sigma 150-500 IS - camera or lens

shaymus · 05-04-2012, 12:45 PM

I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts?

Adam · 05-04-2012, 12:57 PM

Usually you want to just stick to in-camera stabilization. There are a few threads listing the pros and cons on the forum if you want to do a search or check the similar threads below.

audiobomber · 05-04-2012, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by shaymus

I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts?

I had a 150-500 OS for a couple of weeks. I found the lens stabilization gave me more keepers than SR. The problem with switching back and forth is to remember to activate at least one, and never both.

SpecialK · 05-04-2012, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by shaymus

I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts?

You should test it yourself. Try it both ways and see

I use the body SR because:

I like to check my technique. If the viewfinder is not wobbling I can't tell if I am.

I won't forget to turn SR on for other lenses.

Can damage the lens if unmounted while lens IS is on (so says Sigma)

Least of all, exif will show SR disabled if lens IS is used.

panoguy · 05-04-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Usually you want to just stick to in-camera stabilization.

Not great advice for the Sigma 150-500mm. For longer focal lengths (300+), the Sigma in-lens OS is demonstrably better than Pentax's in-body SR. I've been using this lens for 7 months, and while I almost always use the in-lens OS, I'll switch to SR when the battery is getting low (Sigma OS uses the lens-focus "SDM contacts" for power, which can drain your battery). Having used both methods side-by-side like this quite a bit, the OS shots are almost always a bit sharper. Naturally, that might also be because it's a lot easier to check focus and composition at 500mm when your viewfinder isn't jittering all over the place!

That said, for the sharpest shots at 500mm, you should really turn both off and be using a tripod or monopod. But if you don't have one handy, Heie also has some good tips for handholding (regardless of OS/SR)!

05-04-2012, 12:45 PM	#1
shaymus Guest	sigma 150-500 IS - camera or lens I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts?

05-04-2012, 06:05 PM	#5
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Adam Usually you want to just stick to in-camera stabilization. Not great advice for the Sigma 150-500mm. For longer focal lengths (300+), the Sigma in-lens OS is demonstrably better than Pentax's in-body SR. I've been using this lens for 7 months, and while I almost always use the in-lens OS, I'll switch to SR when the battery is getting low (Sigma OS uses the lens-focus "SDM contacts" for power, which can drain your battery). Having used both methods side-by-side like this quite a bit, the OS shots are almost always a bit sharper. Naturally, that might also be because it's a lot easier to check focus and composition at 500mm when your viewfinder isn't jittering all over the place! That said, for the sharpest shots at 500mm, you should really turn both off and be using a tripod or monopod. But if you don't have one handy, Heie also has some good tips for handholding (regardless of OS/SR)! Last edited by panoguy; 05-04-2012 at 06:12 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Flower Petal Shaped Lens Hood for Sigma 150-500 ?	mgbirder	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	5	03-09-2012 01:53 PM
For Sale - Sold: Sigma 150-500 HSM	AGWoodard	Sold Items	8	10-16-2011 02:51 PM
IQ for 150-500, 50-500, 120-400 Sigma's?	saladin	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	07-30-2011 04:57 PM
Sigma 50-500 vs 150-500 vs 170-500	juanraortiz	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	19	10-30-2009 03:32 PM

05-04-2012, 12:57 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Usually you want to just stick to in-camera stabilization. There are a few threads listing the pros and cons on the forum if you want to do a search or check the similar threads below.

05-04-2012, 01:28 PM	#3
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by shaymus I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts? I had a 150-500 OS for a couple of weeks. I found the lens stabilization gave me more keepers than SR. The problem with switching back and forth is to remember to activate at least one, and never both.

05-04-2012, 04:57 PM	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by shaymus I recently purchased a sigma 150-500 and I'm at a loss as to where the best IS option lies, camer or lens? My guess would be to turn off the IS in the camera, and use the IS on the lens . . . Any thoughts? You should test it yourself. Try it both ways and see I use the body SR because: I like to check my technique. If the viewfinder is not wobbling I can't tell if I am. I won't forget to turn SR on for other lenses. Can damage the lens if unmounted while lens IS is on (so says Sigma) Least of all, exif will show SR disabled if lens IS is used.