Originally posted by SCGushue Marc,
Thanks Marc.
Yes, it is nice to get the good stuff once in a while
You know, I have toyed with the idea of the Sigma 500mm 4.5 EX DG or the 800mm EX DG myself. I don't recall seeing anyhting posted by you shot with the 500... but I would be interested to know your thoughsand see some examples.
I have had exceptional good fortune with the 3 Sigma EX DG's that I use and feel that they could easily get a * rating if they were Pentax A's.
Let me know.
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
The Sigma 500/4.5 is stunningly sharp, even more so for it's price, but the lack of IS/VR/OS in the lens or the body makes high shutter speeds a must. One word of caution - lens flare is NOT well controlled. I didn't get the right hood for it, and I cannot even point it near or towards the sun - ever. The FA* 300/2.8 flare control on the other hand.... it's even better with the FA* CPL filter!!!! Wow...
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about using the Canon 40D with the Sigma 500/4.5. The 5FPS is wonderful, but it's truly a hit and miss thing for OOF birding shots. It's not the optimal camera for that kind of photography.
I may post some photos, but the best ones are under consideration for my competition portfolio. Therefore I will probably not post any of those until the competition is finished, since I don't wish to have them online anywhere.... sorry
... However, I did get second place with an image from the 500/4.5 in the Nature category in the regional competition! It's of a Great White Egret about to finish off a tadpole with legs - it's midair between it's bill. It's been printed at 20x30 and dry mounted, and is on display this weekend in Eureka Springs at the Mid-America Photographic Symposium. I am teaching a landscape class outdoors tomorrow. Details at
Mid-America Photography Symposium
It's a great lens when the right body is used with it. I'd buy it the right combination existed, but I'm poor now. I won't be buying anything anytime soon, unless they deem my images worthy and give me some nice placings and a few thousand dollars of that prize list!
Cheers,
Marc
Last edited by Marc Langille; 05-17-2008 at 05:26 PM.