my version of the lens does not have SR or IS - how does turning the IS off in the camera help with focus?

Too dark now for the tiles but that is a good idea Algi - I'll give it a go. Chris - I left stabilisation on (I always do). Does leaving it on effect sharpness and if so how. Re the higher iso - I tried that before to get the shutter speed up and just makes things worse a horribly noisy but I'll give it another go.

Rightly or wrongly I presumed by taking it on auto then the best settings would be achieved.

re the focus, I have zoomed in on all parts of the birds and the branch to check - none of it is in focus.

How much do sigma charge for "checking and correcting" a lens?

Hi Pete - at 500mm -auto put it all at f6.3, iso 320, ET320.

Ok, just went out - light not great, figured "auto" knows best - this is typical shot with this lens - tripod but did not go as far as mu and rt - this has had no PP, no cropping, its high res as in 9MB! - nothing is in focus/sharp - the subject i.e. the bird (focused on this), the branch in the fore or tree/twigs in the background - its not the camera as it takes tack sharp with my old glass etc. Thoughts welcome. I brought the lens 2nd hand - is it time to send it to Sigma for some adjustments?


this second image shows what this camera can do with manual 50mm lens

thanks for all of the above - starting to think something on my sigma 150- 500 maybe out of kilter - had it for two years and never got an image with it that I am happy with re sharpness. Are their things with this lens that can wear, come lose etc which can throw it off kilter?

No - I'll check that out. I was impressed by the sharpness of the 560mm - in your experience is the 150-450 in the same league?

Hi - I have a K5 ii S, have been using a sigma 150-500 but cannot get it pin sharp (or as sharp as I think it should be), starting to think about jumping to a prime. I have not been that impressed with the Sigma 150-500 so thinking about P DA560mm instead. What would you guys recommend?

Stephen

Thanks for all these tips I'll try them out when I get a moment and report back.

Mirror up which seems to switch AS off but default is AS on. I have never fine tuned a lens - I am a bit of a newbie in that respect. Please advise further on that.

tripod (very solid "red snapper") shooting birds in good light, iso 1600, f14, 650 shutter. I purchased the lens second hand for about £380 - never ever given me a sharp shot, always just off.