Has anyone used the new Sigma 100-400mm?

snerkler

snerkler

Messages
23,613
Name
Toby
Edit My Images
No
I'm considering hiring the Nikon 80-400mm or the new Sigma to go on my D750 for the F1 at Silverstone next week as a lighter alternative to my Tamron 150-600mm as I think it'll be easier to manage and I think 400mm should be enough. I will also be putting my 70-200mm f2.8 on my mate's D7200 so any weight saving would be nice.

Obviously the Sigma is considerably lighter and my favoured option if the IQ and AF are up to it, does anyone have any experience with it? Would I still be able to 'blur' out the fencing I'm shooting through as DOF won't be as shallow as at 600mm? I'll probably be shooting at f8 as will be doing slow shutter panning.

Any help appreciated.
 
I was at Silverstone last year with the older model Sigma 100-400 (The non-sport version)

With the right angle on the fencing it blurred out just fine, so I'd say you'll probably be OK.
 
leezer3 said:
I was at Silverstone last year with the older model Sigma 100-400 (The non-sport version)

With the right angle on the fencing it blurred out just fine, so I'd say you'll probably be OK.
Click to expand...
Thanks. What's the old model like?
 
why not hire the nikon 80-400mm very good reviews and fast focus
 
Felt very reasonable to me.

A little front-heavy, but that's the nature of the beast. No way I'd try it handheld without a chunky camera & / or battery grip on the back, but YMMV may vary there.
Raceday wise, I found my tripod very useful for keeping a small area free to swing it :p

My volume of keepers was a lot lower than usual (~5%), but I think that's mainly because it was my first real time trying to shoot motorsport. Raceday I ended up locking on MF, but some of that was because I couldn't swing a cat (On top of the stand bank near the pit entrance / final corner) & it was impossible to shoot the other way :)
 
holty said:
why not hire the nikon 80-400mm very good reviews and fast focus
Click to expand...
As I said it's an option, but only 300g lighter than my Tamron and the Sigma is another 500g lighter than the Nikon. Just seen the Sigma hasn't got a tripod collar though, and whilst I'm not a fan of using the monopod I probably will have to as the lens will get heavy after 3 days ;)

leezer3 said:
Felt very reasonable to me.

A little front-heavy, but that's the nature of the beast. No way I'd try it handheld without a chunky camera & / or battery grip on the back, but YMMV may vary there.
Raceday wise, I found my tripod very useful for keeping a small area free to swing it :p

My volume of keepers was a lot lower than usual (~5%), but I think that's mainly because it was my first real time trying to shoot motorsport. Raceday I ended up locking on MF, but some of that was because I couldn't swing a cat (On top of the stand bank near the pit entrance / final corner) & it was impossible to shoot the other way :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, appreciate it. Tbh I handhold my 70-200mm f2.8 and 150-600mm most of the time so handholding a 1.1kg lens won't be an issue.
 
I had a very brief play with the new sigma 100-400 and you can really feel the weight difference next to the 150-600.I only had it for under 5mins in a store but it seemed lovely - and actually the difference between 400 and 600 was much smaller than I'd imagined. I say give it a go! The only thing for you to be aware of is that it zooms in the canon direction, so if you're used to Nikon (and Tamron) this might be a bit of an adjustment at first
 
celnav said:
I had a very brief play with the new sigma 100-400 and you can really feel the weight difference next to the 150-600.I only had it for under 5mins in a store but it seemed lovely - and actually the difference between 400 and 600 was much smaller than I'd imagined. I say give it a go! The only thing for you to be aware of is that it zooms in the canon direction, so if you're used to Nikon (and Tamron) this might be a bit of an adjustment at first
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I use Olympus too so the zoom direction won't be anything new ;)
 
snerkler said:
Thanks for the info. I use Olympus too so the zoom direction won't be anything new ;)
Click to expand...
My pleasure - I've started watching prices for it 'cos I enjoyed the brief play I had so much, especially in comparison to the new canon 100-400mkii and after a few years of schlepping the 150-600 everywhere, my shoulders can do with a break!
 
