Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO - any good?

OrangePerson

OrangePerson

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Anyone have an opinion on this lens please, I tried it briefly in the shop and it seemed great but the price & weight seem too good to be true for a 500 lens. I want it mainly for a trip to Uganda (& possible others in future now I'm vaccinated to the hilt) and birds (amateurish on the birding) and zoos.

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Lens
 
Just back from a trip and bought the lens in Hong Kong along with upgrading Nikon d90 to d7100. Didn't get a lot of opportunity to test it out because it was the end of the trip and we had done the shanghai and Beijing zoos already. Did use it at ocean park and was very impressed compared to my old tamron but could be camera too. I got a monopod to help steady but got very clear photos at 500 of macaws flying in the bird show and dolphins in the dolphin show. Struggled in low light. If I can get organized enough I will pot some photos
 
"Good" is highly subjective. If you look on any serious photo forums they will probably tell you it is no good, because those are the kind of people who do test shots of line charts and blow it up 500 percent to check lens sharpness. In other words, things no one in real life would actually use a lens for.

For your purposes it may be fine. I am a finicky semi-pro photographer who routinely blows photos up to 24x36 inches and bigger, so for me it would not work. But if you are doing standard prints (say up to 8x10 or 11x14 inches) or posting them online, it should be ok.

You may want to rent one first. Alternatively, if you are buying it at a local shop, take your camera in and do some photos in the store and then check them at home before purchasing the lens.

Unfortunately, there is no other cheap way to get to 500mm. The dedicated 500 f/4 lenses cost as much as a new compact automobile.

If you want long reach and professional quality sharpness, the best lens for the money (if you use Canon) is the 400 f/5.6L, but it is not a zoom.
 
OrangePerson said:
I want it mainly for a trip to Uganda (& possible others in future now I'm vaccinated to the hilt) and birds (amateurish on the birding) and zoos.
Click to expand...

When are you going to Uganda?

:p

Hix
 
Thanks everyone, my photos are mainly for my own enjoyment and rarely even get printed. One of my thoughts for the trip (September) was to rent a really good lens but then I'd miss it when I get back. They have a couple of second hand ones which made me think 'Does this mean people don't like them' but also 'Well I could save hundred quid or two' one of my main concerns is the British lack of bright days!
 
looks like Hix and OrangePerson are probably just going to miss each other in Uganda!
 
Chlidonias said:
looks like Hix and OrangePerson are probably just going to miss each other in Uganda!
Click to expand...

That depends on when in September OrangePerson will be there, as I'll be there for the first two weeks.

:p

Hix
 
oh, you might get that Zoochat Uganda get-together after all! We wait in anticipation.....
 
I have owned the Sigma 150-500 mm for a little over a year now, and I LOVE it. I would love to have a Nikon 500 mm F4 lens, but I don't have $12,000 to spare. For a tenth of that, you cannot beat the Sigma.

I use it primarily for birding, but I also take it to zoos. I carry one body with the 150-500 and another with a Nikon 18-200, and together I have the full range covered.

Bottom line, it's not a pro lens, but pro lenses cost pro money. So unless you are getting paid to take photos or you have a rich uncle that died and left everything to you, the Sigma is a great option.
 
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Zoochat Uganda Get-together (ZUG) it is then! Hix can point out the siffling cisticolas to OrangePerson, and OrangePerson can point out the elephants to Hix.

Seriously though, Hix is a good fellow to have on board with your trip.
 
Just posted some Hong Kong Ocean park photos. A lot of these used the new Sigma lens but it was my first day using it so I was still getting used to not getting the jitters at the wrong time :)
 
This lens is being sold at a good price. Does anyone know if it will work on a canon eos 600d?

Also, what a pleasant coincidence that you are both going on the same tour. Will you do a joint blog? :D
 
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