Help me choose: A summary of my research for a tele lens ... all Sigma.

**pearsaab** · 03-27-2013, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by stormtech

I have tried the 150-500 before and yes, it is certainly a handful, but in a good way to me. One feature that I really like about these lenses is when you use the lens OS, it stabilizes your view in the viewfinder - really helps with the old crippled up hands.

My borrowed 50-150 also just arrived a few minutes ago - going to be tough but have to wait until next Thursday to try it out as my K-5 is on its way back from CRIS.

stan what did they say about your k5

joe.penn · 03-27-2013, 09:19 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

There will be more images very soon when I figure this glitch about loading images here though ..

Any chances of posting some BIF's taken with that setup?

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by joe.penn

Any chances of posting some BIF's taken with that setup?

Yes there will be some BIF shots soon enough ... of gulls and ravens/crows/small birds maybe after this long weekend (Easter).
I have one to post if I get the chance today: a Cooper Hawk in flight on the second day I had the lens.
Not a great shot but I will post it nevertheless.

Still having a tough time to post several pictures at once when using the "manage attachments" option in the forum.
I get a connection problem for whatever reason.

.... I'll ask Adam for help.

JP

stormtech · 03-27-2013, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by pearsaab

stan what did they say about your k5

The same as the other one - camera was back focusing - they adjusted it to "optimal resolution". It's taking forever to get back here via UPS - 6 days and counting. I'm going to send you a PM once I get it back at test it.

stormtech · 03-27-2013, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

I just clicked on "View picture EXIF" and it sent me to the main forum page !!
So weird!
I refreshed the screen and now it is behaving OK.

There will be more images very soon when I figure this glitch about loading images here though ...

Cheers for now.

The initial images look good JP. The first set being wide open(?) @500mm hand held look pretty good being that is at the lens worst. The set @f8 look good and crisp.

My K-5 is due to be delivered back from CRIS today or tomorrow - looks like the weather might be nice enough to try the 50-500 on the gimbal head on Saturday (wind chills still in the 20's here....). But first I need to test the camera to be sure if it is right now or not.

TenZ.NL · 03-27-2013, 10:18 AM

Yes, they look very decent. IQ looks about the same as my specimen. I`m curious to see your BIF`s.

audiobomber · 03-27-2013, 10:53 AM

I don't know how you can judge anything by looking at these small photos. I sent the 150-500mm back because it was sharp at 300mm, but 100% crops at 500mm were not sharp, even stopped down to f8.

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I don't know how you can judge anything by looking at these small photos. I sent the 150-500mm back because it was sharp at 300mm, but 100% crops at 500mm were not sharp, even stopped down to f8.

Not trying to judge anything based on "small" photos: just providing sample shots at different settings.
There will be more, trust me.

What would you say is a good "sample" size, image wise? Maybe I can accomodate that in a different way? Perhaps post some in Flickr at higher res.?

I personally found that the sweet spot for this particular lens is F9. The more light, the better too.
My samples seem to suffer from overcast skies as well .... but that's not an excuse, it it?

I did some 100% cropping, at home, of some shots at 500mm: the images are not sharp once cropped that much, but still look fairly good at 50-60% cropping.

What did you end up getting to replace your lens?

Cheers.

JP

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by stormtech

The initial images look good JP. The first set being wide open(?) @500mm hand held look pretty good being that is at the lens worst. The set @f8 look good and crisp.

My K-5 is due to be delivered back from CRIS today or tomorrow - looks like the weather might be nice enough to try the 50-500 on the gimbal head on Saturday (wind chills still in the 20's here....). But first I need to test the camera to be sure if it is right now or not.

The first images of this "series" are the very first I ever took with this lens.
There is a learning curve though, albeit not as bad as I first thought.

I look forward to see your shots at 500mm with the Bigma.
Hope you get your K5 soon!

JP

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by TenZ.NL

Yes, they look very decent. IQ looks about the same as my specimen. I`m curious to see your BIF`s.

I'll post that BIF (hawk) shot tonight.
I might also have a gull shot "BIF" .... I'll look into that too.

JP

audiobomber · 03-27-2013, 12:36 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

I personally found that the sweet spot for this particular lens is F9. The more light, the better too.
My samples seem to suffer from overcast skies as well .... but that's not an excuse, it it?

