First shots with Sigma 150-500

I had an hour spare this afternoon so went up to the aerodrome to try out my new Sigma 150-500. I think I could have got away with a higher shutter speed than the 1/125 and 1/180 was using to preserve the
prop motion, in order to get them a bit sharper. But these are the speeds (and lower) that I normally shoot motorsport stuff, which was what I bought this lens for, so wanted to get some practice in on moving targets at longer FL, and also see how well the OS worked when panning. It's definitely harder than swinging the little 55-300, and even the heavier DA*200. I might go back up there tomorrow and have a bash with the Tair 300 and my old Tele-Takumar 400 as well.

500mm
[IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/Crossed-up/PUF/_IGP0223.jpg[/IMG]

400mm
[IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/Crossed-up/PUF/_IGP0272.jpg[/IMG]

370mm
[IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/Crossed-up/PUF/_IGP0246.jpg[/IMG]

Good Set, no problem on my VDU, regarding sharpness, background blur just right to convey the aircraft speed in 3.
I would say an hour well spent.

Take care.

Chris R.

are you using a monopod? I was shooting rally this week using 1/640 at times.... and the monopod was a godsend.

Bret

Thanks for the comments guys.

Regarding the sharpness Chris, I think I have just been spoilt by the DA*200. It is unfair to compare the two (a budget zoom, and a premium prime at half the FL) but I think a heavily cropped image from the 200 can compare with a 300-400 image from the zoom.

Here's a shot from the DA*200 at the same sort of panning and shutter speeds.
[IMG]http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc276/Crossed-up/PUF/_IGP0213.jpg[/IMG]

No Bret, I wasn't using a monopod, they were just handheld. I have tried a 'pod at motorsport events but found it unnecessary with the DA55-300. The Sigma is a bit of a beast though so might give it another go. Its early days with the Sigma so I'll just do some more practice before my trip to the Old Timer GP in a couple of weeks time.

Simon.