Sigma 50-500 "Bigma" versus new 150-600 Sports
Discussion
I'm fairly sure that this is just a case of a pointless desire for the latest kit, but I've been reading the pretty good reviews for the Sigma 150-600 Sport
I already have a Sigma 50-500 OS - its a decent lens for the money, but its not good in anything less than very good light and the AF is a bit slow.
Given that I'm into motorsports and airshows, I can't really expect the subject to slow down for me, so I find that my hit rate with the Bigma is about 5/10 as keepers and 2/10 really sharp enough to show off.
I'm thinking that the 150-600 is better simply by virtue of being a a few years newer and benefiting from up-to-date technology, as well as having the slightly improved reach.
For what its worth, I also have a superb Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII and I've just acquired a 1.4 teleconverter, so I already have a modest reach at about f4. I'm running a D810, so cropping isn't an issue.
So - has anyone upgraded from a 50-500 to a 150-600? Was it worth it or am I simply looking for half a reason to spend a grand on the latest bling? Would I be better spending a few quid on tuition to use the 70-200 more effectively?
I know most reviews say that getting closer is far better than buying a long lens, but its generally not possible at motorsports events and its getting far harder at airshows
Your thoughts?....
I already have a Sigma 50-500 OS - its a decent lens for the money, but its not good in anything less than very good light and the AF is a bit slow.
Given that I'm into motorsports and airshows, I can't really expect the subject to slow down for me, so I find that my hit rate with the Bigma is about 5/10 as keepers and 2/10 really sharp enough to show off.
I'm thinking that the 150-600 is better simply by virtue of being a a few years newer and benefiting from up-to-date technology, as well as having the slightly improved reach.
For what its worth, I also have a superb Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VRII and I've just acquired a 1.4 teleconverter, so I already have a modest reach at about f4. I'm running a D810, so cropping isn't an issue.
So - has anyone upgraded from a 50-500 to a 150-600? Was it worth it or am I simply looking for half a reason to spend a grand on the latest bling? Would I be better spending a few quid on tuition to use the 70-200 more effectively?
I know most reviews say that getting closer is far better than buying a long lens, but its generally not possible at motorsports events and its getting far harder at airshows
Your thoughts?....
Hmmmm - so the choice has now widened...
1) Keep the Sigma 50-500
2) Go for the Sigma 150-600
3) Spend about the same on the Nikon 200-500 (Thanks Simpo Two - I hadn't twigged that this lens was quite as good as the reviews suggest, especially at its price-point compared with the 80-400)
I've recently bought a Nikkon 1.7 teleconverter to use with my 70-200 (on the basis that a 1.7 converted 70-200 would be better than the Sigma). I'm now thinking that :-
The bare 70-200 will be good for low-light.
The 1.7 converted 70-200 would be good for extra reach and super-fast AF (motorsports where you can get decently close)
A 200-500 would be good for big-track motorsports where its difficult to get close (LeMans, Silverstone etc)
A 1.7 converted 200-500 would be good for wildlife and possibly airshows if the light is good enough
I'm presuming that the AF on the Nikkor lens is going to be better than any Sigma?
The most pertinent question of course is how on earth I ended up here after only having a £200 Fuji bridge camera three years ago....
1) Keep the Sigma 50-500
2) Go for the Sigma 150-600
3) Spend about the same on the Nikon 200-500 (Thanks Simpo Two - I hadn't twigged that this lens was quite as good as the reviews suggest, especially at its price-point compared with the 80-400)
I've recently bought a Nikkon 1.7 teleconverter to use with my 70-200 (on the basis that a 1.7 converted 70-200 would be better than the Sigma). I'm now thinking that :-
The bare 70-200 will be good for low-light.
The 1.7 converted 70-200 would be good for extra reach and super-fast AF (motorsports where you can get decently close)
A 200-500 would be good for big-track motorsports where its difficult to get close (LeMans, Silverstone etc)
A 1.7 converted 200-500 would be good for wildlife and possibly airshows if the light is good enough
I'm presuming that the AF on the Nikkor lens is going to be better than any Sigma?
The most pertinent question of course is how on earth I ended up here after only having a £200 Fuji bridge camera three years ago....
Thanks for all the feedback so far - much appreciated
I've been doing a lot of Googling and a fair bit of thinking....
Based on completed Ebay auctions, I reckon I can get £500+ for my Bigma (its the OS version). This makes a replacement much easier on the wallet (as well as less likely to be discovered by SWMBO)
I'm a bit miffed that the 200-500 won't autofocus on a 1.7 converter (it'll only autofocus on the 1.4 with the D810). Still - it gives me an excuse to get a 1.4 TC as well and I guess the 200-500 will be a bit better with the smaller TC
Whilst I'm from Yorkshire and like a bargain, I don't like spending this kind of money on secondhand gear, so I'll probably spend an afternoon playing Calumet against Jessops in Birmingham. My son is about to buy a new body and lens (Canon 5D Mk 3 or 4, plus a 70-200 L), so I may jump on the back of his deal and hit them for a big discount.
I wonder if any of the high street retailers will be doing any Black Friday offers....
I've been doing a lot of Googling and a fair bit of thinking....
Based on completed Ebay auctions, I reckon I can get £500+ for my Bigma (its the OS version). This makes a replacement much easier on the wallet (as well as less likely to be discovered by SWMBO)
I'm a bit miffed that the 200-500 won't autofocus on a 1.7 converter (it'll only autofocus on the 1.4 with the D810). Still - it gives me an excuse to get a 1.4 TC as well and I guess the 200-500 will be a bit better with the smaller TC
Whilst I'm from Yorkshire and like a bargain, I don't like spending this kind of money on secondhand gear, so I'll probably spend an afternoon playing Calumet against Jessops in Birmingham. My son is about to buy a new body and lens (Canon 5D Mk 3 or 4, plus a 70-200 L), so I may jump on the back of his deal and hit them for a big discount.
I wonder if any of the high street retailers will be doing any Black Friday offers....
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