Sigma lens

[steve1840]

I'm looking to get some input on a choice I am having a hard time making for myself. I know there are a few of you on here that use Sigma lenses.

Currently I am using a Canon 100-400L, but today I happened to be on B&H Photo website and started looking into new glass. I have been looking at getting a little mroe focal length and looked at the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Autofocus. Has anybody ever used this lens, and if so would I be stupid to trade in my 100-400 to make this purchase? I would like to find out as much as I can about it. I will read some reviews online, but I would like to hear from you guys too. Especially since I would be hearing info from someone who uses it for aviation photography as I will be using it for mostly.

Thanks,

Steve F

[gonzalu]

I would NOT trade in an L 100-400mm for a Sigma 150-500mmm no matter how good the Sigma is on paper. I believe the 100-400 to be better built and have better optics. And this from ZERO personal experience :-)

If you're looking for more reach, you will be saddened when you mostly magnify air and heat shimmer and turbulence.

What you may want is to fill your frame AT THE SAME distance with smaller aircraft. That I would support. But simply more FL for the sake of capturing from further away is not very rewarding in our hobby.

If all you care about is capturing and collecting and NOT quality, then by all means go for it. But keep in mind the fact that your new 500mm will seem poor when the images you get are looking very blurry or similar because of the compression.

On another level, it is sometimes nice to be able to fill the frame when a corp or biz jet comes by. But again, your distance is still small.

Just trying to make your life miserable as I am sure you were almost certain you wanted to buy a new longer tele. LOL

[steve1840]

Thats one thing I've been tossing around. I have the funds to get the 150-500 without trading in the 100-400, but was thinking that I'm not sure if I would need both in the bag. I am leaning towards taking monday off and coming down and paying a visit to the B&H store. Is there there a reputable camera shop outside of the city that may have that in stock?

[Zee71]

Ditto........I echo Manny's comments. I don't use Canon, but I would not get rid of this lens. I'm sure all the Canon users will probably tell you likewise. I think there are Caono rumors cirulating as well, that Canon may be coming out with a replacement for this lens. Please wait for the Canon users to chime in.

[steve1840]

Thanks for the buzz kill Manny

In all seriousness, actually, thank you. I saw that lens and started to get excited. I need someone to snap me out of it once in a while. I see your point and do agree with you. THat as good as it would be to be able to fill the frame a little mroe when a smaller aircraft comes by, it wouldn't justify the expense.

I would NOT trade in an L 100-400mm for a Sigma 150-500mmm no matter how good the Sigma is on paper. I believe the 100-400 to be better built and have better optics. And this from ZERO personal experience :-)

If you're looking for more reach, you will be saddened when you mostly magnify air and heat shimmer and turbulence.

What you may want is to fill your frame AT THE SAME distance with smaller aircraft. That I would support. But simply more FL for the same of capturing from further away is not very rewarding in our hobby.

If all you care about is capturing and collecting and NOT quality, then by all means go for it. But keep in mind the fact that your new 500mm will seem poor when the images you get are looking very blurry or similar because of the compression.

On another level, it is sometimes nice to be able to fill the frame when a corp or biz jet comes by. But again, your distance is still small.

Just trying to make your life miserable as I am sure you were almost certain you wanted to buy a new longer tele. LOL

[moose135]

I have the funds to get the 150-500 without trading in the 100-400...

How about buying me a nice wide angle instead? But seriously, I doubt you will get enough performance out of the Sigma to warrant the cost if you already have the 100-400.

[Derf]

how about a nice 1.4X tele converter for that 100-400?

[steve1840]

how about a nice 1.4X tele converter for that 100-400?

I was thinking that, but I have been reading that since my 100-400 has a max aperture of f/4.5-5.6 the autofocus won't work. Is that true?

[njgtr82]

The only thing I would trade my 100-400 for is a new upgraded version

[SmAlbany]

I was thinking that, but I have been reading that since my 100-400 has a max aperture of f/4.5-5.6 the autofocus won't work. Is that true?

From what I've read, the autofocus with that combo will only work on a pro series body (eg EOS 1-D Mark IV or similar).

[steve1840]

From what I've read, the autofocus with that combo will only work on a pro series body (eg EOS 1-D Mark IV or similar).

My body is a 5D MKII, which I do not believe they consider a pro body

[NIKV69]

Isn't the AF real slow on the Sigma, I mean for a 500 the glass is prob decent but for moving things it's prob a fail. You may be able to manage arrivals but would struggle with departures.

[SmAlbany]

My body is a 5D MKII, which I do not believe they consider a pro body

I believe that is correct. The 1 series bodies can autofocus with a maximum aperature of f/8. The other canon bodies (including the 5D II) require a max aperture of f/5.6.

With a teleconverter, you need to multiply the max aperture of the lense by the extender. On a 1 series body, the 100-400 would autofocus with a 1.4TC but not with the 2X.

[steve1840]

Guys, I appreciate all the good info on this subject. I believe I have made my decision and I am NOT going to get the Sigma lens. I will stick with my 100-400 and just go to areas where I don't really need the extra length. I will most likely be investign in some good wide angle lenses though.

I can tell that I am loving this hobby more and more everyday as I am in the middle of selling my Camaro (was going to be my main hobby before photography and spotting came along) so that I can buy photo gear, lenses, etc.

[megatop412]

Well people, I hate to throw a fly in the proverbial ointment, but, I personally have not experienced any lack in optical quality OR focussing speed with this lens. I am satisfied with it except for the slight vignetting it produces.

All of the photos in this recent thread were taken with the Sigma 150-500, mounted to a Nikon D40x:

http://nycaviation.com/forum/threads...-26-28-March-1