lens help

[zan]

The 300 F4 and 1.4x converter is what I use and it's brill. It's one of my favourite lenses and it's just great quality. Definately recommend it!

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

I'm sure you won't be dissapointed.

Don't know if you already have one but it works very well with the Sigma 1.4x. I recently had a rush a blood and sold mine and bought a brand new Canon 1.4 converter but the only difference I can find is that the Canon is bigger and heavier!

I've got the Kenko Pro 300 1.4X, I can't see any reason why that shouldn't be fine with it. It's certainly the combination I'm considering at the moment. Mind you, I can change my mind in an instant!

[glsammy]

I've been looking further on that web link where Andy Rouse was being critical of the 100-400mm. Well if he doesn't like that one, he absolutely loathes the Bigma!
Have a look here:

Bigma Replacements / Lenses - Express Forum

[RichBrew]

I'm surprised a photographer of his standing would make such comments. Surely he must realise that there are some who cannot afford, or justify, anything better, and that to them the Sigma is as good as they will ever get? Just seems an odd comment for a professional to make, however he feels about a product.

RB

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I've been looking further on that web link where Andy Rouse was being critical of the 100-400mm. Well if he doesn't like that one, he absolutely loathes the Bigma!
Have a look here:

Bigma Replacements / Lenses - Express Forum

I must admit this has shocked me too, he's certainly not going to make any fans here on WAB making comments like that, as Rich correctly says you dont expect a photographer of his standing to make such statements.

I own a Bigma and to be honest I love it, it's certainly good enough for what I need and can afford.
Yes, I'd dearly love to own a Canon 400mm f2.8 L series prime, but reality and the costs of living dictate otherwise.

Steve.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by RichBrew

I'm surprised a photographer of his standing would make such comments. Surely he must realise that there are some who cannot afford, or justify, anything better, and that to them the Sigma is as good as they will ever get? Just seems an odd comment for a professional to make, however he feels about a product.

RB

My thoughts as well Rich. In some of this earlier comments he went out of his way to say not everyone can afford to use L glass, and then loses it completely in that post. He won't have made too many friends by it. I still say the Bigma is just about the best zoom lens in it's price range. Most of the softness of it disappears once your at F8 which is my preferred setting.

[span130502]

just wondering what wab members views were of the canon 400 l 5.6 over the 100 - 400 l (pump). the pump will have more flexability but does the prime have a big improvement in picture quality and also there is the I S factor.

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by span130502

just wondering what wab members views were of the canon 400 l 5.6 over the 100 - 400 l (pump). the pump will have more flexability but does the prime have a big improvement in picture quality and also there is the I S factor.

of the various lenses discussed in this thread, the 400 f5.6 is the one I went for and I haven't regretted it for one minute. Incidentally, it seems to be Andy Rouse's favourite telephoto in this price range. It is a very, very sharp lens and the AF is very quick. Its size also makes it relatively easy to handhold. You'll find heated debates comparing the 100-400 and the 400 on many forums, but the 400 definitely has the edge in terms of sharpness and speed of AF.

As you point out, the downside is lack of versatility and loss of IS. Since I use mine almost exclusively to photograph small birds I don't really miss a zoom facility but this obviously depends on what you intend to photograph. I normally want more focal length rather than less. The IS would be nice but as long as I can keep my shutter speed above 1/400 or thereabouts I can handhold it fine. If it drops below this I use a tripod or monopod.

Matt

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

I must admit this has shocked me too, he's certainly not going to make any fans here on WAB making comments like that, as Rich correctly says you dont expect a photographer of his standing to make such statements.

I own a Bigma and to be honest I love it, it's certainly good enough for what I need and can afford.
Yes, I'd dearly love to own a Canon 400mm f2.8 L series prime, but reality and the costs of living dictate otherwise.

Steve.

You've nothing to reproach yourself for Steve. I've read some right old rubbish talked about the Bigma over the last few days, not only here but other forums as well. It's often from people that probably have never so much as seen one let alone used one.

So far as I can tell from this range of "experts" It's images are so poor it's hardly worth taking them. You'll never get a good, sharp image with it.

Reading all these "expert" opinions I felt my whole photography experience over the last two years has been like a dream, I thought I'd taken quite a few decent shots with it.

To put my mind at rest I went out today to see if the poor old lens should be placed in the bin or not.

Here's a few shots taken today, no tripod, no cable release, just me my monopod and the useless Bigma.













They look quite sharp and clear to me...not the muddy mess I was led to believe I could only get.

[mh68]

Have to say Graham, that Water Rail shot is about the best i`ve seen of the species....well impressed

Mark H

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by mh68

Have to say Graham, that Water Rail shot is about the best i`ve seen of the species....well impressed

Mark H

Thanks Mark. You mean it's not a useless shot?

