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New Sigma 150/600 contemporary (1 Viewer)

the black fox said:
think you would have to go above that level for decent a/f paul
Click to expand...

Yes, realistically the D7100 would be a nice choice now (since the new model now is the D7200). But I really enjoy my D3200 & D3300 cameras, they are super lightweight. With the D3200 connected with the Siggy-C, all is felt is pretty much is the weight of the lens, lol.

Weather seems good this morning, I will be taking test pictures with both the D3200 & D3300 cameras as requested. ;)
 
the black fox said:
think you would have to go above that level for decent a/f paul
Click to expand...

I would - I'm a sucker for specs 3:)

Somebody wanting a cheap body though to try DSLRs out couldn't go wrong - if you didn't like it at all you wouldn't be losing much selling it on. On the other hand, if they decided to upgrade they wouldn't have laid out a lot so the hit would never be that great.
 
the black fox said:
the trouble is without wanting to sound snobbish ,once you have had a top end camera its hard to go back to lower spec and not miss it
Click to expand...

I started with a 350D, skipped the 400 and when the 450 came out I went to buy one as an obvious upgrade, but before I did I asked to have a quick look at the 40D. And we lived happily ever after 8-P

You're 100% correct Jeff. Probably why I haven't bought a Tamron or the Contemporary yet is that I just haven't seen enough that says that they have the quality of my 400 5.6. Not saying that I won't eventually get either but for the time being I think I have a good enough kit for my requirements - if I ever get time to use it!
 
I would like to share my experiences of my D3100, D3200 & D3300. After purchasing each of them, I sent each of them in to Nikon Repairs for them to check out the camera's focus, etc..

The camera's would come back from the repair centers stating these items..

RPR FOCUS SYSTEM (on the D3100)
ADJ AUTO FOCUS OPERATION
ADJ A-WHITE BALANCE
CKD EXPOSURE
CKD COMMUNICATION
CKD FLASH OPERATION
CLN CCD
GENERAL CHECK & CLEAN

..Cheers, John
 
jshen808 said:
Ok, here are the "test pictures", they were taken today while sitting on a bench..

1. Nikon D3200 + Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary..
http://www.pbase.com/image/160328837/original

2. Nikon D3300 + Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary..
http://www.pbase.com/image/160328838/original

3. Nikon D3200 + Nikon 70-300mm VR.. (control image as requested)
http://www.pbase.com/image/160328840/original

The exif informations are located below each of the images..

Cheers, John ;)
Click to expand...


Thank you John. Before I explain how I tested this I would like to say that I did manage to find a D3300 and did a similar test.

You used manual mode, essentially telling the camera now to expose, thus having the same exposure from both cameras as expected.

My testing method for you to repeat if you wish :

Both D3200 and D3300 set at:
Matrix metering
Aperture priority
ISO 800
F6.3

When I took a photo with each camera the D3200 decided that the correct speed was 1/400, over exposing the image.
The D3300 chose 1/1000 and the image was correctly exposed.

Thanks,

Michael
 
micloi said:
Thank you John. Before I explain how I tested this I would like to say that I did manage to find a D3300 and did a similar test.

You used manual mode, essentially telling the camera now to expose, thus having the same exposure from both cameras as expected.

My testing method for you to repeat if you wish :

Both D3200 and D3300 set at:
Matrix metering
Aperture priority
ISO 800
F6.3

When I took a photo with each camera the D3200 decided that the correct speed was 1/400, over exposing the image.
The D3300 chose 1/1000 and the image was correctly exposed.

Thanks,

Michael
Click to expand...

Michael,
I will repeat the tests with the settings you gave tomorrow morning. ;)
Cheers, John
 
I took lots of shots with a 1.4x tc with the 'C' today as the light was good. I know most folk are probably not interested in shooting at the full 840mm but those that are I attach just one to give you an idea of the IQ. Before anyone pounces on me I am not claiming it is particular sharp or nice image but it may give an idea of the quality loss when using a 1.4x tc with this lens.
 

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I am torn between Tamron and Sigma C.

Really confused which one to choose.
Need lens mainly for birding, hand holding most of the time.

Anybody clear my confusion pls..
 
Here are "test pictures #2".. all handheld while sitting on a bench.

