lens advice

brad28

brad28

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bradley
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Hi,

Have been looking at the sigma 50-500mm lens for my canon 550D DSLR
I've seen that im going to have to pay around £500 for one of these.

I've seen that sigma do a 170-500mm lens also and is around £100 cheaper.

I'm going to use the lens for wildlife photography and currently use a canon 55-250mm lens which isnt giving me enough zoom.

Am I better off spending a little extra to get the 50-500mm or should I get the 170-500.

My worry is the 170-500 may be too restrictive but being an ammatuer im not really sure if it will be.

Advice please.
 
Hi Brad, I second Ken in getting the Sigma 150-500 OS. It can be got at Panamoz.com for just under £600 at the moment. I bought one from there at the start of this year and it's fantastic for wildlife and planes. It does need to be used with decent light though as it's f6.3 at 500mm but it's very useable and the stabilization is excellent. I got some decent photos at 500mm at 1/30s handheld the last time I was out.
I've also got a Canon 100-400 IS L that costs around £1,050 and the Sigma gives it a good run for the top dog stakes. The Canon takes it on IQ (just) but the Sigma has better stability and reach. And is a hell of a lot cheaper too.
 
I've got the 150-500 sigma and I use it for wildlife and use the 500 zoom more than using it at the 150 end, so I wouldn't worry to much about it being limited when you will use it for the zoom rather than things nearer to you. It's had great reviews in this months digital photo mag so if you want a impartial review it's worth a look!
 
i got the 150-500 and it's great ! thinking of getting a teleconverter next !
 
What's the 150-500 like for weight? It has IS so obviously designed so it can be handheld but was wondering how practical that really is.
 
Used mine handheld mostly but a monopod is a useful accesory, even if just to prop it up between shots. If you think that's heavy try the 120-300 f2.8, still it saves workouts at the gym :D
 
I dont have either but based on the images from a guy at the camera club the sigma 50-500 is an excellent lens. Also comparisons between the 2 on forums such as http://www.birdforum.net/forum.php favours the 50-500.
But as I have said I am going on what I have read when considering buying 1 and not from personal experience.
John.
 
The 150-500 is a heavy lens ! I've used it handheld and got a good stable shot without too much effort.
When I used it most it was rested in the hide.
But if you expect the lens to be similar in size or weight to a 55-250 you are mistaken !
 
I've used it handheld for long periods and it does start to weigh heavy by the end of the day, but after a while you get used to it. I have a Canon 100-400 L that I used to think was heavy, but it feels quite light compared. I've got a tripod that I've used on occasions and it converts to a monopod that I've not used yet. I also use a sling strap to carry it as opposed to a neck strap which I'm sure would get uncomfortable quite quickly.
 
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