I use the 150-500mm and I find it a superb lens and have got some cracking shots with it. I have heard a lot of people saying that the lens throws out "soft" images at 500mm but I have been shooting off razor sharp images at full zoom without a problem. It is a great lens...

BUT...

If you want a lens with more coverage I would say go for the 50-500mm. I know it's three or four hundred quid more but I think it would be better for wild life. I shoot mainly motorsport with mine so I dont't really need it to go down to 50mm as I run two cameras. One with a smaller lens on.

These images were shot using the 150-500mm:

Motorpsort Shots Link

To give you some idea of wildlife stuff...

This was taken at 500mm:


As you can see that's at 500mm and as sharp as they come.

Here's another wildlife shot taken on it:


It's basically a choice as to what zoom coverage you would like!

As for autofocus.... You need to check if you camera supports HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor). I do not know if the GX10 supports this.

I think it's a little bit of both...

So does that make me a photist?

Yes I could of cropped in that manner but I personally like to have it with the water droplets coming off the back of the goose in the frame than loose them or make the goose smaller to accommodate them!

Spose it's personal choice and also on my part a bit of shooting fast jets coming out! I normally have that to one side so I can get the jet wash in to!

Poole Council seems to be jumping the gun a bit...

I shoot commercially and as far as I am aware and as stated Peter Jenkins there is no law to stop us shooitng if we are in a public place. There are exceptions but on the main you are pretty much free to shoot but most beaches and parks are classed as public places.

All this is is councils trying to flex there muslces and it would not suprise me at all if they tried to charge us for a "license" to shoot.

Have a look at this PDF. I would also recomend printing it out and keep a copy when you are out shooting!

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/ukphotographersrights-v2.pdf

It's also bloody stupid. We are slowly but surely turning into a nanny state where you need to ask mummy and daddy for a letter to let you go out playing.

This needs to stop... I am an adult and it's my choice not the goverments.

Sigma 150-500mm DG HSM

I've been panning for years shooting fast jets and motorsport but birds are more of a handful and no where as predictable!! I just sat and watched them as someone advised me before starting to shoot.

Thank you for all the comments!

Here's the original forum post where I asked the question:

link

I played with both pre-focusing and continuous and to be honest I found continuous best. I don't really have a problem with panning or exposure as I shoot a lot of fast jets and motorsport but the key is being patient and waiting for the opportunity to present itself. It's pre-empting them and also to a certain extent being very reactive. Get the camera set regarding exposure so you are not fannying with the camera when you should be shooting.

Thanks again guys for all the advice and tips!

Ian

PS. On my original post I spoke about running up to shutter speeds up at the 1/1000th range but I was shooting these at 1/400th at either f6.3 or f8. At those shutter speeds smooth even panning is paramount!

Not in the to distant past I posted asking for some advice and what not on how to shoot birds flying...

Today I put all your tips and advice to use and came out with these:













Thanks for all the advice and tips!! - They are still harder to shoot than fast jets or fast cars!

Just wondering if the battery grip will go on to the K20D and how much would it be with shipping?

I agree the technical aspects and some tricks can be taught...

But photography is an art form and I believe that comes from within. It's how you perceive things as an individual. It's the same with music. That is another subject that you can learn the technical sides of.

It's what you create that is important.

For me I find that just going out and playing with the camera is the best way to learn it.

I think it would because then it would portray some movement! Plus with a slightly blurred back ground it will make the bike, ramp and the flames stand out more!