1. Nikon D3200 + Siggy-C..
Aperture Priority, 1/320, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337665/original

2. Nikon D3300 + Siggy-C..
Aperture Priority, 1/640, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337666/original

3. Nikon D3200 + Nikon 70-300mm VR..
Aperture Priority, 1/400, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337667/original

Michael, you're right on with your observations, d3200 and d3300 IQ's are different.

Cheers, John
 
I just tried to use my Contemporary with the 1401 TC with my D3300. It works, but not well enough. I will try my Contemporary with my Nikon 1's V2 or J3 or J4 (I adore small cameras, lol) using the FT-1 adapter this coming week, and will let everyone know how it goes. ;)

Cheers, John
 
jshen808 said:
Here are "test pictures #2".. all handheld while sitting on a bench.

1. Nikon D3200 + Siggy-C..
Aperture Priority, 1/320, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337665/original

2. Nikon D3300 + Siggy-C..
Aperture Priority, 1/640, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337666/original

3. Nikon D3200 + Nikon 70-300mm VR..
Aperture Priority, 1/400, F6.3, ISO800, 600mm, 0.0EV, Matrix Metering.
http://www.pbase.com/image/160337667/original

Michael, you're right on with your observations, d3200 and d3300 IQ's are different.

Cheers, John
Click to expand...

Thank you for confirming this John!
 
Hi Roy,
Roy C said:
I took lots of shots with a 1.4x tc with the 'C' today as the light was good. I know most folk are probably not interested in shooting at the full 840mm but those that are I attach just one to give you an idea of the IQ. Before anyone pounces on me I am not claiming it is particular sharp or nice image but it may give an idea of the quality loss when using a 1.4x tc with this lens.
Click to expand...

What 1.4 TC do you use?
Did your autofocus work at 600 mm (840 MM)?

Ad B
 
And some non action shots with dawn light of a baby and baby and parent Oystercatchers. I love these birds. I think they have the most character of any bird in the US. These birds are mostly fearless as well. At one point I was lying down on the sand shooting one of the parents and the baby just walked right up to me! Friendly little guy. The close up shot is at 267mm. He just sat down and stayed for a while. Only got up when other parent came back with food. Which gets me to an important point. So much talk of gear and Compostion on these forums. No talk of field craft. It will make a huge difference in all of our photos. The ability to be much closer when taking a shot makes much more a a difference than say the difference between the C and the Tamron does.

American Oystercatcher by Isaac Grant, on Flickr

American Oystercatcher by Isaac Grant, on Flickr

American Oystercatcher by Isaac Grant, on Flickr

American Oystercatcher by Isaac Grant, on Flickr

American Oystercatcher by Isaac Grant, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Ad B said:
Hi Roy,


What 1.4 TC do you use?
Did your autofocus work at 600 mm (840 MM)?

Ad B
Click to expand...
Yes 'Ad B' the autofocus works fine as long as you have a Camera that will AF at f8. I have used it on both the 5D3 and 7D2 and AF is good (although slower than the bare lens of course).
Note: although the aperture is f9 when you have a 1.4x tc attached the Camera's AF system is fooled into thinking it is still f8 so will AF on the right body (EXIF still shows f9). Metering is also fine as you would expect from TTL metering.
BTW I use a Canon 1.4x tc MkII
 
Hi Roy,
Roy C said:
Yes 'Ad B' the autofocus works fine as long as you have a Camera that will AF at f8. I have used it on both the 5D3 and 7D2 and AF is good (although slower than the bare lens of course).
Note: although the aperture is f9 when you have a 1.4x tc attached the Camera's AF system is fooled into thinking it is still f8 so will AF on the right body (EXIF still shows f9). Metering is also fine as you would expect from TTL metering.
BTW I use a Canon 1.4x tc MkII
Click to expand...
Thanks Roy.
I use a Kenko Teleplus 1.4x PRO300 DGX.
But at the longer end, when the minimum aperture gets above f8, AF is struggeling. Sometimes no AF.
AF with live view works quite okay.
Maybe I have to try the Sigma 1.4 extender, the 1401. Or maybe the older version...
By the way, I use a Nikon D750.
But first I have to give myself the time and opportunity getting to know this lens.

Ad B
 
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