I did some 100% cropping, at home, of some shots at 500mm: the images are not sharp once cropped that much, but still look fairly good at 50-60% cropping.

What did you end up getting to replace your lens?

After returning the Sigma, I bought a DA*300mm. I also have a Kenko 1.5X TC. Light is very hard to come by up here in Northern Ontario. In winter and in the evening, often have to use the DA300 wide open, no TC.

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

After returning the Sigma, I bought a DA*300mm. I also have a Kenko 1.5X TC. Light is very hard to come by up here in Northern Ontario. In winter and in the evening, often have to use the DA300 wide open, no TC.

Funny that you did the opposite I did: I first bought a DA*300/4 then a 1.7X TC ....
decided later that it might be a good idea to get a 500mm lens.

The reason for this thread, at least the later part of it, is to see what difference this lens (150-500) will make when compared with the DA*300 + TC (=510mm).

If you go back to the beginning of the thread, you will see that I was at one time considering the Sigma 300/2.8 + TC.
Budget decided otherwise!

We have similar lighting conditions here too ... something often difficult to deal with.

JP

audiobomber · 03-27-2013, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

Funny that you did the opposite I did: I first bought a DA*300/4 then a 1.7X TC ....
decided later that it might be a good idea to get a 500mm lens.

Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty.

**jpzk** · 03-27-2013, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty.

Hi again, Dan.

The Pentax 1.7x adapter works quite nicely with the DA*300/4.
I've posted some pics a while back ... not sure where they are though.

Oh ... here they are: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/218748-nature-redpolls-f...ing-510mm.html

Now I am doing some shots with the Siggy 150-500 and we will see how that fares.

Cheers.

JP

stormtech · 03-27-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty.

Yeah - JP and I are kind of going through this together. We both have DA*300's and looking to get more reach while trying to keep the best IQ we can. I think if that elusive Pentax TC were available to us, we probably wouldn't be going through all these trials.

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03-27-2013, 08:58 AM	#166
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	Originally posted by stormtech I have tried the 150-500 before and yes, it is certainly a handful, but in a good way to me. One feature that I really like about these lenses is when you use the lens OS, it stabilizes your view in the viewfinder - really helps with the old crippled up hands. My borrowed 50-150 also just arrived a few minutes ago - going to be tough but have to wait until next Thursday to try it out as my K-5 is on its way back from CRIS. stan what did they say about your k5

03-27-2013, 09:19 AM	#167
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by jpzk There will be more images very soon when I figure this glitch about loading images here though .. Any chances of posting some BIF's taken with that setup?

03-27-2013, 09:24 AM	#168
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by joe.penn Any chances of posting some BIF's taken with that setup? Yes there will be some BIF shots soon enough ... of gulls and ravens/crows/small birds maybe after this long weekend (Easter). I have one to post if I get the chance today: a Cooper Hawk in flight on the second day I had the lens. Not a great shot but I will post it nevertheless. Still having a tough time to post several pictures at once when using the "manage attachments" option in the forum. I get a connection problem for whatever reason. .... I'll ask Adam for help. JP

03-27-2013, 09:36 AM	#169
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by pearsaab stan what did they say about your k5 The same as the other one - camera was back focusing - they adjusted it to "optimal resolution". It's taking forever to get back here via UPS - 6 days and counting. I'm going to send you a PM once I get it back at test it.

03-27-2013, 09:40 AM	#170
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by jpzk I just clicked on "View picture EXIF" and it sent me to the main forum page !! So weird! I refreshed the screen and now it is behaving OK. There will be more images very soon when I figure this glitch about loading images here though ... Cheers for now. The initial images look good JP. The first set being wide open(?) @500mm hand held look pretty good being that is at the lens worst. The set @f8 look good and crisp. My K-5 is due to be delivered back from CRIS today or tomorrow - looks like the weather might be nice enough to try the 50-500 on the gimbal head on Saturday (wind chills still in the 20's here....). But first I need to test the camera to be sure if it is right now or not.

03-27-2013, 10:18 AM	#171
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Yes, they look very decent. IQ looks about the same as my specimen. I`m curious to see your BIF`s.

