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

[BigEasy]

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




Just picked this one up. Was hoping to get the Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4 VR, but I didn't want to wait another year to rustle up the funds. I read mixed reviews on the Sigma, but took the plunge.

Although I have been hauling it around with me for a month I have only really had one opportunity to put it to work. The below are a few samples of a mixed day (from very cloudy to bright sun) on the beach. I was about 200 to 1000 + yards away on most to these shots.

So for I have been satisfied.. it focuses quick and seems to be sharp. The Optical Stabilizer motor is a bit noisy and has a distinct click.. not really a healthy sound. But I checked a few and they all sound alike. So I'm assuming it's normal.

I'll post more as I get the chance to really run it through it paces.

Examples:

Nikon D300 : @500mm (750mm Full Frame Eqivilant) : 1/2000th : f7.1 : 400 ISO : Aperture Pri : Auto Exp : 0 Exp Comp, Handheld





Nikon D300 : @400mm (600mm Full Frame Eqivilant) : 1/1600th : f6.3 : 400 ISO : Aperture Pri : Auto Exp : 0 Exp Comp, Handheld




Nikon D300 : @190mm (285mm Full Frame Eqivilant) : 1/500th : f9 : 200 ISO : Aperture Pri : Auto Exp : 0 Exp Comp, Handheld





The full series using the Sigma 150-500mm can be seen here.


.

[Calvin1Calvin]

I have been thinking of purchasing one of these for bird photography. Are you satisfied with the quality? I have a Sigma 120-400 and found it does a good job, however, at 400I have to crank up the ISO on the D300 or D700 to get the shutter speed I need.

[TRWhite]

I too have been thinking of getting a Sigma Lens for use on a D60. But I have been leannig toward the APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM

I am not sure how much differance there is between the F4-6.3 and the
F5-6.3.

Tim

[lokerd]

Here are a few from the 150-500:



Model: NIKON D300
ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/2000 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Focal Length: 450mm



Model: NIKON D3
ISO: 500
Exposure: 1/800 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Focal Length: 500mm



Model: NIKON D300
ISO: 500
Exposure: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 8.0
Focal Length: 500mm



Model: NIKON D3
ISO: 640
Exposure: 1/400 sec
Aperture: 6.3
Focal Length: 450mm



Model: NIKON D3
ISO: 500
Exposure: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 8.0
Focal Length: 500mm



Model: NIKON D3
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/500 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Focal Length: 500mm

[pcallen]

lokerd,

Were those handheld?

[lokerd]

Originally Posted by pcallen

lokerd,

Were those handheld?

Yes, all hand held. :)

[BienDong]

I just ogt this lens, last week.

Canon EOS 30D
1/1000s f/9.0 at 267.0mm iso200


Canon EOS 30D
1/250s f/9.0 at 150.0mm iso200


Canon EOS 30D
1/1600s f/9.0 at 439.0mm iso400


Canon EOS 30D
1/2500s f/9.0 at 439.0mm iso400

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by BienDong

I just ogt this lens, last week.

Canon EOS 30D
1/1000s f/9.0 at 267.0mm iso200


Canon EOS 30D
1/250s f/9.0 at 150.0mm iso200


Canon EOS 30D
1/1600s f/9.0 at 439.0mm iso400


Canon EOS 30D
1/2500s f/9.0 at 439.0mm iso400

[BigEasy]

A few hand held at 500mm, without any filters...

[chempilot]

i think y'all just sold me on this lens...thanks for posting the pics!

[mmuhlenkamp]

This is a great wildlife lens for those of us wanting reach and not completely break the bank. The OS works great (I've been able to take photos at 500mm as slow as 1/125th). It's not as sharp as the Canon 400 f/5.6L or anything, but you can't expect a zoom to be as sharp as a prime anyways. It's a beast to haul around but it's 500mm! With OS! and provides a workout while shooting!

All in all, it's a great value. There isn't anything that even comes close to the price/performance range of this and to get much better IQ at 500mm you're looking at a couple thousand $$$.

Canon 5D, 1/4000th, f/7.1, @ 500mm, ISO 800, Aperture Priority (cropped from original)


Canon 5D, 1/320th, f/6.3, @ 500mm, ISO 1250, Aperture Priority


Canon 5D, 1/2000th, f/7.1, @ 500mm, ISO 1250, Aperture Priority (cropped from original)


It's definitely a beast though, and is a little difficult to handle without a vertical battery grip.

[lokerd]

I disagree with the lens being a beast...PERFECTLY portable. I just got through hiking all around Yosemite with the 150-500...only left it behind a couple of times toward the end of the trip. It was more the 3 cameras and three lenses that did me in on most days.

I am not suggesting these are good or anything...just some I have taken the past few weeks...most a couple of weeks ago from the first of 4 days of 9 in Yosemite. I really like the last one of the Blue Bird hovering in mid-air...watching it swoop down to get insects. We found the nest the parents were taking the food to a little later...and I have pictures of the parents going in and out of the nest. Really cool stuff. All hand-held.

[RRcoleJR]

Guess I will add some from my first real test of the lens. All were taken at the Wings Over Houston Air Show (2010) and hand held. A showing of different focal lengths and how the lens is pretty sharp all the way through.

Canon 7D, ƒ6.7, 1/1500, ISO 200, 164mm


Canon 7D, ƒ6.7, 1/1500, ISO 200, 267mm


Canon 7D, ƒ8, 1/500, ISO 100, 500mm

[tukaniray]

Photos look great ... I was thinking about this lens for motor sports ... Definitely some food for thought here.

Ronnie, your photo of the 2 fighters back to back is awesome. I thought it was photoshopped. Some great fighter pilots there.

-Ray-

[lokerd]

I tried out the new 50-500 OS. I really want it...just hard to justify the extra money for the 100mm on the short end. Another reason to like it was that it was shorter, and it fit better in my TT DH50 better! The 150-500 just BARELY fits.

On a positive note, I continue to capture some great images with the 150-500 that would be just simply impossible with the Nikon 200-400.

Here is one that I was driving down the road, saw a Coopers Hawk eating a dove. I hoped out of the car and crept up on the hak to get this: