Sigma 150-500mm anyone use one with a Canon 7D

[The_Moaner]

Hi Darren
Johnf3f knows me, has met me and has helped me out tremendously. Thanks to John and a few others I am getting that little bit better.

Now to the point---I got a Sigma 150-500mm + 7D. I was not happy with it at all. In fact I started to hate it. John tested it and said it works ok but it's soft at 500mm (or words to that effect) So nothing wrong with lens. Others hated it like me.
I saw what Wayne was doing with his 150-500 and Nikon D300. (Perfect)
But I learnt much later that the darn thing works better on Nikons than canons.
Now I also found out that it works pretty good on a 50D downwards. Different focusing in the 60D and 7D.

I Moaned and Groaned until I drove everyone MAD! As John can verify. LOL

I was getting some Very Good images from it when the light was Tip Top. When we get dull days (99% of the time) this lens will not get you a good image on a small bird. A human or large object, Yes. Also, if you do what I was doing (still doing on times) trying to get the shot of a small bird that is just a little too far away, the image comes out rubbish. YET! some photographers manage to do it. (not me).
I went and spent my cash that took me ages to save up and bought the
Canon 400 f5.6. I had lovely sharp images the first time I used it, then after it was hit n miss. Lens would not focus on times. I knew that on times it was my fault but also thought the 7D was not focusing properly.
I sent my 7D in for repair etc. Since I've had it back I have had good images, but it has still refused to focus on times. I've now changed a setting and it has worked ok so far.
I did put my Sigma 150-500 back on camera other day and had sharper images from it than before my 7d was fixed.

Anyway, to cut this short, Morral of Story. Make sure the Bird Animal is not too far away for the shot. (my biggest misstake is that). I want what the 500mm photogs are getting with a 1.4 converter attached. I can't, not with a 400mm or my sigi unless it's closer.
Be patiant. I know a photog who has the 300 on a 1.4 converter and he gets GREAT images hand held.
Try the Sigma 150-500mm but don't expect perfect images at 500mm if it's too far away or on DULL days. It's a Bright day lens, that is why any yank will tell you there be nothing wrong with it because they get Perfect Light.
Practise with that 300 f4 on converter and I know you'll get Great images.
PHEW! Finnished.

[darrenm]

the new Sigma 150-500mm lens arrived today and very happy with the results in the garden this afternoon and most of the shots were very, very sharp The OS and auto focus system works very well indeed.

For the price its a stunning piece of kit and think it compares very well with my Canon 400mm 5.6 but a fair bit cheaper and with a bit more range. Have tried it with the 1.4xconverter but it dosnt maintain auto focus but manually it works very well.

The only down side so far is it is very heavy but suppose its through the amount of glass within it and will hopefully get out and about with it in the next few days to test it.

A tip i was given at the weekend for sharp shots with the 7D was to shoot in auto ISO in TV and so far this seems to be doing the trick.

[Geoff F]

The only extra thing I would say, and you probably already know this, but you may get better results on a tripod with the OS turned off.

I say may, because sometimes with a slightly shaky tripod, with wind rock etc, using OS can still work best.

[The_Moaner]

Problem with Auto ISO in tv is that it can give you ISO3200 and that is Very Noisy. Even iso800 with bird in flight at sky makes the sky NOISY!
Mine does anyway. As for the 150-500 being sharper than the 400 f5.6, I doubt that. In fact I'll stick me kneck out and say "No Way". I know, I got both also, and my 150-500 works better since 7D got fixed but deffinatly not sharper than my 400mm.
Most of those (me included) that use the 150-500 use it hand held with OS turned off as the OS turned on slows the focusing down and missed BiF.
You use whatever suits you. Find which is the best for you and stick with it.
One Good thing with the 150-500 is that it's Good from 200 to 400 and sharpish on a tripod on birds standing still. The smaller the bird the more it struggles to focus. Anyway, Enjoy the lens and I wish you happy birding with it.
(mines confined as a Door Stop until I find someone who wants to buy it).

[m pollard]

I use both the Canon 300mm f4 with and without a 1.4 converter on a 7D and have had great results. I also use a Sigma 150-500mm without using a converter and the results again have been excellent. Having compared this lens with my brothers Canon 500mm f4 on the same camera we found that the results were comparable, the Sigma not quite so good but has more contrast than the Canon. Bearing in mind that with the 7D and Sigma you are using most of the lens diameter but not all of it but the best part is being used.
Any problems that I have had with both lenses have been down to my lack of experience or incorrect settings and not the equipment, such as having the stabilization on when it should be off.
I have a 1.4 converter that is for use with the Sigma but have not used it yet as with this combination you will have manual focus only.

[Randy Grouse]

My first posting so forgive me if I'm nervous !
I bought the Canon 7D with a Sigma 150-500mm as my first digital SLR and "wildlife" combination in Nov 2009 after many years of "digi-scoping" with varied results and I'm absolutely smitten with digital SLR wildlife photography.
Much to my regret I'd put off the decision for many years afraid of the money I'd start spending and have !!
I wanted a fast "action" camera that was fairly future-proof and the 7D fitted the bill perfectly and I have not regretted the decision for one moment,it's an awesome piece of kit and worth every penny.
My budget at the time only stretched to the Sigma 150-500mm and that is also a decision that I've not regretted.
It is tremendously versatile and I've achieved some tremendous results even with birds in flight.
Okay, it is a little "soft" wide open at 500mm but stopped down to f7.1-8.0 which I've found to be the "sweet spot" the results have been great,it really is fantastic value for money.
A month ago I moved up to a Canon f4 IS 500mm prime and yes the difference is amazing as with optics you do REALLY get what you pay for.
That's not to say I shall be dispensing with the "Bigma" and didn't trade it in to buy the prime.
What with the Canon being too big to take as hand luggage the "Bigma" is the perfect holiday lens with it's relatively compact size with the lens hood reversed.
Although I find it quite easy to hand hold my best results have always been when using a monopod or tripod with the OS always switched on.
I cannot recommend the "Bigma" highly enough and two friends also get great results with it,one also with a 7D and another on an entry level Nikon.