Just been out with mine on the D500 for the first time today some images in the what birds have you seen today thread,i screwed up though because of hearing the focus could be slow i put the D500 on its fastest refocus setting and the lens on focus speed priority,I created a focus jitter situation at first i thought i had front and rear focus issues looking at the results.

I would say the focus could be considered slow but i have no choice i cant handle the 150-600s any more,if the weather is fine tomorrow ime going to try some BIF at my new settings,only had chance to check it on close stationery subjects since the changes.

400MM wide open at its cosest focus distance.

DSC_1037.jpg
 
michael23 said:
Have you seen the review by Dustin Abbot?

View: https://youtu.be/41PvCOZgpC4



View: https://youtu.be/OWWT1e5rRkg
Click to expand...
Thanks will watch that later

mikew said:
Just been out with mine on the D500 for the first time today some images in the what birds have you seen today thread,i screwed up though because of hearing the focus could be slow i put the D500 on its fastest refocus setting and the lens on focus speed priority,I created a focus jitter situation at first i thought i had front and rear focus issues looking at the results.

I would say the focus could be considered slow but i have no choice i cant handle the 150-600s any more,if the weather is fine tomorrow ime going to try some BIF at my new settings,only had chance to check it on close stationery subjects since the changes.

400MM wide open at its cosest focus distance.

View attachment 105518
Click to expand...
Thanks, would be interested to hear how you get on with BIF. If it can do this then F1 cars will be a doddle ;)
 
I've had the new Sigma 100-400 C for a little while and used it for a variety of things and I love it. The quality and focus might not be quite up to some of my other lenses (such as the 300mm PF) but TBH it really isn't far off either, which is amazing considering the price.

501_2113 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_5127-2 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_5552-2 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

500_0057 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_4240 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_9594 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

This was shot through fencing a foot or so away from the front of the lens:
501_8228 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
Toggerman said:
I've had one for a little while and used it for a variety of things and I love it. The quality and focus might not be quite up to some of my other lenses (such as the 300mm PF) but TBH it really isn't far off either, which is amazing considering the price.

501_2113 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_5127-2 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_5552-2 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

500_0057 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_4240 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

501_9594 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr

This was shot through fencing a foot or so away from the front of the lens:
501_8228 by Scott Boulton, on Flickr
Click to expand...
Thanks for this, nice pics (y)
 
Toby,I've been doing MGP @ SS for the last five years ..

Last year I tried the sig sport and did t get on with it . To heavy.

In the past I've used my faithfulln70-300 and cropped hard.

This year I'm thinking of renting the 300 pf and 1.4 .....
 
snerkler said:
I'm considering hiring ... for the F1 at Silverstone next week ...
Click to expand...
I'd be grateful if you could let me know whether any of the hire companies have any decent numbers of telephoto zooms left for that weekend. For us, the F1 is the second biggest event in the whole year, beaten only by RIAT - and this year they're on the same weekend. So we'll be very very busy. As of right now, the only Nikon-fit telephotos (300mm or more) that we have left for that weekend are:
  • one Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
  • one Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4 G IF-ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G ED VR II
  • two Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 E PF ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 E FL ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4 E FL ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 800mm f/5.6 E FL ED VR
  • one Sigma APO 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM
[*] Teleconverters available if you want to go >400mm.

No Nikon 70-300mm, 80-400mm or 200-500mm zooms; no Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm zooms.
 
StewartR said:
I'd be grateful if you could let me know whether any of the hire companies have any decent numbers of telephoto zooms left for that weekend. For us, the F1 is the second biggest event in the whole year, beaten only by RIAT - and this year they're on the same weekend. So we'll be very very busy. As of right now, the only Nikon-fit telephotos (300mm or more) that we have left for that weekend are:
  • one Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports
  • one Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4 G IF-ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G ED VR II
  • two Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G IF-ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 300mm f/4 E PF ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 E FL ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 500mm f/4 E FL ED VR
  • one Nikon AF-S 800mm f/5.6 E FL ED VR
  • one Sigma APO 300-800mm f/5.6 EX DG HSM
[*] Teleconverters available if you want to go >400mm.

No Nikon 70-300mm, 80-400mm or 200-500mm zooms; no Sigma or Tamron 150-600mm zooms.
Click to expand...
Yours was showing the 80-400mm available last I looked, but obviously not now :( I've probably left it too late as usual ;)

Edit: Just got the Sigma 100-400mm from Hireacamera.
 
