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Long Lens

Posted 10/11/2011 - 16:43 Link
I am looking for a long lens for bird photography, has anyone got or tried the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM OS. Some very good and some poor reviews. The lens looks good and excellently priced at the moment(£599) This price means its just about affordable but still a huge lot of money for me, any feedback would be appreciated. It would be used on my K7.
Regards David
Edited by davidrobinson: 10/11/2011 - 16:44
Blythman
Posted 10/11/2011 - 16:59 - Helpful Comment Link
Just buy it

Loads of pics on my flickr with it. I've also got a fox on my gallery that was hand held at 1/20 sec using the OS
Alan


PPG
Flickr
Edited by Blythman: 10/11/2011 - 17:05
davex
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:03 - Helpful Comment Link
Quote:
has anyone got or tried the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM OS

Do a forum search, you will find lots of very happy owners, including me.
At the current prices it is a steal.

Davex.
K5 + 8mm-500mm zooms and primes
Please feel free to play with any images I post.
My flickr: link
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:15 Link
davex wrote:
Quote:
has anyone got or tried the Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM OS

Do a forum search, you will find lots of very happy owners, including me.
At the current prices it is a steal.

Davex.

Yup I had done a forum search and yes some good and some poor views found. However I think many seem to be about the early versions without Sigma Optical Stabilization.
Thanks for all your views upto now, its making me more comfortable to invest in one. Problem is, if I'm not happy with it I will not be able to buy another so please keep the info coming
Regards David
smudge
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:21 - Helpful Comment Link
I have the non-OS version and it is an impressive lens. It is big and heavy and feels well made. At the long end quality is limited more by technique than lens quality (at least it is for me). Some like Alan manage good results hand held but most of us lesser mortals need a decent tripod. If you want a 500mm AF lens that does not break the bank there really is no other option AFAIK.
Regards, Philip
Mike-P
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:21 - Helpful Comment Link
There really is nothing else in this price bracket to compare, the next one up is a Sigma 50-500mm OS lens at nearly double the price.

I have the old 50-500mm and while it's a great lens you will only find them used now ... the 150-500mm is excellent value for money, you only have to look at Alan and Dave's images taken with the lens to see that.

The last 4 images on my Pentax gallery were taken with the 50-500mm.
Edited by Mike-P: 10/11/2011 - 17:24
davex
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:26 - Helpful Comment Link
Quote:
Problem is, if I'm not happy with it I will not be able to buy another

At it`s current price you will not get anywhere near 500mm with any other option, where are you based? if anywhere near Chester am happy to let you have a play with mine.

In test`s I have tried the lens OS is a good as my K5 SR.
I know some folks may shout at this, but TBH I frequently leave them both on, does not seem to make any difference, have not found any observable evidence that they may cancel each other out, as alleged by others.



Davex.
K5 + 8mm-500mm zooms and primes
Please feel free to play with any images I post.
My flickr: link
Posted 10/11/2011 - 17:33 Link
davex wrote:
Quote:
Problem is, if I'm not happy with it I will not be able to buy another

At it`s current price you will not get anywhere near 500mm with any other option, where are you based? if anywhere near Chester am happy to let you have a play with mine.

In test`s I have tried the lens OS is a good as my K5 SR.
I know some folks may shout at this, but TBH I frequently leave them both on, does not seem to make any difference, have not found any observable evidence that they may cancel each other out, as alleged by others.

Hi Dave
Thanks for the offer but I live in Lincolnshire so a bit of a long trip to try your lens. However the Lincoln branch will let me try a Canon/Nikon version on one of their cameras so I may take them up on the offer. They say they will match Ffords http://www.ffordes.com/product/10072316352212
price for as long as Sigma have stocks at the new low price.
Thanks again for the kind offer
David



Davex.

Mannesty
Posted 10/11/2011 - 18:18 Link
davidrobinson wrote:
davex wrote:
Quote:
Problem is, if I'm not happy with it I will not be able to buy another

At it`s current price you will not get anywhere near 500mm with any other option, where are you based? if anywhere near Chester am happy to let you have a play with mine.

In test`s I have tried the lens OS is a good as my K5 SR.
I know some folks may shout at this, but TBH I frequently leave them both on, does not seem to make any difference, have not found any observable evidence that they may cancel each other out, as alleged by others.

Hi Dave
Thanks for the offer but I live in Lincolnshire so a bit of a long trip to try your lens. However the Lincoln branch will let me try a Canon/Nikon version on one of their cameras so I may take them up on the offer. They say they will match Ffords http://www.ffordes.com/product/10072316352212
price for as long as Sigma have stocks at the new low price.
Thanks again for the kind offer
David



Davex.


It's a superb lens, and I may be guilty of evangelism here, but, it's a bit cheaper (OK, only 0.99p) from SRS and you get free postage if you quote your PU user name when you order. If you have any problems with it, their after-sales service is second to none.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Edited by Mannesty: 10/11/2011 - 18:19
Posted 17/11/2011 - 20:32 Link
Took the plunge and bought the Sigma 150-500, what a brilliant lens as you can see. https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/happy-couple-37690/large

Thanks for all the advice
Regards David
Posted 17/11/2011 - 21:12 Link
Great shot David. You have chosen wisely.
In all honesty it is better than the 170-500mm I have, I tried one at focus and it is faster focusing and sharper.

Big thumbs up.
Some Cameras
Posted 17/11/2011 - 21:16 Link
Offertonhatter wrote:
Great shot David. You have chosen wisely.
In all honesty it is better than the 170-500mm I have, I tried one at focus and it is faster focusing and sharper.

Big thumbs up.

Thanks for the compliment I am a very happy chappy. Must admit now I see the picture on the website I think I may have over egged the clarity slider.
Regards David

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