Sigma 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM SPORTS owners thread

The dock arrived today, need to investigate further what this can do...
 
not been on this thread for a while ,but still plodding on with the lens ,for the unitiated to get the best performance out of this lens you NEED the usb dock or its just a normal zoom lens ,so once acquired in your C1 setting put in
A/F set to main focus point priority .
O/S set to dynamic view
focus length set to 10-12 mtrs to infinity (adjust this to suit your subjects)

all three changes need to be done and each one must be re-written to the lens one at a time . this turns the lens into a high power optic ,it really does work in practise try it .!!!!

couple from today to prove it View attachment 38073View attachment 38074

I will not be getting the S but may get the C to replace my Tamron 150-600,the three settings you suggest i understand are available on the C but you say all three are important,the problem for me would be i often work at the closest focus distance,do you think it would be worth doing the other two.
 
Mike ,I,m coming up for 70 I don't find the lens a problem for me ,saying that there's not that much difference in performance between the S and C. Models

Yes they all have to be implemented to work ,I have my lens set up with C2 for distance with the quoted setting and C1 set for close range with the distance set from minimum to 12 metres ,and not forgetting you can simply switch off the settings and revert to normal use as well at any time
 
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Mike ,I,m coming up for 70 I don't find the lens a problem for me ,saying that there's not that much difference in performance between the S and C. Models

Yes they all have to be implemented to work ,I have my lens set up with C2 for distance with the quoted setting and C1 set for close range with the distance set from minimum to 12 metres ,and not forgetting you can simply switch off the settings and revert to normal use as well at any time

Thanks for your reply,
 
Gradually getting the hang of this lens, even managed to get some BIF shots !

It looks like the lens (my copy at least) works best at f8 when used at 600mm, not sure what this LBB is but it was singing its heart out :)

lbb1.jpg
 
yep i think f8 is about right ,you can shoot sharp shots wide open but lose d.o.f ,heres one of mine from today
View attachment 38462
 
If, as it seems, the forum is degrading images (have a look at other threads where this is discussed), could people please start adding a link to an external site for their work? I don't know what to make of these. I'd have them down as very good, but maybe they are excellent!
 
If, as it seems, the forum is degrading images (have a look at other threads where this is discussed), could people please start adding a link to an external site for their work? I don't know what to make of these. I'd have them down as very good, but maybe they are excellent!
heres the same shot as the one above from flickr ,should be easy to compare .
well after posting i have to admit i can't see any degradation in the i/q
pure delicacy by jeff cohen, on Flickr
 
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@the black fox: thanks for that. I don't either. But uploaders in other threads have definitely commented on image degradation. A puzzler.

And a great capture by the way--elusive little buggers! Must be the long reach. :)
 
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oh dear ,thats not going to be a cheap replacement for the loser ,even if they have one available as the lens is so new .
 
Can anyone recommend a lens plate for this lens please? Apologies if it's been asked before.
 
Can anyone recommend a lens plate for this lens please? Apologies if it's been asked before.
i use a arca type lens plate 140mm ,bolted on through two of the mount screws ,readily available from e/bay for a few pounds ,i may well change for a longer one in the near future though ,i was hanging on for the new sigma replacement TS-81 tripod foot but at £200 they can stick it where the sun don't shine ,total rip off imho .suppose it depends what type of fitting you use on your gimbal/tripod heads ryan
 
back to results ,i'm due to go to bempton on sunday for a week or so ,so i thought that with todays good weather i would give the camera ,lens and 1.4tc a go .very pleased with the results ,canon 1Dmkiii ,canon mkii 1.4tc ,sigma 150-600 S lens ,both shots HAND HELD at 840mm focal length ,particularly pleased with the gull in flight

getting ready by jeff cohen, on Flickr

i,m converted by jeff cohen, on Flickr
 
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i use a arca type lens plate 140mm ,bolted on through two of the mount screws ,readily available from e/bay for a few pounds ,i may well change for a longer one in the near future though ,i was hanging on for the new sigma replacement TS-81 tripod foot but at £200 they can stick it where the sun don't shine ,total rip off imho .suppose it depends what type of fitting you use on your gimbal/tripod heads ryan
i use a arca type lens plate 140mm ,bolted on through two of the mount screws ,readily available from e/bay for a few pounds ,i may well change for a longer one in the near future though ,i was hanging on for the new sigma replacement TS-81 tripod foot but at £200 they can stick it where the sun don't shine ,total rip off imho .suppose it depends what type of fitting you use on your gimbal/tripod heads ryan

Thanks Jeff. I use an Arca type one too. You couldn't link me one on ebay could you please? I've shot weddings professionally for 6 years but this wildlife thing is just for fun (and I must admit I'm a bit ignorant as to what I need!!). Thank you! Your shots on here are superb btw :)
 
Thanks Jeff. I use an Arca type one too. You couldn't link me one on ebay could you please? I've shot weddings professionally for 6 years but this wildlife thing is just for fun (and I must admit I'm a bit ignorant as to what I need!!). Thank you! Your shots on here are superb btw :)
try this one e/bay number 161681927331 cost post free £13.97
 
Thanks Jeff. That's perfect. Have just ordered one.
it acts to stop the bottom of the lens foot from getting scratched ryan ,also as an extended hand grip/support mine is mounted quite a way forward using the two forward screw holes of the lens foot ,it gives better balance if using a tripod and also i have a D ring fitted to the last hole <nearest camera so i can carry it using my black rapid strap ,that way its always ready for a quick shot .
P.S have you done the changes via the u.s.b hub yet ???
 
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just back from my hols ,more than a few shots to go through ,heres a few for starters .the 1D3 and sigma behaved impeccably ,hand held shots all"..

Welcome back, Jeff! :) ..all super shots! ..I'm glad the 1D3 is working superbly.. just a thought for your 7D2, please try if had not tried this, to lower the image size settings from 20mp down to either: 4104 x 2736 or 3648 x 2432.. the reason I say this is because on my Nikon D3300 camera, I had to lower it from 24mp to 13mp for the image to look better for my Contemporary.. just a thought to try okay ;)

Cheers, John
 
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Welcome back, Jeff! :) ..all super shots! ..I'm glad the 1D3 is working superbly.. just a thought for your 7D2, please try if had not tried this, to lower the image size settings from 20mp down to either: 4104 x 2736 or 3648 x 2432.. the reason I say this is because on my Nikon D3300 camera, I had to lower it from 24mp to 13mp for the image to look better for my Contemporary.. just a thought to try okay ;)

Cheers, John

Never heard of dropping the size down to improve quality on a modern body. You would think the larger the better, as it then gives you the option of cropping more, which is usually the case with most bird photography. Can you fine tune the D3300 as this may need doing for the lens or can you use the dock?

I haven't bought my 600mm lens yet so keeping an eye on this thread along with the Tamron one.
 
Never heard of dropping the size down to improve quality on a modern body. You would think the larger the better, as it then gives you the option of cropping more, which is usually the case with most bird photography. Can you fine tune the D3300 as this may need doing for the lens or can you use the dock?

I haven't bought my 600mm lens yet so keeping an eye on this thread along with the Tamron one.

I'm now in the process of recalibrating my Contemporary lens. I first experienced this type of thing with my Samyang 8mm fisheye lens, while using yet another one of my cameras, a Nikon D3200 (24mp) which produced good but blurry hazy images. I then connected the Samyang to my Nikon D3100 (14mp), and the images are sharp and clear. I noticed this similar with my Contemporary before and after my initial micro adjustments, we will see what happens with my next adjustment.

Cheers, John
 
Jeff, out of interest, what settings did you use for the C1 & C2 customisation ?

I was considering:

C1 - Handheld, BIF
AF Speed: Motor Drive Speed Priority
Focus Limiter: Min focus distance 10 Metres
OS Setting: Moderate View Mode

C2 - Close Subjects (Zoo's etc)
AF Speed: Focus Accuracy Priority
Focus Limiter: Max focus distance 8 Metres
OS Setting: Dynamic View Mode​

Your thoughts ?
 
