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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??
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
I have the old bigma (no OS), mainly use it for birds but it does get waved at some aircraft.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...no/Fighter.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S...Red%2BBull.jpg
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.
Thanks TheAnimus and Flibb,the main reason I am looking for a lens now is for Airbourne in around two weeks - PMed you Flibb.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH
That said Flibb having used the lens on the same system is likely to be very useful advice!
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.
Thats an interesting find!Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAnimus
If you can that would be cool!Quote:
Originally Posted by Flibb
Is that with OS or no OS and what body?? How is the AF??Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobster
the lens has OS - but these were all with OS off - 7D - AF is very quick even with the tele converterQuote:
Originally Posted by CAT-THE-FIFTH
OK,I do seem to be drawn towards the 100-300MM/F4 ATM.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobster