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?....
It's my suspicion that your Nikon set up giving f4 at 400mm, and some cropping if required, might be better than a monstrous one-size-fits-all f5-6.3. If you want to spend money, how about the Nikon 200-500 f5? http://www.johnlewis.com/nikon-af-s-dx-fx-nikkor-2...
What you need for more keepers is fast AF, top optical quality and best aperture.
What you need for more keepers is fast AF, top optical quality and best aperture.
I rented a 150-600 Sport for Motogp this year.
Its a big old beast, and pretty heavy.
Im not sure its worth the price tbh - whilst Ive not tried the Contemporary, this is suuposedly lighter and cheaper.
AF and IQ was ok, not exceptional in my eyes.
I always thought the 50-500 way to much a jack of all trades so have no experience with it.
Its a big old beast, and pretty heavy.
Im not sure its worth the price tbh - whilst Ive not tried the Contemporary, this is suuposedly lighter and cheaper.
AF and IQ was ok, not exceptional in my eyes.
I always thought the 50-500 way to much a jack of all trades so have no experience with it.
Ive got the 150-600 contemporary, brought it as needed something to get me closer to the action, it is quite heavy handheld so use it on a monopod for motorsport, havnt had any focusing issues and has performed well so far.
A couple pics from it, feel free to look through my Flickr, most of the recent shots are using it https://www.flickr.com/photos/tim0854/
A couple pics from it, feel free to look through my Flickr, most of the recent shots are using it https://www.flickr.com/photos/tim0854/
If you decide to go down that route, get the Contemporary over the Sport.
There's not a great deal of difference IQ wise; the only real difference is the construction and weather sealing. Unless weather sealing is a major requirement for you, the Contemporary is just as good and almost half the price.
The Sport is extremely heavy, and very difficult to use handheld, especially at air shows. It's possible, but not particularly practical and you may find your hit rate won't be any better as you'll be fighting balancing the lens.
There's not a great deal of difference IQ wise; the only real difference is the construction and weather sealing. Unless weather sealing is a major requirement for you, the Contemporary is just as good and almost half the price.
The Sport is extremely heavy, and very difficult to use handheld, especially at air shows. It's possible, but not particularly practical and you may find your hit rate won't be any better as you'll be fighting balancing the lens.
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....
Simpo Two said:
how about the Nikon 200-500 f5? http://www.johnlewis.com/nikon-af-s-dx-fx-nikkor-2...
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes - Awesome lensI have the 200-500mm Nikon
I'm not the sort of person to spend that kind of money without some very serious thought, but it should be your choice without question. Tons of ability to crop on the D810 so I don't reckon the extra 100mm from the Sigma is a consideration.
A fantastic lens and if you can grab a used one for perhaps £900.00 you'll find it will still be worth a good chunk of that in a few years time should you wish to sell.
I'm not the sort of person to spend that kind of money without some very serious thought, but it should be your choice without question. Tons of ability to crop on the D810 so I don't reckon the extra 100mm from the Sigma is a consideration.
A fantastic lens and if you can grab a used one for perhaps £900.00 you'll find it will still be worth a good chunk of that in a few years time should you wish to sell.
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....
I've almost always bought used lenses and camera bodies.
The only reason my 200-500mm was new was because it was only just released. Most other stuff has come from www.mpb.com - Thoroughly reputable and very fair prices IMHO.
Mifsuds are very good for used kit too.
MPB have one right now, £200 saving on new:
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-phot...
I'd buy that without hesitation.
The only reason my 200-500mm was new was because it was only just released. Most other stuff has come from www.mpb.com - Thoroughly reputable and very fair prices IMHO.
Mifsuds are very good for used kit too.
MPB have one right now, £200 saving on new:
https://www.mpb.com/en-uk/used-equipment/used-phot...
I'd buy that without hesitation.
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