Sigma 150-500 first test photos

Geoff F · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 07:44 PM

After a long time of dithering, I finally made up my mind and ordered the Sigma 150-500 lens. It was delivered yesterday but when I opened the box I found a Nikon D700 camera body instead. Financially speaking that was a better deal, but as I have 'sold my soul' to Canon I had to phone the supplier and report a mistake.

Anyway, this afternoon the carrier exchanged parcels and everything is now correct. So I put it on my 40D and had a quick try. It had been a decent day here with hazy sunshine but by 3 pm the light was starting to get poor for photography with a long zoom.

However, here are my first trial photos with this lens. Handheld, 450mm lens length, 1/125, F 10, ISO 1600, manual focus (it was a bit dim for reliable auto focus). Images are unedited, straight from camera using 'faithful' setting.

Looks encouraging for another try soon on a tripod with better light.

Richard G. · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 09:15 PM

Interesting Geoff, thanks for posting them.
So these are uncropped and unsharpened too?
Would like to see some more, as you get acquainted with it, if you don't mind me asking?

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 10:29 PM

I'll experiment a bit more when the rain stops. The stabilisation (OS) seems very positive for such a long lens. At the moment auto focus is a bit slow and uncertain but I feel sure that will work better in decent light. In the meantime, I think this lens could be 'the cat's whiskers'.

[img]http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/data/61/thumbs/
Sigma_150-500_lens_test_shot_1-200_F14_ISO200_flash.jpg[/img]

This was indoors with external flash, once again, handheld, 450mm, 1/200, F14, ISO200 and unedited.

The lens was £700 including a UV filter