Would this be worth buying?

[Ant]

Hi,
I'm planning on getting a Canon EOS 350D (body only) and the Sigma 50-500mm lens. to prevent the issue of what itll be used for the answer is bird photography.

[stevo]

In word YES,but that`s only my opinion.

Cheers Steve.

[postcardcv]

I'd say yes too.

I use a 350D, and after initial doubts I now love it. My brother uses the Sigma 50-500 (with a Sigma dslr) and gets great results.

One thing I would say is it's worth budgetting for everything you need before you buy it - you'll probably want a spare battery (about £10 on ebay), some cf cards (I'd recommend a minimum of 1gb in total, but get more if you can), a tripod (manfrotto ones are great but will probably set you back £150ish) and something to carry your kit in (a Lowepro mini trekker could be a good one to go for).

[greypoint]

The only word of adviced I'd give is to try it out for handling first - lightweight camera - heavy lens - I'd just make sure you're happy with how it feels.

[Ant]

I'd say yes too.

I use a 350D, and after initial doubts I now love it. My brother uses the Sigma 50-500 (with a Sigma dslr) and gets great results.

One thing I would say is it's worth budgetting for everything you need before you buy it - you'll probably want a spare battery (about £10 on ebay), some cf cards (I'd recommend a minimum of 1gb in total, but get more if you can), a tripod (manfrotto ones are great but will probably set you back £150ish) and something to carry your kit in (a Lowepro mini trekker could be a good one to go for).


Memory for me is not a problem as ive got a 2 128, 1 256 CF cards and a 1GB microdrive, so thats about 1.5GB in total, plus there relitvely cheep these days, Battery: good idea to have at least one spair, i know what it's like to have the battery die just as you see something worth photographing. Tripod, I'll be sticking with my jessops tripod for now I just won't fully extend it unless im in a hide where it souldn't be affected by the wind. Bag, I defiantly need one of these. So in total once ive bought everything that ill need for certain it'll set me back about £1600 (not includeing a new tripod)

Anthony

[Pelerin]

Worth buying?

I would not wish to appear smart/clever, but your question is a little vague!!

What do you want to use it to photograph??

Whilst this is called "BIRD Forum", there are many who take images of insects/flowers/mammals etc etc, and many of these are better achieved with lenses of a different focal length to that you have stated.
Ask yourself, will it work with a tele converter on the camera you have chosen, AND will the camera of your choice still FULLY function etc etc with this lens.
As a lens in its own right it is capable of turning out very good images, look through the image gallery on this site to see some outstanding images.
Get a good price and note that this lens has been updated to a DG VERSION so make sure if you are buying new, and it's NOT the latest, that you get a good price.
If you have not already seen/handled one, then you should note it is heavy, and you may need to get a mono/tri pod to get the best from this lens.
regards Pelerin.

[Ant]

I'll bear that in mind when next go to jessops.

[Ant]

Worth buying?

I would not wish to appear smart/clever, but your question is a little vague!!

What do you want to use it to photograph??

Whilst this is called "BIRD Forum", there are many who take images of insects/flowers/mammals etc etc, and many of these are better achieved with lenses of a different focal length to that you have stated.
Ask yourself, will it work with a tele converter on the camera you have chosen, AND will the camera of your choice still FULLY function etc etc with this lens.
As a lens in its own right it is capable of turning out very good images, look through the image gallery on this site to see some outstanding images.
Get a good price and note that this lens has been updated to a DG VERSION so make sure if you are buying new, and it's NOT the latest, that you get a good price.
If you have not already seen/handled one, then you should note it is heavy, and you may need to get a mono/tri pod to get the best from this lens.
regards Pelerin.

I photograph Birds most, and this a update from my 35mm kit (which is a bit battered now).

[Ant]

The only word of adviced I'd give is to try it out for handling first - lightweight camera - heavy lens - I'd just make sure you're happy with how it feels. I'll bear that in mind when I go to try it out, but I'll try it with a heavier camera though.

[Ant]

Hi All,
I found a reveiw of the Sigma 50-500mm 'Bigma' being used with the Canon EOS 350D. the reveiw is about the lens but it does show that this combernation seems to work well together, dispite the huge difference in the size and weight of the lens compaired with the camera.

Heres the reveiw that I found:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_50500_463/index.htm

[GavinM]

I use that lens on my D2x and it's great, but you need to know that your jessops tripod will NOT do it with this lens. I had the big Jessops Atlantic and it was rubbish. Now have a manfrotto which is a bugger to lug around but makes a big difference to my images. You need to mount the lens, not the camera, to the tripod and none of the Jessops ones (I've got most of them) can handle that much weight pivotting around.

[postcardcv]

My initial problems/doubts about the 350D were all about it's weight and size - just seemed too small to me. However having used it for over a month now I am getting used to it. I also use it with a big heavy lens and it can be an issue. I have just (yesterday) got the battery grip for the 350D and it has massively improved the handling. It is much nicer in the hand, balances better with a long lens, and makes shooting in portrait much easier. The RRP is about £140, but if you shop around you can get one cheaper - I paid £89 for mine, well worth it.
I'd agree that a good tripod is well worth the money spent, I've had a number of Manfrotto tripods over the years and woudl highly recommend them.

[Tyler Vargo]

The 350D looks very odd stuck on the back of that Bigma... I'd say that would be an OK birding kit but if you can afford a little bit more I'm sure the 20D would be even better. With either camera you should get a battery grip with that monster lens.

[bjeanne]

I recently bought the Bigma (DG) for my D70. Whilst it is big, using manfrotto magfiber (055) with the junior geared head (410) so total weight approx. 14 lbs, I had no problem managing it the 5hours I was out with it the first time.I am also very pleased with the lens, much moreso than my Nikkor 70-300ED, not just the extra reach but the quality of the photos. I am distinctly an amateur photographer and was shooting totally on manual for the first time. Attached are a couple of the results


Barb

[hedward]

Hi,

I had a look at this combination you are talking about and from what I've seen the cheapest you can get this kit for is about £1288, but that gives you a max of 500mm at F6.3.

Why dont you, instead of getting the Bigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG for £759, get the Bigma 170-500mm F5.6-6.3 APO for £438.99 and also get the Sigma 1.4x converter for £139.99. That gives you a 700mm lens at F8.0 for a total price, including the camera... of £1108.00.

Hedward

[Tyler Vargo]

Why dont you, instead of getting the Bigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG for £759, get the Bigma 170-500mm F5.6-6.3 APO for £438.99 and also get the Sigma 1.4x converter for £139.99. That gives you a 700mm lens at F8.0 for a total price, including the camera... of £1108.00.
Hedward
I wouldn't reccomend that... You'll loose a lot of quality and you'll loose AF when you put the TC on. The whole reason the Bigma is so popular is that it is a great lens, I'm saving for one myself.