Last edited:
I appreciate it is a different lens, although from the same series, but as much as I enjoy my Sigma 150-600c I do not find it great for small and medium sized BIF as the autofocus is too slow. However, I have used it at Silverstone at a minor event and even with my limited ability I got some good panning shots. Hopefully it should be fine for your visit.

Out of interest will you have to take all your shots from a grandstand or will you be able to roam?
 
Last edited:
Archie747 said:
I appreciate it is a different lens, although from the same series, but as much as I enjoy my Sigma 150-600c I do not find it great for small and medium sized BIF as the autofocus is too slow. However, I have used it at Silverstone at a minor event and even with my limited ability I got some good panning shots. Hopefully it should be fine for your visit.

Out of interest will you have to take all your shots from a grandstand of will you be able to roam?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, my Tamron 150-600mm is similar to your Sigma in terms of AF for BIF.

At Silverstone you're free to roam on Friday and Saturday, which I plan on doing as I would like to be at ground level. On Sunday I have a designated seat (Club Corner), although I guess I could still roam around the general admission areas if I wanted to.
 
Well warts an all as they say,i had no decent light untill the end and i need to get back into this DSLR after a year on mirrorless,iguess it is slow by expensive lens standards but i feel i will get the hang of it.

DSC_1214.jpg

DSC_1077.jpg

DSC_1076.jpg

DSC_1074.jpg

DSC_1051.jpg
 
Thanks for this. So it can do BIF then, so it'll be more than capable of F1. What was the keeper rate?
 
High on the larger birds,low on the Swallows ect, but that could be me :D i think i may set it on its faster focusing mode on C2.

Ime not sure the outer focus points on the D500 like f6.3,they do work but think they would prefer f5.6 or wider, with center point i dont think you should have many problems especially on the D750.
 
mikew said:
High on the larger birds,low on the Swallows ect, but that could be me :D i think i may set it on its faster focusing mode on C2.

Ime not sure the outer focus points on the D500 like f6.3,they do work but think they would prefer f5.6 or wider, with center point i dont think you should have many problems especially on the D750.
Click to expand...
Thanks. TBH I had trouble using the outer points on the D500 when using my Tamron 150-600mm, well they didn't work.
 
snerkler said:
Yours was showing the 80-400mm available last I looked, but obviously not now :( I've probably left it too late as usual ;)

Edit: Just got the Sigma 100-400mm from Hireacamera.
Click to expand...
Did you get a chance to try the Sigma 100-400 out at the weekend? I'd be interested to know your feelings about it if you did.
 
wardy07 said:
Did you get a chance to try the Sigma 100-400 out at the weekend? I'd be interested to know your feelings about it if you did.
Click to expand...
It's not until this coming weekend ;)
 
So the Sigma 100-400mm arrived today and I have to say my initial impressions are that I'm a bit 'meh' about it. It's bigger than I thought, about the same size as my 70-200mm f2.8 but slightly fatter, although slightly lighter of course. Build quality feels pretty good, not amazing but very good. At 400mm wide open sharpness isn't as good as I was hoping, it's not as sharp as my Tamron 150-600mm at 600mm. I think my Nikon 70-300mm VR was better too, but it's a while since I've had that so maybe I'm more picky now ;) It does get noticeably better stopped down to f8. It's still good though. The OS is rubbish, to the point I wasn't convinced it was working at first. I tried all the various settings and found OS 1 the best, and you can just about see it making things move less in the viewfinder. It only gives me 1 stop benefit though. I can get sharp shots at 400mm and 1/400 with it off, but can only get 1/200 with it on. I might get the odd one at 1/125 but not many. I can use slower speeds at 600mm on my Tamron 150-600mm.

So yeah, overall I'm slightly underwhelmed tbh. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was expecting it to be as sharp as my Tamron 150-600mm. It's still good, just not as good as I was hoping. Also, the OS is disappointing to say the least, by far the worst of any sigma (or any other lens) I've used. I've checked for front/back focussing but don't know whether sharpness and/or OS can be improved with the dock, but I don't have one. Maybe with a bit more use I can get better results and I'll have egg on my face (quite likely ;))

I'm sure the extra reach will come in handy at Silverstone and the sharpness won't matter too much as my panning skills will have far more effect, but it's not a lens I'll be buying.

