Sigma 50-500mm OS for birdi photography (1 Viewer)

[Clive Harris]

Hi

Does anyone on the forum have experience in using the Sigma 50-500mm lens (the newer one with OS) for bird photography? I am looking for a lens to go on my Nikon 300S and this is about the maximum I want to spend. I was wondering in particular about the speed of autofocus and wondering how well it works on birds in flight.

Thanks

Clive Harris

 

[alanrharris53]

See here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=170805

I have the 150-500 version so can't really say, but they have both been fairly recent additions to the range and I would imagine they are similar in termsof AF speed (just guessing). I haven't really had mine long enough to tell you much about birds in flight - I have some shots of biggish birds (gulls/egrets/herons) but not really tried on anything smaller.

If you are worried about spending then the 150-500 is about £300 cheaper than the 50-500 and for birds you will almost never want to go below 150.

I always figure it I want a 50mm lens I wouldn't use a big heavy 50-500 f4.5 lens, I'd use the 50mm f1.8.

Some people claim the 50-500 gives better IQ but I find that hard to believe as it is generally accepted that the wider the zoom range the more compromise that have to be made in image quality.

 

[Aegea]

I can't speak to the 50-500, but I had a couple of 150-500's which I returned because of quality issues - the first refused to focus, and the second had serious back focus, so I gave up on them. One thing I did notice was that at close range (20 feet or so) the maximum effective focal length was significantly shorter than 500mm. In fact, I measured it at less than 450mm. I now have a used Nikon 300 f/4 AF and a Tamron (similar to Kenko) 1.4x TC, which I find to be a better birding solution for less money

 

[Fowl Mouth]

See here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=170805
...

I always figure it I want a 50mm lens I wouldn't use a big heavy 50-500 f4.5 lens, I'd use the 50mm f1.8.

Some people claim the 50-500 gives better IQ but I find that hard to believe as it is generally accepted that the wider the zoom range the more compromise that have to be made in image quality.

Some good point here, but I'll play devil's advocate for a moment.

If you just want a 50mm lens, say for landscapes, group shots, etc... yes a 50mm prime is a better option, but it means carrying two bodies or changing lenses, which also means bringing more items in the bag. With the 50-500 you can bring the single camera/lens combo and do all of your shooting with ease. I believe this is the concept behind the lens design.

Secondly, the rumor mill about the 150-500mm OS (before it hit the shelves) was that it should be sharper than the old 50-500 EX non-OS because it was a 3.3x zoom range. This never ended up being the case. I have a 150-500 OS and can assure you it is not as sharp as the original 50-500 EX. So the question becomes "why". I think the answer is simply due to the better glass used in the older 50-500 EX (and presumably the newer 50-500 OS), as well as a slightly different optical train.

I haven't used the 50-500 OS, but the reviews compared to the 150-500 seem to be promising.

I do agree that a prime + a TC would be a better option if you didn't want/need the zoom capability. Resolution is nearly always better out of a prime than a comparable FL zoom at the long end.

 

[alanrharris53]

Re Devil's advocate - feel free, at the end of the day it is a matter of personal choice, but a 50mm/f1.8 weighs nothing compared to a long lens so carrying it isn't too big an issue, it will fit in your trouser pocket.

You are saying that the original 50-500 was sharper than the 150-500 and I can't argue with you as I have never used the former. The specs seem very similar but there is a different in price so maybe it is down to the glass.

Re birds in flight. I forgot I did take some pics on the Farne Islands, a big bird (gannet) here http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan-photos/4824475770/in/set-72157624445207987/ and a small and fast one (puffin) here http://www.flickr.com/photos/alan-photos/4824489466/in/set-72157624445207987/ . I make no claims that they are great photos but I think the AF speed is OK.

 

[pmhowlett]

Scroll down the page to see earlier comments on this lens. Have used it a fair bit more since I made those and still think it is an outstanding lens - far better then it should be given its 10x zoom range.

As to why you would want a 50mm lens as well as a 500mm that's down to what you want to shoot. I also photograph cetaceans which can be a long way away or right alongside and you don't want to be changing a lens just as something comes in close (you don't want to be changing a lens at sea full stop really!). I don't think I've zoomed from 500 out to 50 while photographing birds yet but I have at an airshow.