03-27-2013, 10:53 AM	#172
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I don't know how you can judge anything by looking at these small photos. I sent the 150-500mm back because it was sharp at 300mm, but 100% crops at 500mm were not sharp, even stopped down to f8.

03-27-2013, 12:27 PM	#173
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber I don't know how you can judge anything by looking at these small photos. I sent the 150-500mm back because it was sharp at 300mm, but 100% crops at 500mm were not sharp, even stopped down to f8. Not trying to judge anything based on "small" photos: just providing sample shots at different settings. There will be more, trust me. What would you say is a good "sample" size, image wise? Maybe I can accomodate that in a different way? Perhaps post some in Flickr at higher res.? I personally found that the sweet spot for this particular lens is F9. The more light, the better too. My samples seem to suffer from overcast skies as well .... but that's not an excuse, it it? I did some 100% cropping, at home, of some shots at 500mm: the images are not sharp once cropped that much, but still look fairly good at 50-60% cropping. What did you end up getting to replace your lens? Cheers. JP

03-27-2013, 12:29 PM	#174
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by stormtech The initial images look good JP. The first set being wide open(?) @500mm hand held look pretty good being that is at the lens worst. The set @f8 look good and crisp. My K-5 is due to be delivered back from CRIS today or tomorrow - looks like the weather might be nice enough to try the 50-500 on the gimbal head on Saturday (wind chills still in the 20's here....). But first I need to test the camera to be sure if it is right now or not. The first images of this "series" are the very first I ever took with this lens. There is a learning curve though, albeit not as bad as I first thought. I look forward to see your shots at 500mm with the Bigma. Hope you get your K5 soon! JP

03-27-2013, 12:31 PM	#175
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by TenZ.NL Yes, they look very decent. IQ looks about the same as my specimen. I`m curious to see your BIF`s. I'll post that BIF (hawk) shot tonight. I might also have a gull shot "BIF" .... I'll look into that too. JP

03-27-2013, 12:36 PM	#176
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by jpzk I personally found that the sweet spot for this particular lens is F9. The more light, the better too. My samples seem to suffer from overcast skies as well .... but that's not an excuse, it it? I did some 100% cropping, at home, of some shots at 500mm: the images are not sharp once cropped that much, but still look fairly good at 50-60% cropping. What did you end up getting to replace your lens? After returning the Sigma, I bought a DA*300mm. I also have a Kenko 1.5X TC. Light is very hard to come by up here in Northern Ontario. In winter and in the evening, often have to use the DA300 wide open, no TC.

03-27-2013, 01:05 PM	#177
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber After returning the Sigma, I bought a DA300mm. I also have a Kenko 1.5X TC. Light is very hard to come by up here in Northern Ontario. In winter and in the evening, often have to use the DA300 wide open, no TC. Funny that you did the opposite I did: I first bought a DA300/4 then a 1.7X TC .... decided later that it might be a good idea to get a 500mm lens. The reason for this thread, at least the later part of it, is to see what difference this lens (150-500) will make when compared with the DA*300 + TC (=510mm). If you go back to the beginning of the thread, you will see that I was at one time considering the Sigma 300/2.8 + TC. Budget decided otherwise! We have similar lighting conditions here too ... something often difficult to deal with. JP

03-27-2013, 01:51 PM	#178
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by jpzk Funny that you did the opposite I did: I first bought a DA*300/4 then a 1.7X TC .... decided later that it might be a good idea to get a 500mm lens. Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty.

03-27-2013, 03:37 PM	#179
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty. Hi again, Dan. The Pentax 1.7x adapter works quite nicely with the DA*300/4. I've posted some pics a while back ... not sure where they are though. Oh ... here they are: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/218748-nature-redpolls-f...ing-510mm.html Now I am doing some shots with the Siggy 150-500 and we will see how that fares. Cheers. JP

03-27-2013, 04:43 PM	#180
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by audiobomber Nice to have both. I'll be interested in seeing the comparison. I'm so anxious for the Pentax TC, it's making me ill. The Kenko AF is very spotty. Yeah - JP and I are kind of going through this together. We both have DA*300's and looking to get more reach while trying to keep the best IQ we can. I think if that elusive Pentax TC were available to us, we probably wouldn't be going through all these trials.