Lens for bird and wildlife animal photography

**Lowell Goudge** · 11-11-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Yeah I have both but use the Sigma (sans TC) for sports & such--rarely wildlife. I never carry both at the same time, though--I'm robust but there are limits ;~) Nice shots, btw!

Then there's this 1000mm

now I'm confused.

You can't carry both the SMC300F4 and Sigma APO70-200 F2.8 (plus the 2 TCs at the same time), but you are looking at the 1000mm monster?

Something is very wrong here

Nitrok · 11-11-2009, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by Eaglerapids

I'm glad to see you're leaning to the DA* 300/4. It may not have the versatility of a zoom but to me that's made up in it's close focusing abilities which may be overlooked sometimes. And it's close focusing abilities are very very good.
I have a Tamron-F 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 and it works fine on the DA* 300.
There is one thing to remember as you begin this journey. The longer the reach the rules change and everything gets very anal. It may not be bad if it takes a little while before you find a teleconverter. You mentioned 500 shots with the big zoom. There will also be a learning curve with just a 300mm. I blew more shots just yesterday, BIF shots are still very iffy for me and all this without the converter. You will have your hands full with just the 300mm in the beginning.
I hope you have a good tripod and head, if not be prepared to spend more money. There seem to be plenty of people who use these lenses handheld successfully, maybe so but I'm not one of them. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket here but just want you to be aware of what you're getting yourself into:-). When you nail a bird shot it's sweet but my "nail" rate is pretty low, lol.

Thanks for the heads-up!
And I think my tripod is good enough for this setup (Manfrotto 055XPROB + Manfrotto 488RC0 Ball Head). Though I guess it's a lot easier to use DA*300 handheld because it's 400g lighter than Sigma 100-300mm.

**dadipentak** · 11-11-2009, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

now I'm confused.

You can't carry both the SMC300F4 and Sigma APO70-200 F2.8 (plus the 2 TCs at the same time), but you are looking at the 1000mm monster?

Something is very wrong here

In fact, I have a 1000mm monster. Mostly it gets set up on my porch but I do carry it from time to time (but 25 meters from the car is pretty much the limit.) OTOH, I'm comfortable strolling about with either the 300mm or the 70-200mm--but not both simultaneously.

**dadipentak** · 11-11-2009, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by Nitrok

The TC is my only problem now. Where to get that Tamron?

Maybe here?

Nitrok · 11-12-2009, 01:50 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Maybe here?

Nice! Thanks!

jon pafford · 11-12-2009, 06:26 PM

I have a pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 and tamron 1.4 tc. I also have the sigma apo dg 170-500 f5.0-6.3. Since the sigma has a 77mm lens, it has a faster shutter speed, quick auto focus, and better image quality. sigma weights 3 pounds.

lesmore49 · 11-15-2009, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by jon pafford

I have a pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 and tamron 1.4 tc. I also have the sigma apo dg 170-500 f5.0-6.3. Since the sigma has a 77mm lens, it has a faster shutter speed, quick auto focus, and better image quality. sigma weights 3 pounds.

My 55-300 on my K10D takes very sharp pix. I wonder if the Tamron 1.4 TC is degrading the images when you couple it with the 55-300 ?

dsport · 11-28-2009, 07:39 AM - **1 Like**

I recently have some chances to take some birding pics with Sigma 170-500mm Apo DG, Sigma 150-500mm Hsm and Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter. In short, the 170-500mm and 150-500mm are very good in IQ and sharp even @ 500mm but you need to stop down at f8 and not wide open. The Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter is sharp even wide open. Some pics for reference and for sharing.

By Sigma 170-500mm

By Sigma 150-500mm

Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter

**dadipentak** · 11-28-2009, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by lesmore49

My 55-300 on my K10D takes very sharp pix. I wonder if the Tamron 1.4 TC is degrading the images when you couple it with the 55-300 ?

I have a 55-300mm and it's a very nice and handy lens but I don't think it's of sufficient quality to support a TC.

Those are very nice photos, dsport. Good lenses, to be sure--but also very well used!

dsport · 11-28-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

I have a 55-300mm and it's a very nice and handy lens but I don't think it's of sufficient quality to support a TC.

Those are very nice photos, dsport. Good lenses, to be sure--but also very well used!

Thanks.
Best regards.

8540tomg · 11-28-2009, 05:28 PM

dsport,

I'm with Dave on this one. Great job with those Sigma lenses.

Tom G

borno · 11-29-2009, 06:55 AM

Very nice birds dsport

I really like the second one.

dsport · 11-29-2009, 08:45 AM

thx

11-12-2009, 06:26 PM	#36
jon pafford Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: houston texas Photos: Albums Posts: 80	pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 with a tamron 1.4 tc and a sigma apo dg 170-500 f5.0-6.3 I have a pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 and tamron 1.4 tc. I also have the sigma apo dg 170-500 f5.0-6.3. Since the sigma has a 77mm lens, it has a faster shutter speed, quick auto focus, and better image quality. sigma weights 3 pounds.

