Sigma 150-500 OS HSM

[DrewC]

i've got this lens for a short while and will be running it through its paces... i'll make sure to get some test images up for you guys later, but my first impression...

the OS is loud and clunky (but effective!)
seems nice and sharp at most focal lengths and apertures

stay tuned...
-drew

 

[puddleduck]

I'd love to know how it performs between 400 and 500mm wide open if you get a chance to try

 

[DrewC]

any requests for samples?i'll be givin' it a real workout on some planes, but technique comes into play so much there, so maybe some street signs on a tripod... maybe some handheld to show of its 'OS'

 

[puddleduck]

Hi Drew

I'd like to see some real world samples - road signs don't have fine detail so are not good test targets, ideally you test needs to be fur or feathers (ie fine hard to resolve detail) so its a bit more real world. (you could use a stuffed teddy bear for this)

Anything between 400 and 500mm would be great as 400mm is where most of use are maxed out, with either 2x TC's on our 70-200s or a 1.4x on a 300mm for example.

Cheers

 

[inukshuk]

I've just ordered as well. Will pick it up when I'm in Montreal next month.
Here's a couple links on it.

http://www.birdingworld.co.uk/Sigma Photos.htm
http://www.fouroaksonline.co.za/reviews/sigma-150-500/index.php
http://flickr.com/groups/sigma150-500/

 

[DrewC]

alright, here are some examples from a kid that doesnt normally shoot birds OR long lenses... but i thought i got very acceptable results...

all of these are 100% crops with no post processing. shot with a d300 between 200 and 400 ISO

500mm f/6.3 @6400th/sec

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450mm f/6.3 @2500th/sec
View attachment 216277

450mm f/13 @640th/sec
View attachment 216278

400mm f/13 @1000th/sec
View attachment 216280

dont forget, these are all 100% crops..


-drew

 

[gugs]

interesting but it would be nice to see the full picture too...

 

[Kees de Bruin]

This doesn't look too bad. I've always been happy with my old Sigma 135-400 so maybe this (or the 120-400) could be a nice replacement for the Nikon 80-400VR.

 

[puddleduck]

Lots of noise under those wings - very grainy, so I am assume the noise is robbing you of some detail?

Looks pretty good - BIF is always a hard one for 100% crops to shine. Can't see a lot wrong with those.

 

[inukshuk]

I'm a little disappointed because of the noise and loss of definition especially from the D300. How about posting un-cropped shots.

 

[RayLarson]

I have the Sigma 80-400 OS which I love and has just gotten the 150-500. If it is as good as the 80-400OS, I will be happy.

This was taken with the 80-400OS

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[scooptdoo]

i wouldnt knok the model of the camera for noise in picture.its a cropped shot ie blow up .noise is greatest in shadow as is the nature of noise.you crop ,blow up ,enlarge any shaded area or any phot digital or film and you gonna see noise.

 

[scooptdoo]

hope i can get one this year.

 

[GKR1]

The 120-400mm OS looks good as well. It is a stop faster and lighter to handhold.

I've been reading and doing some research, it has been a mix of good and mediocre reviews on the new line up, I'm still waiting for more early users to respond back so we can get a pragmatic understating what are the pros and cons. From what I've gathered the OS is efficient but not fast. Also, there has been reports of vibration and blurry pictures. This has been reported on the Canon mounts, there was a firmware fix for it I believe. Web samples have looked decent, however, I'm not sure if any of the work has been printed and looked at. I Hope we can see more eclectic shots from these 2 lenses.

 

[RayLarson]

Just received my Sigma 150-500 OS and fired off some quick shots. Nice IQ, great build quality and as good, if not better, than my 80-400 OS. Hopefully I will have some shots to post after the holiday weekend.

 

[RayLarson]

Here are some samples from the Sigma 150-500. The lens is quick, sharp and a joy to work with. The OS works superb and the build quality is very good. These were taken at the July 3rd Pawtucket Red Sox game at McCoy Stadium. Taken with a Nikon D80.

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[Mike Irish]

These shots look vary promising.I wonder haw the lens performs under average day lite? I own the sigma 50 to 500 and it need a lot of sun lite. A good tripod or steady hand with a mono pod. I think that 150 to 500 has the image stabilizer on it?Any one out there tried the 50 to 500 yet?
Mike

 

[RayLarson]

Those pictures were taken at about 6:20pm and into the sun, for the most part. While the lens needs good light, it works very good at high iso and the OS give you a good 3 stops, if not 4. The HSM motor focuses quick and accurate.