Well I've joined the club and now a proud owner! I took mine to Cosford Airshow for it's first proper outing. Initial impressions are it's a heavy beast, but I still managed to get some handheld shots I was happy with. Lighting was bad on the day but I think it coped well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it can do. Very interested in the settings as I bought the dock to experiment.

I've put some shots on the transport forum but here are a couple here to show what it could do:

18788217686_0ae33a2ae4_b.jpg


18855083226_d0031ced66_b.jpg
 
Jeff, out of interest, what settings did you use for the C1 & C2 customisation ?

I was considering:

C1 - Handheld, BIF
AF Speed: Motor Drive Speed Priority
Focus Limiter: Min focus distance 10 Metres
OS Setting: Moderate View Mode

C2 - Close Subjects (Zoo's etc)
AF Speed: Focus Accuracy Priority
Focus Limiter: Max focus distance 8 Metres
OS Setting: Dynamic View Mode​

Your thoughts ?

i use C1 for close stuff
AF focus accuracy
focus limiter min to 12mtrs
OS set to dynamic

C2 for long range
focus accuracy
limiter 12 mtrs to infinity
OS set to dynamic

i am thinking of changing C1 to full focus range as i don't need fast focus for close ups anyway and it would be handier in use
 
Welcome back, Jeff! :) ..all super shots! ..I'm glad the 1D3 is working superbly.. just a thought for your 7D2, please try if had not tried this, to lower the image size settings from 20mp down to either: 4104 x 2736 or 3648 x 2432.. the reason I say this is because on my Nikon D3300 camera, I had to lower it from 24mp to 13mp for the image to look better for my Contemporary.. just a thought to try okay ;)

Cheers, John

john the problem i,m having is with a 70d body .now given up on it its going to e/bay shortly .theres a possibility that the tighter pixel grouping and extra reach is showing up problems ,but surely not in every single shot .
lifes to short ,i will be lending a friends 1D4 at the weekend to try as i think thats the way to go

a few more shots from my hols below ,out of interest i now carry the camera/ lens with a black rapid harness ,ready for action .virtually all shots are taken hand held as well .View attachment 39863View attachment 39864View attachment 39865
 
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john the problem i,m having is with a 70d body .now given up on it its going to e/bay shortly .theres a possibility that the tighter pixel grouping and extra reach is showing up problems ,but surely not in every single shot .
lifes to short ,i will be lending a friends 1D4 at the weekend to try as i think thats the way to go

a few more shots from my hols below ,out of interest i now carry the camera/ lens with a black rapid harness ,ready for action .virtually all shots are taken hand held as well .

Jeff, amazing shots! ..understand, sounds good everything your doing :) ..cheers, John
 
a damselfly shot from yesterday , pleased with the result .the main reason i bought the sigma lens for was its close focus ability so i could use one lens for both birds and close ups of insects without having to change cameras or lenses etc .
these shots as well are taken in quiet high winds so even achieving focus was difficult taken hand held .View attachment 39976
 
Here is the £500 question:

Is the sport version worth the extra over the contemporary version?
 
Here is the £500 question:

Is the sport version worth the extra over the contemporary version?
now that ade is one that has whizzed around my head to ,a friend bought the C and has already sold it ? i love the fairly good levels of sharpness and i.q from mine ,a better camera i feel would help it to achieve more i have sat on the edge of a 7d2 for it but that would mean selling my beloved 1D3 to fund it and i,m loathe to do that ,having fallen foul by upgrading nikon gear with dire results .the answer to your question is if your after i.q and durability coupled with build quality then yes its most definetly worth the extra dosh ,everyones needs vary though
 
thanks Jeff.
 
thanks Jeff.
as i said ade a better camera might improve things ,a mate has just popped round this evening and lent me his 1Dmk4 to play with for the weekend ,one of the first shots with it as an example gull on flypast out the front of the house ,look at the eye detail ,hand held at 600mm
View attachment 40049
 
That's just unbelievable Jeff... You certainly have the lens working it's socks off. Mind you, I guess you ain't too shabby at pushing the button either :rolleyes:

I must admit, I did love the results when it was coupled to my 6D. The extra bit of depth from a FF shot made all the difference.
 
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