Edit: up to about 320mm it's very sharp :)
 
Last edited:
Test shot. As you can see, nothing wrong with the sharpness at 220mm


DSC_5604-Edit by TDG-77, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
snerkler said:
Test shot. As you can see, nothing wrong with the sharpness at 220mm


DSC_5604-Edit by TDG-77, on Flickr
Click to expand...
That's a great shot.
I think your evaluation has decided for me that I'll stick with the 150-600 as my main use would be at 400mm and with the OS being iffy as well, it's not going to be a great addition.
The final video by Dustin Abbot suggested that the OS wasn't great especially when an object is moving towards the lens, it really struggled to keep up with the motion., in fact it didn't!
It's a shame but despite his initial opinion on IQ comparing it with the Canon equivalent, it does suggest to me that maybe the first euphoric review was a little premature.
Maybe it will prove to be better in time, maybe the dock will help with certain conditions and maybe there are variations model to model as with some other lenses, but I don't think it's for me at the moment.
 
snerkler said:
So yeah, overall I'm slightly underwhelmed tbh. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was expecting it to be as sharp as my Tamron 150-600mm. It's still good, just not as good as I was hoping. Also, the OS is disappointing to say the least, by far the worst of any sigma (or any other lens) I've used. I've checked for front/back focussing but don't know whether sharpness and/or OS can be improved with the dock, but I don't have one. Maybe with a bit more use I can get better results and I'll have egg on my face (quite likely ;))
Click to expand...

The OS is poor in standard form, the dock is essential to change it to dynamic mode where it's much better (sorry, forgot about that in my earlier post).
 
wardy07 said:
That's a great shot.
I think your evaluation has decided for me that I'll stick with the 150-600 as my main use would be at 400mm and with the OS being iffy as well, it's not going to be a great addition.
The final video by Dustin Abbot suggested that the OS wasn't great especially when an object is moving towards the lens, it really struggled to keep up with the motion., in fact it didn't!
It's a shame but despite his initial opinion on IQ comparing it with the Canon equivalent, it does suggest to me that maybe the first euphoric review was a little premature.
Maybe it will prove to be better in time, maybe the dock will help with certain conditions and maybe there are variations model to model as with some other lenses, but I don't think it's for me at the moment.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Obviously I'll give it a proper workout this weekend, but the OS does concern me as I like to pan at 1/50 or even slower and I don't think this will be possible with this lens tbh, at least not handheld.
 
Toggerman said:
The OS is poor in standard form, the dock is essential to change it to dynamic mode where it's much better (sorry, forgot about that in my earlier post).
Click to expand...
Not great that you need the dock to make the OS better, it should be at it's best out of the box imo, at least for static shooting. The lens didn't come with a manual, would you mind explaining the difference between OS 1 and 2, as well as custom 1 and 2 please? I assume if you select a custom setting it overrides OS 1 and 2?
 
snerkler said:
Thanks. Obviously I'll give it a proper workout this weekend, but the OS does concern me as I like to pan at 1/50 or even slower and I don't think this will be possible with this lens tbh, at least not handheld.
Click to expand...
In which case, given there is no tripod collar and the whole purpose of this was to be handheld, it's a no from me!
 
snerkler said:
Not great that you need the dock to make the OS better, it should be at it's best out of the box imo, at least for static shooting. The lens didn't come with a manual, would you mind explaining the difference between OS 1 and 2, as well as custom 1 and 2 please? I assume if you select a custom setting it overrides OS 1 and 2?
Click to expand...

Isn't the manual here? https://www.sigma-global.com/en/download/lenses/brochures-manuals/

http://www2nd.sigma-photo.co.jp/downloads/manual/100_400mm_F5_63_DG_OS_HSM_C017.pdf
 
Last edited:
Well ime glad i got mine before you got yours,it was the only option to fit my needs and i may have been put off,i consider it does well for me in my situation

A couple at 400mm

DSC_0913.jpg

DSC_1322.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top