Sigma 50-500mm v Sigma 150-500mm

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Otter Spotter

the type of photography I would like to do is Birds, Mammals and Dogs, mainly working field dogs,so the action will be fast.

Do you think the 150-500mm lens whilst giving me more power will be able to capture the speed of action required?

I hasten to add that it would be my intention to buy a faster 300mm or 200mm lens for taking the pictures of the working dogs.

Thanks
Take care
Andy

the ability to capture fast action is not going to be determined soley by the lense - the bottom line is that you will need a fast shutter speed and this will in turn be determined by the apperture and ISo set - and these will be determined by the available light.

although a "faster" lens (ie one with a larger maximum apperture) will allow you to set a bigger apperture the times you are going to use f2.8 or f4 are limited anyway due to the narrow depth of feild thse produce. The other benefit of faster lenses is that they help the AF function better as most modern lenses are not stopped down until the shutter is fire the faster lense allows more light into the camera and helps the AF maintain lock on - which can be particularly important in low light conditions

and the third benefit of faster lenses is that they work better with matched teleconverters thus allowing you to create really long focal lengths (e.g a 400mm f2.8 with a matched 2xtc will act as a 800mm f5.6 - while still allowing AF etc to function - although you could theoretically use a 2xtc on a 400mm f5.6 that would create a 800mm f13 which wouldnt have a prayer of auto focusing.)

I digress - the basic point i was making is that the 150-500 f5.6 will be fine for fast action in most lights but might struggle if you were doing a lot of work at dawn and dusk - I use the predecessor the 170-500 (aka the coffee grinder on account of the noising focussing) and have used it to photograph fast flying birds such as diving gannets , and also to cover jet ski , rugby, and motorsports without a problem.

[stephen p]

Originally Posted by Otter Spotter

HI,


I have been looking at all sorts of combinations but I am pretty decided on either the 120-400 mm Sigma or the 150-500mm, hence this reply.

Andy

Hi Andy,

After using both, there is no contest between the 120 - 400 and the 150 -500mm.

I found the contrast, sharpness and weight balance much much better on the 150 - 500mm hence why i got it.

I know a lot of people who think the same aswell.

Hope that helps,

Steve.

[DrNickBurton]

I used to own the 150-500mm - if you do get one, I recomend you also buy a monopod. Although the OS system on the 150-500mm is excellent, it's a super heavy lens - not the sort of thing you want to hand-hold for any length of time! Good lens though - lets face it, there are precious few ways to get to 500mm without breaking the bank!

[Otter Spotter]

Tats brilliant, the information i am learning here is in the long run going to save me a fortune!!,thank you so much!!

I am saving like mad for a 150-500mm and should hopefully have enough to get one very soon.

Thanks again
Andy

[AlphaZeroOne]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Your point of view is very valid.
My personal reasons are more to do with my state of mind at the moment.
I'm going through a period where I wonder if I should continue with photography at all. I've not been out for over two months to give myself a break to see how I feel.
I'm hopefully meeting some Wabers tomorrow and that will help rekindle my interest.

Although I only pop in to WAB forums now and again, I have to say glsammy that your photographs and inputs to these forums have been an inspiration to me and I am certain, others too. From a purely selfish point of view, I hope that you are able to to find your passion for wildlife photography again as these forums would be that less richer without your objective advice and brilliant photographs. I hope that you have some sort of commission agreement with Sigma as I am certain that a number of people, including myself, would have purchased the Bigma based on some of your results. Good luck and thanks again.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by AlphaZeroOne

Although I only pop in to WAB forums now and again, I have to say glsammy that your photographs and inputs to these forums have been an inspiration to me and I am certain, others too. From a purely selfish point of view, I hope that you are able to to find your passion for wildlife photography again as these forums would be that less richer without your objective advice and brilliant photographs. I hope that you have some sort of commission agreement with Sigma as I am certain that a number of people, including myself, would have purchased the Bigma based on some of your results. Good luck and thanks again.

Very kind of you to say this. I'm almost blushing!
I most certainly will be going out again but not for a few weeks or so.
I've also decided what to do with my equipment.I've already sold my Canon 400mm, so the Bigma won my vote, and no, Sigma don't pay me anything..I wish!!
This decision was more to do with me needing the cash as much as anything else.
One good point, it's an excellent time to sell any gear you may have. I had my 400mm for over a year and I sold it within 24 hours for more than I paid for it.The same also for my Sigma ring flash. (I made an £80 profit on that!)

[AlphaZeroOne]

If cash is your focus (and who of us doesn't wish to have more disposable £ to call upon) I for one would willing pay you good money just to go out on a field shoot and watch you in action and, hopefully pick up some good tips from you. I have all the equipment but none of your talent! Just a thought. I am certain that you would soon have a following of others from the WAB forums.

[wizzo]

Is it still easy enough to throw the background out of focus considering the smaller apeture on the Bigma or 150-500mm Sigma?

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by wizzo

Is it still easy enough to throw the background out of focus considering the smaller apeture on the Bigma or 150-500mm Sigma?

Extremely easy. Just look through our Gallery for may examples.
This is a shot I took last week. The out of focus background is as taken in the camera.
It was set at F7.1. You'll get good out of focus easily at F8 or even more.

[wizzo]

Thanks Graham