[mh68]

If that could be classed as useless mate, then useless shots would do for me any day of the week

Mark H

[Ollie]

Well Graham anyone who has any doubts on the Bigma should view these photographs you have posted. It shows that in the right hands and I emphasise right hands it is a superb lens. Certainly the best 500mm zoom you will get for your money.

Great work Graham and a brilliant example of what the Bigma is capable of.

Roger

[willing to learn]

I feel very much out my depth here, as just a beginer (but trying to absorb as much as possible of the great threads and advice and truely awsome pics)
But anybody can apreciate the pics clarity of these birds and their beauty taken in their natural habitat taken by Grayham. AS a beginer I have decided to invest in a 100 - 400mm image stabilized canon lens because I have seen pictures they have taken, and read several reviews giving high praise indeed.
But this lens comes under fire also in a review I have read by the chap that expressed his opinion on the Bigma If anyone is thinking of sticking their Bigma on the front of a sledgehammer Please let me try sticking it to my camera first
Regards
Colin

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by glsammy

To put my mind at rest I went out today to see if the poor old lens should be placed in the bin or not.
Here's a few shots taken today, no tripod, no cable release, just me my monopod and the useless Bigma.
They look quite sharp and clear to me...not the muddy mess I was led to believe I could only get.

If ever proof was needed of the Bigmas ability to take excellent quality images then this set of images is it.
They are all stunning but I agree with Mark, that Water Rail shot is an absolute belter.
Great work pal - long live the Bigma

[John D]

Just keep your 'Bigma' Graham , there's not much out there that can beat it.
Your latest images prove it!

John D

[John D]

Just wondering if it was thee Andy Rouse that posted these comments. I would have thought he would have to much to lose by making such comments for all to see.
Seems very stupid if he did.
John D

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by John D

Just wondering if it was thee Andy Rouse that posted these comments. I would have thought he would have to much to lose by making such comments for all to see.
Seems very stupid if he did.
John D

I'm pretty sure it was him. It's that Warehouse place he promotes and supports. They wouldn't let anyone else use his name on those threads.
My opinion of him has gone down a huge amount after reading that tirade of hate. I can't imagine what he thought he was doing, putting that down for the whole world to see.
In the past his posts on other equipment had always been reasonable, whether for or against something.
In my opinion it makes him look like an elitist twit.

Whatever he says, I don't regret buying the Bigma, even if I do replace it one day. (Probably soon...I've got the buying bug.)
I'll probably keep the Bigma anyway, whatever I finally decide to get. It's still the lens I'd take with me if I was after a variety of subjects, large or small.

[Boddie]

Having worked as a marketing director for a manuafcturing firm I can tell you that a good or bad review can come down to how much, and how often, you gift the expert reviewer your product or products. My guess is that Sigma dont send Mr Rouse free lenses, thus he does not rate them. That can be the only excuse for his diatribe.

[span130502]

Originally Posted by John D

Just wondering if it was thee Andy Rouse that posted these comments. I would have thought he would have to much to lose by making such comments for all to see.
Seems very stupid if he did.
John D

i must admit that is the first thing i thought when i read the review but as graham says he is sponsored by them so it must be. i might resign up to wab as d attenborough

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by glsammy

...They look quite sharp and clear to me...not the muddy mess I was led to believe I could only get.

Personally Graham I reckon that all your shots, not just the few you've shown on this thread, demonstrate beyond any doubt that the Bigma is the best value-for-money lens of its type/size on the market today, whatever the 'experts' say Keep up the good work with it.

Jeff

[John D]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I'm pretty sure it was him. It's that Warehouse place he promotes and supports. They wouldn't let anyone else use his name on those threads.
My opinion of him has gone down a huge amount after reading that tirade of hate. I can't imagine what he thought he was doing, putting that down for the whole world to see.
In the past his posts on other equipment had always been reasonable, whether for or against something.
In my opinion it makes him look like an elitist twit.

Whatever he says, I don't regret buying the Bigma, even if I do replace it one day. (Probably soon...I've got the buying bug.)
I'll probably keep the Bigma anyway, whatever I finally decide to get. It's still the lens I'd take with me if I was after a variety of subjects, large or small.

Yes Graham I just had that thought, but obviously as you say it is thee Andy Rouse.
However I don't know how his comments sit alongside Warehouse Express's views. They must sell a lot more 'mid range Sigmas', Bigmas etc than the top notch lenses Andy Rouse uses. Express would see a big difference if their sales of mid price lenses were to drop due to to AR's comments. Might be interesting to see how long his association with Warehouse Express lasts.
Also wonder if Sigma could make representation to Warehouse Express, as AR is seen as one of their spokesmen and obviously sponsored by Warehouse Express. Don't see Sigma taking to kindly to the comments posted.
AR obviously has his views on what is 'the best' but to be so critical of what has been proven to be excellent equipment in such a way, is ludicrous.
Just my thoughts!
John D