Well at 5.33am, Tue the 21st of July 2009 I did it!

wll · 07-21-2009, 06:04 AM

I looked around at all the telephotos out there with range, from the cheapo units to the huge biggies. Looked at all the post from the last few years on two forums and I did it.

I bought a Sigma Bigma and a Sigma 1.4x tele extender.

I usually stick with the Pentax brand, but I have seen some very good images with this lens, I hope it works out.

I main reason I bought it is my new machinist is also a huge volunteer (and he is huge, 6.2'-375lbs and his name is TON) for 2 wild animal rescues and he is always moving, feeding the tigers, black panthers, etc, etc.

He says that I can get fairly close to them but a few are a little lively and there are barrier fences, but shots can be taken.

I'm after some tight head shots on these guys, so I need some bigger magnification than the 300's I have (although I will take them).

They have quite a few cobras, black mambas and crate snakes also that I may be able to shoot (won't need the Bigma for those).

I'm looking forward to this little adventure, it could be pretty cool.

wll

**NaClH2O** · 07-21-2009, 06:50 AM

Good luck on your new 'family menber' wll. And good luck with the animal rescue shots. Onliest thing I can say is practice on your arm curls, from what I've seen of the bigma, you're going to need them! I am looking forward to seeing some shots with that brute.

NaCl(bigma needs big muscles)H2O

jstevewhite · 07-21-2009, 07:29 AM

ROFL! I did the same thing (exactly!) just before bed in the wee hours of the morning. We'll have to compare notes after a week or so with the new toys, eh?

tlwyse · 07-21-2009, 08:12 AM

Stupid question....what is the "Bigma"? I know it's a Sigma super-tele zoom of some sort but I've never pinned down exactly what lens model this is.

Regards,
Terry

wll · 07-21-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by tlwyse

Stupid question....what is the "Bigma"? I know it's a Sigma super-tele zoom of some sort but I've never pinned down exactly what lens model this is.

Regards,
Terry

It is the 50-500mm f4-6.3 zoom telephoto lens. It is heavy, hence its name "Bigma"

wll

xjjohnno · 07-21-2009, 02:27 PM

I'm also joining the Bigma crew, just ordered mine and should see it next day or so.

Mike.P® · 07-21-2009, 03:24 PM

Excellent choice, wouldn't be without mine.

wll · 07-21-2009, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

Excellent choice, wouldn't be without mine.

Mike,

How do you like the Sigma compared to the Pentax 60-250mm. I now they are not in the same class, but what are your feelings.

How do you like the sharpness of the Sigma .. is it fair, good or very good ? Do you have any pictures you can share ?

wll

xjjohnno · 07-21-2009, 11:20 PM

Mine was delivered this morning woohoo.

Andi Lo · 07-22-2009, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by wll

It is the 50-500mm f4-6.3 zoom telephoto lens. It is heavy, hence its name "Bigma"

wll

Thanks for the calrification on the weight. I always wondered why it's a "bigma" because the 70-200 is actually bigger and 50-150 is just as big.

Mike.P® · 07-23-2009, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by wll

Mike,

How do you like the Sigma compared to the Pentax 60-250mm. I now they are not in the same class, but what are your feelings.

How do you like the sharpness of the Sigma .. is it fair, good or very good ? Do you have any pictures you can share ?

wll

I take the Bigma almost everywhere unless I am going to need the speed of the DA* 60-250mm. I think its a superb lens, not as good as the Pentax but not that far off IQ wise ... and with the inbody SR of Pentax handholding is not a problem even at speeds of 1/125.

These were all taken in the last few days ... 500mm, wide open at 1/125 and hand held.

A few others.

Ben_Edict · 07-23-2009, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

Thanks for the calrification on the weight. I always wondered why it's a "bigma" because the 70-200 is actually bigger and 50-150 is just as big.

I have the 70-200/2.8 (old non-Macro, non-SDM) and the Bigma right in front of me and Bigma is longer (about 2 inches, even in its shortest 50mm position) and much wider (86mm filter thread compared to the 70-200's 77mm) - not to speak of the much heftier tripod collar and the overall weight. How comes your impression, that the 70-200 would be bigger?

Ben

Ben_Edict · 07-23-2009, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

I take the Bigma almost everywhere unless I am going to need the speed of the DA* 60-250mm. I think its a superb lens, not as good as the Pentax but not that far off IQ wise ... and with the inbody SR of Pentax handholding is not a problem even at speeds of 1/125.

These were all taken in the last few days ... 500mm, wide open at 1/125 and hand held.

Mike, I envy your steadiness. I needed months of using the Bigma, to get sharp handheld shots at around 1/250s and shorter - and even that is hit and miss. I get reliably sharp shots only, when I employ at least a monopod. I don't doubt your experience and your beautiful images speak for themselves - but in my own experience one needs to invest some time and practicing and some patience to get the best results out of this lens (as with all really long lenses).

So, folks, if your results are not immediately as good as Mike's (and mine weren't), don't give up!

Ben

Andi Lo · 07-23-2009, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

I have the 70-200/2.8 (old non-Macro, non-SDM) and the Bigma right in front of me and Bigma is longer (about 2 inches, even in its shortest 50mm position) and much wider (86mm filter thread compared to the 70-200's 77mm) - not to speak of the much heftier tripod collar and the overall weight. How comes your impression, that the 70-200 would be bigger?