11-28-2009, 07:39 AM - 1 Like	#38
dsport Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	I recently have some chances to take some birding pics with Sigma 170-500mm Apo DG, Sigma 150-500mm Hsm and Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter. In short, the 170-500mm and 150-500mm are very good in IQ and sharp even @ 500mm but you need to stop down at f8 and not wide open. The Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter is sharp even wide open. Some pics for reference and for sharing. By Sigma 170-500mm By Sigma 150-500mm Sigma Apo 300mm f2.8 with Sigma 1.4x teleconverter Last edited by dsport; 11-28-2009 at 07:47 AM.

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11-11-2009, 09:00 AM	#31
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by dadipentak Yeah I have both but use the Sigma (sans TC) for sports & such--rarely wildlife. I never carry both at the same time, though--I'm robust but there are limits ;~) Nice shots, btw! Then there's this 1000mm now I'm confused. You can't carry both the SMC300F4 and Sigma APO70-200 F2.8 (plus the 2 TCs at the same time), but you are looking at the 1000mm monster? Something is very wrong here

11-11-2009, 09:20 AM	#32
Nitrok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eaglerapids I'm glad to see you're leaning to the DA* 300/4. It may not have the versatility of a zoom but to me that's made up in it's close focusing abilities which may be overlooked sometimes. And it's close focusing abilities are very very good. I have a Tamron-F 1.4x Pz-AF MC4 and it works fine on the DA* 300. There is one thing to remember as you begin this journey. The longer the reach the rules change and everything gets very anal. It may not be bad if it takes a little while before you find a teleconverter. You mentioned 500 shots with the big zoom. There will also be a learning curve with just a 300mm. I blew more shots just yesterday, BIF shots are still very iffy for me and all this without the converter. You will have your hands full with just the 300mm in the beginning. I hope you have a good tripod and head, if not be prepared to spend more money. There seem to be plenty of people who use these lenses handheld successfully, maybe so but I'm not one of them. I'm not trying to be a wet blanket here but just want you to be aware of what you're getting yourself into:-). When you nail a bird shot it's sweet but my "nail" rate is pretty low, lol. Thanks for the heads-up! And I think my tripod is good enough for this setup (Manfrotto 055XPROB + Manfrotto 488RC0 Ball Head). Though I guess it's a lot easier to use DA*300 handheld because it's 400g lighter than Sigma 100-300mm.

11-11-2009, 10:28 AM	#33
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge now I'm confused. You can't carry both the SMC300F4 and Sigma APO70-200 F2.8 (plus the 2 TCs at the same time), but you are looking at the 1000mm monster? Something is very wrong here In fact, I have a 1000mm monster. Mostly it gets set up on my porch but I do carry it from time to time (but 25 meters from the car is pretty much the limit.) OTOH, I'm comfortable strolling about with either the 300mm or the 70-200mm--but not both simultaneously.

11-11-2009, 07:14 PM	#34
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Nitrok The TC is my only problem now. Where to get that Tamron? Maybe here?

11-12-2009, 01:50 AM	#35
Nitrok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,275 Original Poster	Originally posted by dadipentak Maybe here? Nice! Thanks!

11-15-2009, 03:39 PM	#37
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,350	Originally posted by jon pafford I have a pentax 55-300 f4-5.8 and tamron 1.4 tc. I also have the sigma apo dg 170-500 f5.0-6.3. Since the sigma has a 77mm lens, it has a faster shutter speed, quick auto focus, and better image quality. sigma weights 3 pounds. My 55-300 on my K10D takes very sharp pix. I wonder if the Tamron 1.4 TC is degrading the images when you couple it with the 55-300 ?

11-28-2009, 08:06 AM	#39
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by lesmore49 My 55-300 on my K10D takes very sharp pix. I wonder if the Tamron 1.4 TC is degrading the images when you couple it with the 55-300 ? I have a 55-300mm and it's a very nice and handy lens but I don't think it's of sufficient quality to support a TC. Those are very nice photos, dsport. Good lenses, to be sure--but also very well used!

11-28-2009, 08:23 AM	#40
dsport Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	Originally posted by dadipentak I have a 55-300mm and it's a very nice and handy lens but I don't think it's of sufficient quality to support a TC. Those are very nice photos, dsport. Good lenses, to be sure--but also very well used! Thanks. Best regards.

11-28-2009, 05:28 PM	#41
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	dsport, I'm with Dave on this one. Great job with those Sigma lenses. Tom G

11-29-2009, 06:55 AM	#42
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	Very nice birds dsport I really like the second one.

11-29-2009, 08:45 AM	#43
dsport Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	thx