ago, I bought a 2x TC. The last few times I have gone out shooting birds, I chose this combo over the Sigma. I still have to stop down to get the best quality, but I found that I only need to go to f/8 instead of f/9. The AF is better than the Sigma, plus I have IS. The bokeh is better too. I do miss the extra 100mm of length, but the advantages of the combo more than make up for that IMO.

Having the 70-200mm f/2.8 in the bag along with the 2x TC makes for a much more useful kit for me. The long lenses are nice to have, but they are not always the most practical.

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I have the Nikon 70-200VR F2.8 already. How is the sharpness with the 2x TC attached, Jeff

There is a noticeable loss of sharpness when using the 2x TC, especially when shooting wide open. I stop down to f/ 8 when using the TC and the results are very good. You will still need to add a bit of sharpening in post, but I have found the results to be very good. Both of these images were shot with this combo.

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Originally Posted by mjs1973

There is a noticeable loss of sharpness when using the 2x TC, especially when shooting wide open. I stop down to f/ 8 when using the TC and the results are very good. You will still need to add a bit of sharpening in post, but I have found the results to be very good. Both of these images were shot with this combo.

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These look nice. What size could you enlarge these to and still be able to be good enough to sell, Jeff

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Originally Posted by Grandpaw

These look nice. What size could you enlarge these to and still be able to be good enough to sell, Jeff

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I haven't actually printed anything that I have shot with this combo yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to print these at any size. The bluebird image is cropped a bit so that would limit the size but other than that I don't see anything that would prevent me from making 16x24 or larger prints.