Lens Help - Wildlife TOG's Please Help

[djaphoto]

Hello all,

As per the title, I'm after a bit of advice so I can begin the fun of saving ready for buying.

I bought a Sigma 70-200mm just after Christmas and have had splending fun with it at my local forest getting all kinds of birds, very very fun and great results.

Of course, I am limited with the 200mm, and I've only been lucky that you can get quite close to the birds where I live, so some crops have meant I've still had decent images from 5 feet away.

Now, my question is this...which lens can you recommend me to give me more reach to get improved shots?

I've seen the Sigma 50-500mm pop up a few times, aswell as the 150-500 and 170-500mm Sigma's. Can anyone confirm which would be best, the 50-500mm?

Also, would it be worth considering a TC for the 70-200mm? Or will the performance suffer too much? I'm assuming the 2x convertor would make images suffer alot at the top end due to the aperture?

Any info would be great please as I've really really enjoyed myself in the Nature & Wildlife sector, and I'd like to improve even more.

 

[Joe T]

First stop would be a 1.4x TC.

After that you're into the 50-500 superzooms. However, the IQ wont be up to the 70-200 (even with TC).

Next up is the Sigma 120-300 2.8 with 1.4x TC.

 

[djaphoto]

Cheers Joe,

So the 1.4x TC would give me 280mm, correct?

Reckon that would be a good choice and cheaper too than a superzoom. What would me aperture work out at then?

 

[Joe T]

Correct, it would give you 280mm f/4. Still not massively long, but noticeably more than 200mm.

 

[djaphoto]

Not bad!

I've heard the 2.0x TC isn't too hot, will give me soft images?

 

[Joe T]

Not bad!

I've heard the 2.0x TC isn't too hot, will give me soft images?

Yeah, I wouldnt bother.

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

I'm using a Sigma 150-500mm and i am very impressed with it.

 

[djaphoto]

Thanks Joe

Paul, thanks for the info. How are you finding the speed of the lens for your Photography? I will be looking to consider this lens for bird photography, but was just wondering what the AF speed is like?

 

[Dogfish_magnet]

Thanks Joe

Paul, thanks for the info. How are you finding the speed of the lens for your Photography? I will be looking to consider this lens for bird photography, but was just wondering what the AF speed is like?

I've been using the lens for birds without any issues with a 5D MK2 - AF speed appears to be comparable with the 100-400mm and the OS is noisy but very effective.

 

[markyboy.1967]

Why dont you consider the Nikon 300 f4 with a 1.4tc either AF or AFS versions depending on budget. I use the Sigma 120-300 with a 1.4tc and love it as well but its more expensive.

 

[artyman]

The best bang for buck has to be the Sigma 150-500 reach, IQ and a resonable cost, it also takes TC's well this was shot with a 2X at ISO3200