New Sigma 150/600 contemporary (1 Viewer)

[Roy C]

That is the main reason why I typically only post photos of close birds. I do not think that any of these cheap zoom lenses are capable of big crops when the birds are far away.

BTW you seem to have access to some superb birds and get close enough for some smashing detail :t: something a lot of us in the UK can only dream about, but why you insist on posting these hideously large web size images I do not know - they look bad enough on my 24" high res monitor, goodness knows how they must look on a smaller low res monitor.
Yes you can accentuate the detail by posting so big and they will always show more detail than shots posted at a smaller size but esthetically they look terrible IMHO.
I would love to see some of your shots at reasonable web sizes (1200 pixels on the long side max but better at something like 1024 pixels), providing they are composed nicely I am sure they would look really good.
There are several sites on the web that limit the max size to image as low as 800 or 900 pixels on the long side and they really sort the good shots from the poor ones - just saying.

 

[MiguelM]

I was actually surprised on how well the 1.4x worked on the 1Dx on distant birds. Below is the full frame of a shot from Cyprus.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/1DX/840mm 1Dx.jpg

It looks great to me and with a 16mpx full frame Camera, which kind of contradicts what Roy has been saying

 

[micloi]

With a good camera and good light cropping is possible BUT good light is something we rarely have in the UK, thus the example from Cyprus.

Of course if you can get close enough then results are very good even in overcast UK weather:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/Canon/1.jpg

 

[birding_buddy]

I am torn between Sigma C 150-600 and Tamron 150-600.
Mainly for birding and wildlife.

Please suggest the appropriate lens for me.
Thanks in advance.

 

[hosesbroadbill]

BTW you seem to have access to some superb birds and get close enough for some smashing detail :t: something a lot of us in the UK can only dream about, but why you insist on posting these hideously large web size images I do not know - they look bad enough on my 24" high res monitor, goodness knows how they must look on a smaller low res monitor.
Yes you can accentuate the detail by posting so big and they will always show more detail than shots posted at a smaller size but esthetically they look terrible IMHO.
I would love to see some of your shots at reasonable web sizes (1200 pixels on the long side max but better at something like 1024 pixels), providing they are composed nicely I am sure they would look really good.
There are several sites on the web that limit the max size to image as low as 800 or 900 pixels on the long side and they really sort the good shots from the poor ones - just saying.

Honestly I know very little about sizing and that sort of thing. Do you mean here or shots on FM? Here I only post the link to flickr. I really like birding and taking pics, but know little to nothing about processing (reason why I only use DPP3) and proper web sizing. Always open to suggestions...

A lot of my shots are dumb luck and taking advantage of situations. We are in the peak of spring migration and have had the first big waves of migrants the last few days. I have seen thousands of warblers and such and have not taken a single picture. All way too high or in bad light. So when that happens I am just a birder. Should one come down low or in good light then I take advantage. I do most of my spring birding in a park near where I live and it is full of large trees and a lot of habitat. No reason for the birds to be in close.

edit: just posted two on FM at 1024 and they are way better looking. Others were way too big. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[micloi]

I received the Canon 1.4x mk1. AF locks every time (unlike with the Sigma) and image quality is very satisfactory even in overcast weather and open wide.

I have a Canon MK2 and a Kenko pro on the way for comparisons.

 

[hosesbroadbill]

Pretty uninteresting, but the lens was fast and easily tracked on quick flying pigeons and gulls today.

Rock Pigeon by isaacgrant, on Flickr

 

[Roy C]

edit: just posted two on FM at 1024 and they are way better looking. Others were way too big. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yep, I was thinking about FM (where I have been visiting for many years now). Those 1024 shots looks a lot better for viewing on the web :t: (even on my 24" high res monitor).
The trouble with posting on the web is that you have to consider all the different monitors and other viewing devices that folk are using and for anyone using a smallish low res monitor, and especially laptops, very big pixel sizes mean they often have to scroll the pics as they will not fit on the screen so they are only ever seeing a portion of the overall image. This is why a lot of sites restrict the size you can post.
If a pic looks good at around 900-1024 pixels on the longest side then it must be a nice image, whereas even poor(ish) images can look very reasonable at very large sizes.

 

[hosesbroadbill]

Yep, I was thinking about FM (where I have been visiting for many years now). Those 1024 shots looks a lot better for viewing on the web :t: (even on my 24" high res monitor).
The trouble with posting on the web is that you have to consider all the different monitors and other viewing devices that folk are using and for anyone using a smallish low res monitor, and especially laptops, very big pixel sizes mean they often have to scroll the pics as they will not fit on the screen so they are only ever seeing a portion of the overall image. This is why a lot of sites restrict the size you can post.
If a pic looks good at around 900-1024 pixels on the longest side then it must be a nice image, whereas even poor(ish) images can look very reasonable at very large sizes.

I agree. Have you made any progress with the Sigma and the 1.4x. Still interested but would love to see results in an experienced shooters hands.

 

[Roy C]

I agree. Have you made any progress with the Sigma and the 1.4x. Still interested but would love to see results in an experienced shooters hands.

I will be pursuing it but have not got out with the Cam for over a week now due to poor weather. One thing you will need for shooting this lens at 840mm is nice light for sure.

 

[Roy C]

It looks great to me and with a 16mpx full frame Camera, which kind of contradicts what Roy has been saying

It all depends on your expectations I guess. IQ is subjective and so what may be acceptable to some may not be for others.

 

[micloi]

No static birds I am afraid so an alarm (33m away) had to do for comparing teleconverters.

One shot at 600mm f6.3, the rest at 840mm f9 (Canon 1.4x ml1, Canon 1.4x mk2 and Kenko PRO 300 DG White edition)

The AF with the Sigma TC-1401 was too inconsistent so I had to return it. AF with both Canon TCs is great, the Kenko sometimes hunts a little.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/1.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/2.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/3.JPG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/4.JPG

 

[the black fox]

now where have i seen that before LOL

 

[hosesbroadbill]

A Solitary Sandpiper under less than ideal conditions in a dark stream.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/17439085941/in/dateposted-public/

 

[Roy C]

Got some shots of Barn Swallows today, shot at mid day(ish) in bright sun so not ideal light although the lens seems to have coped fairly well. I am going to have another crack at these earlier in the day when the light should be better.

 

[micloi]

Two at 600mm f7.1 and one (the headshot) at 840mm f9

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/5.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/6.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/16187250/Sigma 150-600mm contemporary/TCs/7.jpg

 

[Roy C]

Used the lens as a 600mm semi macro today, it could be useful for dragonflies and the like when you do not have a macro lens with you. I am going to try it out out with an extension tube to reduce the MFD.

 

[hosesbroadbill]

Used the lens as a 600mm semi macro today, it could be useful for dragonflies and the like when you do not have a macro lens with you. I am going to try it out out with an extension tube to reduce the MFD.

Really nice Roy. Love the colors and sharpness. Keep'em comming.

 

[Paul Jarvis]

Nice Roy

 

[Roy C]

A couple more snaps from today. Only common birds but I feel the lens did well enough.