Ben

I have mostly been comparing online shots, so I might have been mistaken in my research

I don't think I'm in the market for the Bigma myself, though

wll · 07-24-2009, 10:01 PM

I have not have a chance to use it yet, I will shoot some backyard stuff and post it in a day or so.

wll

07-21-2009, 06:04 AM	#1
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773	Well at 5.33am, Tue the 21st of July 2009 I did it! I looked around at all the telephotos out there with range, from the cheapo units to the huge biggies. Looked at all the post from the last few years on two forums and I did it. I bought a Sigma Bigma and a Sigma 1.4x tele extender. I usually stick with the Pentax brand, but I have seen some very good images with this lens, I hope it works out. I main reason I bought it is my new machinist is also a huge volunteer (and he is huge, 6.2'-375lbs and his name is TON) for 2 wild animal rescues and he is always moving, feeding the tigers, black panthers, etc, etc. He says that I can get fairly close to them but a few are a little lively and there are barrier fences, but shots can be taken. I'm after some tight head shots on these guys, so I need some bigger magnification than the 300's I have (although I will take them). They have quite a few cobras, black mambas and crate snakes also that I may be able to shoot (won't need the Bigma for those). I'm looking forward to this little adventure, it could be pretty cool. wll

07-24-2009, 10:01 PM	#15
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773 Original Poster	Bigma Arrived Tue ;-) I have not have a chance to use it yet, I will shoot some backyard stuff and post it in a day or so. wll

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07-21-2009, 06:50 AM	#2
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Good luck on your new 'family menber' wll. And good luck with the animal rescue shots. Onliest thing I can say is practice on your arm curls, from what I've seen of the bigma, you're going to need them! I am looking forward to seeing some shots with that brute. NaCl(bigma needs big muscles)H2O

07-21-2009, 07:29 AM	#3
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	ROFL! I did the same thing (exactly!) just before bed in the wee hours of the morning. We'll have to compare notes after a week or so with the new toys, eh?

07-21-2009, 08:12 AM	#4
tlwyse Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Waxhaw, NC, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 211	Stupid question....what is the "Bigma"? I know it's a Sigma super-tele zoom of some sort but I've never pinned down exactly what lens model this is. Regards, Terry

07-21-2009, 10:44 AM	#5
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773 Original Poster	Originally posted by tlwyse Stupid question....what is the "Bigma"? I know it's a Sigma super-tele zoom of some sort but I've never pinned down exactly what lens model this is. Regards, Terry It is the 50-500mm f4-6.3 zoom telephoto lens. It is heavy, hence its name "Bigma" wll

07-21-2009, 02:27 PM	#6
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	I'm also joining the Bigma crew, just ordered mine and should see it next day or so.

07-21-2009, 03:24 PM	#7
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Excellent choice, wouldn't be without mine.

07-21-2009, 08:51 PM	#8
wll Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 773 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mike.P® Excellent choice, wouldn't be without mine. Mike, How do you like the Sigma compared to the Pentax 60-250mm. I now they are not in the same class, but what are your feelings. How do you like the sharpness of the Sigma .. is it fair, good or very good ? Do you have any pictures you can share ? wll

07-21-2009, 11:20 PM	#9
xjjohnno Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,115	Mine was delivered this morning woohoo.

07-22-2009, 05:06 AM	#10
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by wll It is the 50-500mm f4-6.3 zoom telephoto lens. It is heavy, hence its name "Bigma" wll Thanks for the calrification on the weight. I always wondered why it's a "bigma" because the 70-200 is actually bigger and 50-150 is just as big.

07-23-2009, 11:44 AM	#11
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by wll Mike, How do you like the Sigma compared to the Pentax 60-250mm. I now they are not in the same class, but what are your feelings. How do you like the sharpness of the Sigma .. is it fair, good or very good ? Do you have any pictures you can share ? wll I take the Bigma almost everywhere unless I am going to need the speed of the DA* 60-250mm. I think its a superb lens, not as good as the Pentax but not that far off IQ wise ... and with the inbody SR of Pentax handholding is not a problem even at speeds of 1/125. These were all taken in the last few days ... 500mm, wide open at 1/125 and hand held. A few others.

07-23-2009, 02:02 PM	#12
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Andi Lo Thanks for the calrification on the weight. I always wondered why it's a "bigma" because the 70-200 is actually bigger and 50-150 is just as big. I have the 70-200/2.8 (old non-Macro, non-SDM) and the Bigma right in front of me and Bigma is longer (about 2 inches, even in its shortest 50mm position) and much wider (86mm filter thread compared to the 70-200's 77mm) - not to speak of the much heftier tripod collar and the overall weight. How comes your impression, that the 70-200 would be bigger? Ben

07-23-2009, 02:06 PM	#13
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Mike.P® I take the Bigma almost everywhere unless I am going to need the speed of the DA* 60-250mm. I think its a superb lens, not as good as the Pentax but not that far off IQ wise ... and with the inbody SR of Pentax handholding is not a problem even at speeds of 1/125. These were all taken in the last few days ... 500mm, wide open at 1/125 and hand held. Mike, I envy your steadiness. I needed months of using the Bigma, to get sharp handheld shots at around 1/250s and shorter - and even that is hit and miss. I get reliably sharp shots only, when I employ at least a monopod. I don't doubt your experience and your beautiful images speak for themselves - but in my own experience one needs to invest some time and practicing and some patience to get the best results out of this lens (as with all really long lenses). So, folks, if your results are not immediately as good as Mike's (and mine weren't), don't give up! Ben

07-23-2009, 02:53 PM	#14
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by Ben_Edict I have the 70-200/2.8 (old non-Macro, non-SDM) and the Bigma right in front of me and Bigma is longer (about 2 inches, even in its shortest 50mm position) and much wider (86mm filter thread compared to the 70-200's 77mm) - not to speak of the much heftier tripod collar and the overall weight. How comes your impression, that the 70-200 would be bigger? Ben I have mostly been comparing online shots, so I might have been mistaken in my research I don't think I'm in the market for the Bigma myself, though