It's a chunky lens but easy to get good shots hand-held at 500mm with shutter speeds of 125th and f6.3.

The sparrowhawk was taken on a very overcast day iso 400, 1/320, f6.3 through a double-glazed window.

Details for the kite 10 iso200, 1/1250, f8
Kite 13 iso200, 1/1000, f8

All handheld

Peter

 

[alanrharris53]

As I said it is all down to personal choice and as you say what you want to shoot.

The original title of this thread was for Birdi photography and I have never had the 150-500 on the camera and felt I needed to change it to go below 150 when shooting birds. But you may be right for air displays - I did take some pics of lancaster fly by one time and it did get a bit too close.

 

[scottthehat]

i find the 50-500mm alot better than the 150-500mm reasons it goes down to 50mm, even know i take 2 d300 with a 50-500mm os on and an 18-200mm if i have the 50-500mm and am takn photos and need to take a photo at 50mm is quicker to use the 50-500mm as its in hand(dont miss the shot then)
as for image quality the 50-500mm is better(end of)

 

[RMWD]

Hi

Does anyone on the forum have experience in using the Sigma 50-500mm lens (the newer one with OS) for bird photography? I am looking for a lens to go on my Nikon 300S and this is about the maximum I want to spend. I was wondering in particular about the speed of autofocus and wondering how well it works on birds in flight.

Thanks

Clive Harris

Hi Clive, I wonder if you've made a decision yet but I found the the Sigma 150-500 and order sharper than my old Sigma 50-500. I traded one for the other.
I am very pleased with it's performance and have taken many lovely sharp images with it. Furthermore it is relatively light and very handholdable.

I now have a Nikon 300mm f2.8. This is noticeably sharper even with a 2x teleconvertor but I reckon only about 30-50% sharper. On that basis the 150-500 is a bargain.

Cheers
Rich

 

[scottthehat]

Hi Clive, I wonder if you've made a decision yet but I found the the Sigma 150-500 and order sharper than my old Sigma 50-500. I traded one for the other.
I am very pleased with it's performance and have taken many lovely sharp images with it. Furthermore it is relatively light and very handholdable.

I now have a Nikon 300mm f2.8. This is noticeably sharper even with a 2x teleconvertor but I reckon only about 30-50% sharper. On that basis the 150-500 is a bargain.

Cheers
Rich

so you found the 150-500mm sharper than the 50-500mm,(must of had a duff 50-500mm,
i have had 2 150-500mm 1 in pentax mount and 1 nikon and the 50-500mm is defo sharper and focuses faster.
as for the 300mm 2.8 how much,
the 150-500mm is good value, but i even found my 4 170-500mm that i have had have all been sharper than my 150-500mm wide open,

 

[Jaysan]

Looks like Sigma 50-500 OS is cheaper by~ £100 if you check the price in $. Not sure if this is because of tax/VAT etc. Does anyone know if we order the sigma 50-500 via amazon.com (not .co.uk), will we be charged extra at the time of delivery by way of tax?

What about the issue with warranty if we buy from amazon (saw this comment on amazon.com)

"Love the lens, Love the price, Hate the thought of getting it repaired 2 weeks after it arrived. The auto focus has completly failed.
Sigma shows no waranty for the seriel number shipped from Amazon????
Out of pocket repair $$$$$$???????
When I get the bill I will re update."

 

[scottthehat]

Looks like Sigma 50-500 OS is cheaper by~ £100 if you check the price in $. Not sure if this is because of tax/VAT etc. Does anyone know if we order the sigma 50-500 via amazon.com (not .co.uk), will we be charged extra at the time of delivery by way of tax?

What about the issue with warranty if we buy from amazon (saw this comment on amazon.com)

"Love the lens, Love the price, Hate the thought of getting it repaired 2 weeks after it arrived. The auto focus has completly failed.
Sigma shows no waranty for the seriel number shipped from Amazon????
Out of pocket repair $$$$$$???????
When I get the bill I will re update."

sigma did recall some lenses due to bad af motors,(mine included was away for a wek and now is back as good as new)
http://www.photoradar.com/news/story/sigma-admits-autofocus-problems
just another image.

