Originally posted by Reptilezz Im wondering what lens would be better for birding between the DA*300 and sigma 150-500? Also wondering what the IQ would be like on the 300 with the 1.7x tc on. I really dont like the aperture of f6.3 on the sigma but i could live with it. I do quite a bit of rainforest shooting so I like the lighter DA*300 for that and also the fact that its completely weather sealed. I like the 150-500 for the reach. I think im leaning towards the 300 but im really not sure becuase most people say that 300mm isnt enough for birding.
I use the DA* 300mm f/4 and the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 APO EX DG. I have a 1.4x teleconverter for the Sigma which gives autofocus. (But it won't give autofocus on the 300mm). So I have 300mm, 500mm, and 700mm.
I've used the 300mm most, because: it is All Weather, and I've shot birds in flight in stormy weather; and because I can hand-hold it for long periods, which I can't (yet) for the 500mm.
I've sometimes shot large birds in flight (Gannets, Red Kites) with the 300mm so close I failed to get them all in the frame! It is impossible to generalise about the reach needed for birding, but I think mostly I will need my 500mm, with or without a 1.4x teleconverter.
For interest, I am trying to see if I can make my Sigma 500mm weather resistant. (At least for light showers).
This is obviously high risk - if I get it wrong, I'll lose the lens! I'm trying insulating tape around various gaps. By sacrificing manual focusing, I can seal both ends of the focusing ring. By sacrificing use of the polarising filter, I think I can seal the drop-in filter assembly. Since I don't need the aperture ring, I'm not sacrificing anything by using insulating tape on that. That leaves the lens-body join - I'm pondering that, but may be able to seal that with a rubber band.
(I have a "proper" cover for the Sigma which I've used in the rain, but found it very inconvenient).