First Shots with Sigma 170-500mm

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Hi Everyone,

These are the first shots of the Long-tailed Duck at Hove Lagoon....
I was happy with my lens' first outing. What do you think of them and any obvious tips I can use?

Cheers Jacob

[NickCantle]

They look excellent to me Jacob, well done mate. I'm going to be purchasing the 175-500mm's bigger brother at some point over the next few weeks and I can't wait! Top notch stuff mate

Nick

[zan]

nice shots I bet you're pleased! Nothing really obvious to say about your shots except to always try and get the eye in focus. I think the shots on here get compressed quite a lot so it's hard to see exactly, but I think your second shot is maybe a smidgen off. Good luck with your new lens and I hope you enjoy it!

zan

[big bill]

Hello Jacob like the pics they are nice only gripe is that they are slightly out of focus as said by zan try and focus on the head and the rest of the pics should be in focus,saying that I dont think on a second look at the full resolution that its focus I think there is some camera shake as no particular part of the image is sharp did you use a Tripod?

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Yeah I used a tripod but the conditions wern't great as it was blowing a gale....I had also not known to focus on the head and was focussing on the body of the bird instead.

Many thanks for such kind comments

Jacob

[zan]

It'll depend partly on your aperture as well. If you use e.g. f8, you'll get away with more than if you were at f2.8 for example, where your focus would have to be spot on. Having said that, with a lot of wildlife photography you'll want to get the fastest shutter speed you can which often means opening up your aperture. I use a 300mm F4 lens, and it virtually never comes off f4 unless I'm on a moving boat where I can't hold a focus point! Enjoy playing with your setup - you can only get better!

Zan

[sleipnerofasgard]

if you don't mind me asking jacob what specs were those pictures taken at ie top end 500mm of 175mm etc .nice pics by the way

cheers

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Full zoom 500mm....thanks so much for all this positive feedback.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Also these are some Tundra Bean Geese from today...100yds away lens used at 500mm zoom.



And a Cattle Egret at 150yds....some effects of bleaching here



Cheers Jacob

[cannylad]

Hi Jacob, i also have the same lens, it can be a tad soft at 500mm and i have found it works well on a tripod with a remote. Obviously good light can also make a heck of a difference.
here is a link to a photo using the 170-500mm in my Gallery.