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Thread: New advice on a new tele lens

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    New advice on a new tele lens

    I managed to pick up a D600 recently,and I am looking at a tele lens. Looking at the 300MM to 500MM range,preferably with a built-in focusing montor,and probably going to get a lens secondhand(below £500). I have narrowed it down to a few choices:
    1.)Sigma 50-500MM
    2.)Sigma 150-500MM
    3.)Sigma 120-400MM
    4.)Sigma 100-300MM/F4(probably will get the 1.4X TC at a later date).

    Anybody have experience of the lenses - wanting mostly to take pictures of aircraft with them. Any alternatives??

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    I have of the first two, PK mount naturally.

    1) Don't bother, played with one for quite a while, it ticked the box as being the "ultimate travel lens" but frankly it was just bad all round.
    2) I own it. Great lens up to 300mm, then soft. AutoFocus is good in continuous drive mode.

    they all have one thing in common, they are software at the edges than the centre, guessing that won't be an issue for you too much. But for 3) It's only 529 at SRS, with the 3 year sigma warranty....

    Edit: you have an FF body, ignore my praise, YMMV so far. But number 1 is a turd of a lens.
    http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...mp=6&APIComp=1
    Last edited by TheAnimus; 06-08-2014 at 07:51 PM.
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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    I have the old bigma (no OS), mainly use it for birds but it does get waved at some aircraft.


    Have to say its bloody useless as a travel lens, too big, heavy and unwieldy.
    Have you thought about hiring some to try? Or if planet moose is anywhere near me you could borrow my rather old bigma for a weekend.

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Thanks TheAnimus and Flibb,the main reason I am looking for a lens now is for Airbourne in around two weeks - PMed you Flibb.

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    I hope to be going to Airbourne myself, but am moving the following weekend so probably will not make it. Will reply to the PM.

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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    I normally turn the OS off for aviation stuff, I spent ages lined up against the runway on an aerodrome I fly from (pilots license and club membership has it perks!) the in lens stuff I found added too much inertia to tracking, very quickly my study of boring C152s showed me that I was best off with no lens OS, and turning the IS in body on.
    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Thanks TheAnimus and Flibb,the main reason I am looking for a lens now is for Airbourne in around two weeks - PMed you Flibb.
    If you can afford the new (given the whole 3 year warranty, I'd recommend it) if you can get to some place like SRS they will happily let you try them all out, side by side if need be.

    That said Flibb having used the lens on the same system is likely to be very useful advice!
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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Just spotted that you are FF, I am using a D90 so the edges are a bit less of an issue. Will PM you about Eastbourne but have just grovelled to the wife and might have a day pass.

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    120-300 2.8 with x2 tele - 600mm






    near on 500mm

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    I normally turn the OS off for aviation stuff, I spent ages lined up against the runway on an aerodrome I fly from (pilots license and club membership has it perks!) the in lens stuff I found added too much inertia to tracking, very quickly my study of boring C152s showed me that I was best off with no lens OS, and turning the IS in body on.
    If you can afford the new (given the whole 3 year warranty, I'd recommend it) if you can get to some place like SRS they will happily let you try them all out, side by side if need be.

    That said Flibb having used the lens on the same system is likely to be very useful advice!
    Thats an interesting find!

    Quote Originally Posted by Flibb View Post
    Just spotted that you are FF, I am using a D90 so the edges are a bit less of an issue. Will PM you about Eastbourne but have just grovelled to the wife and might have a day pass.
    If you can that would be cool!

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Quote Originally Posted by Bobster View Post
    120-300 2.8 with x2 tele - 600mm






    near on 500mm
    Is that with OS or no OS and what body?? How is the AF??

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Quote Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH View Post
    Is that with OS or no OS and what body?? How is the AF??
    the lens has OS - but these were all with OS off - 7D - AF is very quick even with the tele converter

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    Re: New advice on a new tele lens

    Quote Originally Posted by Bobster View Post
    the lens has OS - but these were all with OS off - 7D - AF is very quick even with the tele converter
    OK,I do seem to be drawn towards the 100-300MM/F4 ATM.

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