 

[getman]

Thanks for feedback and samples. Has anyone used the new Bigma with TC's for insane reach?

 

[RMWD]

Some bird images most taken with thus sigma 150.500.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_birder/with/4879854151/

Rich

 

[sarniabirding]

I use the Sigma 150-500 and it is a good lens but be warned it does get very soft at the 500 range. And if you have any movement it sure does show. I love doing birds in flight and the AF is sometimes off even when selecting the second OS (the one for panning). Overall though for the value of the lens it is my second choice. My first is my Canon 70-200 although the range is to low for distant birding.
Sigma sample with 5D Mark II http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/343409/ppuser/86105
Sigma sample with 30Dhttp://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/335896/ppuser/86105

 

[AndrewA]

I tried the Sigma 150-500 with a sigma 1.4TC yesterday. Just test shots in the garden so no real world attempts yet. I used a Canon 1D mark II N but although AF should work at F8.0 I had to tape the pins. Once taped it was OK. I have no idea how it would perform for AF on a non 1D body even with the pins taped.
Results were quite fair I thought. If you want to see they will be here for the next few days and then removed for obvious reasons

http://andrewa.zenfolio.com/p966035910

Rgds
Andrew

 

[RMWD]

I tried the Sigma 150-500 with a sigma 1.4TC yesterday. Just test shots in the garden so no real world attempts yet. I used a Canon 1D mark II N but although AF should work at F8.0 I had to tape the pins. Once taped it was OK. I have no idea how it would perform for AF on a non 1D body even with the pins taped.
Results were quite fair I thought. If you want to see they will be here for the next few days and then removed for obvious reasons

http://andrewa.zenfolio.com/p966035910

Rgds
Andrew

Hi, I found the 150-500 performed attrociously with a kenko tele plus 1.4 ( which works well with my 300f2.8)
I thought that the iq of the naked lens very good for the price.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_birder/with/4879854151/

Rich

 

[joespy]

Tape the pins

I tried the Sigma 150-500 with a sigma 1.4TC yesterday. Just test shots in the garden so no real world attempts yet. I used a Canon 1D mark II N but although AF should work at F8.0 I had to tape the pins. Once taped it was OK. I have no idea how it would perform for AF on a non 1D body even with the pins taped.
Results were quite fair I thought. If you want to see they will be here for the next few days and then removed for obvious reasons

http://andrewa.zenfolio.com/p966035910

Rgds
Andrew

Hia Andrew, can you give an explanation what "tape the pins" means and why you did it ........Cheers Joe :t:
PS excellent pics by the way

 

[AndrewA]

Hi Joe
If you put sticky tape across three of the pins on the lens or converter (cant remember which three off my head will tell you later) you can stop the aperture value from being reported to the camera. Most cameras will stop trying to AF after the aperture passes f5.6 so with the pins taped it will continue to try to AF - normally without any success.
The 1D series of cameras can AF at f8.0 on the centre focus point. If I attached the sigma 1.4 TC to the 150-500 the 1dMark II wouldnt AF not even an option to change AF mode. I taped the pins on the converter and bingo I had AF back an it worked well.
I have tried the same camera and lens with a sigma 300-800 and again no AF. A check of the web seems to point to the fact that the converter or lens shuts off AF for sigma lenses if the combination passes F5.6 when used together (you loose 1 stop with the converter installed).
I have no problem at all with a canon 100-400 and canon 1.4 TC on the same camera.
It may also be to do with the fact that the 150-500 is actually f6.3 at the long end not f5.6 so with the converter installed it actually reports f9.0 to the camera and hence the AF shuts off.

Hope this helps.
Andrew

 

[firebrace]

Hi, I found the 150-500 performed attrociously with a kenko tele plus 1.4 ( which works well with my 300f2.8)
I thought that the iq of the naked lens very good for the price.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_birder/with/4879854151/

Rich

rich, i`ve just started using the nikon d90/sigma 150-500 combo but not had results anything like your flickr images. the light has been far from ideal, i`ve been shooting manual, mostly @f8 with iso up to 1000. would appreciate any tips. thanks.
apologies to op for slight thread hijack