500mm - Eeeek

[MattUK]

So it's been a while since I spent a silly amount of money on a lens, and I'm starting to get itchy feet.

At some point in time, I'm planning on doing some wildlife shots (possibly on safari). I'm thinking my Tamron 70-300mm (that I bought about 2 months ago ) isn't going to cut the mustard.

So I'm thinking of getting the Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Nikon fit. It's a fairly serious amount of money, but after researching, it appears to be optically better than anything else in the same sort of area (bar a Canon lens). Plus I can sell the 70-300 to at least take a chunk of the price off.

I was toying with the idea of getting a faster lens but with a smaller focal range, and then using a converter on it, but it appears the 2 stops impact of using a converter and potential issues with auto-focus mean that this isn't an option.

So does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? My main objective is to reach 400-500mm, and prioritise image quality.

Thanks for any thoughts.

[Cathus]

I have the Sigma 50-500 & the Canon 100-400.

I bought the Sigma after the Canon because I wanted the extra reach at airshows.

Whilst I use the Canon 100-400 quite regularly, I only used the 50-500 for the first time in two years last Sunday & that was only because I lent it to my daughter & we had to swap cameras when her camera battery ran out so I used it for a while.

The Canon is a better lens.

The Bigma is very heavy, & is not too hot when light levels aren't quite bright.

I don't have the image stabilised version though my experience with IS in the Canon at 300-400mm isn't that great, due to the weight & balance at the longer range you still need fairly fast shutter speeds. No idea if Sigma OS is any better at the longer end.

[amk1977]

I'm sure both beat the granny out of my fixed aperture Tamron SP500 f/8!

No AF. No IS/VR and unless its a bright day, you can totally forget about hand holding it, at least I can due to a tremor in my hands. Just for a laugh, I stuck the x2 teleconverter on the back of it. Even tripod mounted or rested on a beanbag, the amount of movement created from camera shake is immense!

Heard a lot of good things about the Sigma from wildlife togs. Obviously it has its drawbacks too but, that sure is one heck of a useable zoom range!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by MattUK

So does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? My main objective is to reach 400-500mm, and prioritise image quality.

Thanks for any thoughts.

I have the Bigma 50-500mm and it's a cracking lens, but at the 500mm end it does need bright light or you can struggle with focus. You could also look at the Sigma 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens as it costs £300 less, but again you need bright light to get the best from it.

Mifsuds have a Sigma 300mm F2.8 at £1,499 and a Sigma 1.4 converter and/or Sigma 2x converter at £129/£169, which would give you 420mm F4 or a 600mm F5.6 all secondhand.

[SieSmith]

I agree, bright light conditions are needed for the 150-500 Sigma (I have the Canon fit version). The 500mm end is really quite soft and i try to limit my use to 400mm. (The 50-500 looks sharper at the 500mm end than my lens looking at the reviews on Lenstip.com)

Maximum aperture I can use is f8 throughout the zoom range and still retain what I deem to be acceptably sharp shots. The OS works quite well, but it does take a while to kick in (also with quite a noise) and is quite a drain on the battery.

But for the money it's quite good and all I can hope to get for the moment.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Sie

[cosmicma]

i went down the sigma 500mm route a while ago and to be honest as allready said above 400mm they arn't at there best
eventually i have settled on a canon 300mm F4 L prime and the canon 1.4x teleconverter and as far as image quality is concerned it's very good
you lose the versitility of a zoom but when shooting wildlife you tend to be at the far end of the zoom anyway so it's not realy much of a sacrifice

if money is a concern and it certanly is for me where my photography is coincerned the above combination can be had second hand at very reasonable cost if you go for the non IS F4 L
i think it's the cheapest quality combination that can be had on the second hand market

[MattUK]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm Nikon, so no Canon option for me I'm afraid.

Sounds like the 50-500mm is the way to go then. I better get saving!

[Cathus]

Sorry Matt,

being a Canonite I tend to talk in terms of Canon equipment by default. I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you get one, but build up those arm muscles!

[cosmicma]

Originally Posted by MattUK

Thanks for the feedback. I'm Nikon, so no Canon option for me I'm afraid.

Sounds like the 50-500mm is the way to go then. I better get saving!

for some reason i thought you used canon my bad

a freind of mine had the 50 - 500mm bigma on a d300 he got some quite pleasing results out of it but it was a little soft above 400mm but the results were still acceptable

[James Blonde]

Matt, I follow someone on Twitter who is currently reviewing the Sigma on the D7000 I think - I'll post the link when I get home if you want?