Birding lens: Hello wildlife shooters. I have narrowed my lens search down to Sigma 50-500 to use with my d 7000. I need AF & VR or equivalent. I need to use it on tripod or handheld.

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Birding lens

Nov 6, 2012 09:19:56 #

sus Loc: Ripon,Ca

Hello wildlife shooters. I have narrowed my lens search down to Sigma 50-500 to use with my d 7000. I need AF & VR or equivalent. I need to use it on tripod or handheld. I want it to be fast and sharp. From what I've read I think this is the right lens. Anyone shooting with this lens? Does it fit my criteria?

Nov 6, 2012 09:44:47 #

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Not exactly "fast", but a good lens. The 150-500mm OS HSM version is faster focusing and a bit lighter. I use it almost daily. Its sharp all the way to 500mm, I didn't like the 50-500mm versions soft focus over 350mm.

Nov 6, 2012 10:06:32 #

chauncey Loc: Rochester, Mi

Regardless of the lens that you select, peruse these links for a much needed accessory that is realitively inexpensive.
http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=ww#hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_nf=3&gs_mss=using%20a%20sight%20&cp=45&gs_id=4y&xhr=t&q=using+a+sight+for+birds+in+flight+photography&pf=p&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS492&biw=2363&bih=1177&sclient=psy-ab&oq=using+a+sight+for+birds+in+flight+photography&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=105ad04a2e2a7787&bpcl=37189454
Will make it a whole lot easier to keep that bird within your field of view which improves your AF abilities.

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Nov 6, 2012 11:53:41 #

sus Loc: Ripon,Ca

Thank you! Those sites are now bookmarked. I was worried about drifting away from nikon lenses but did not see what I wanted with them.

Nov 6, 2012 13:56:16 #

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I use the Sigma 150-500mm and have gotten good results. I have used it hand-held, but you pretty much need a tri or mono pod.

Nov 6, 2012 16:55:43 #

retired Loc: Lindsborg, Kansas

you won't be sorry with the Sigma 150-500mm. Shoot lots of birds with mine and love it...

Nov 6, 2012 23:52:00 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

sus wrote:

Thank you! Those sites are now bookmarked. I was worried about drifting away from nikon lenses but did not see what I wanted with them.

If you are looking into Red-Dot (Aim-Points in shooting parlance), you will find the dot somewhat imprecise, but a good start to a great idea. Consider substituting a 4X or 6X pistol scope. They are shorter and lighter than rifle scopes, often easier to mount, have a longer eye relief (your eye doesn't have to be as close as with a rifle scope) and offer several reticle options (crosshair, dot, converging but uncrossed lines, rangefinder, etc.). All are readily adjustable and, with various rings, highly adaptable.

Nov 7, 2012 00:16:47 #

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Where do I find these aiming helps and is there a mounting bracket or ? Thanks for your help. Mike

Nov 7, 2012 00:18:45 #

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

olcoach wrote:

Where do I find these aiming helps and is there a mounting bracket or ? Thanks for your help. Mike

Try a gun shop or sporting goods store.

Nov 7, 2012 00:37:01 #

andrew.haysom Loc: Melbourne, Australia

I have the Sigma 120-400mm and love it for birding. I use a monopod and agree that you'll need some sort of support unless you are younger and stronger than me!

Nov 7, 2012 05:17:03 #

drupoint Loc: MARGATE Tasmania

I have the 50-500 on board D7000

One thing I want to do , is the focus pryamiad AF Fine Tune test .

At this stage I,m happy with it .

I,m at between ISO 400-640 for fast shutter for birding, otherwise was blurring at slow speeds, also avoid dead short or complete long ,to get better sharpness.

Hope that helps .

Cheers
Bruce

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Nov 7, 2012 05:42:40 #

Spaaarky Loc: Norfolk/Cambs border UK

sus wrote:

Here is a thread i posted abou a week ago giving my opinion of the lens showing pictures from the D7000 and Sigma 150-500mm DG APO OS HSM.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-74429-1.html

Nov 7, 2012 08:20:37 #

Opus Loc: South East Michigan

I have used the Sigma 50-500 for years with good results. The lens has limitations though. F8 is the sweet spot but don't go past f13 as the picture quality will suffer.

Nov 10, 2012 02:41:11 #

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

the closer you can get, the more choices you have.

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