Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thanks!

Jakebrake Loc: Broomfield, Colorado

I got mine through GreenToe for $725. I placed a bid and it was picked up by one of the NYC big boys within an hour of my submission. GreenToe doesn't want it publicized who the store was, so I won't. Also got my Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 through GreenToe for $150 less than list. All camera equipment through GreenToe is USA with mfg warranty. Couldn't be happier with the savings!

pahtspix

I purchased a Nikon D500 /Tamron 150-600mm G2 almost a year ago, and have NOT looked back..I knew the Sigma Sport was too heavy, and I didn't care for the weight and feel of the Nikon 150-500 (along with 100mm less on the long end).. My D500 and the above Tamron G2, have proven themselves to me as being the BEST combo I could have purchased..A marriage made in heaven!!

wolfman

Agreed, it sounds more like operator error. I have the Sigma Sport and never had that problem.

jscharp

I Have the Sigma 150-600 Sport. I use it for bird photography. I have been very happy with it
. The images are sharp. I haven't tried handholding it. I use a tripod with a gimbal head.
.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I agree with you that the tripod is the best way of handling this heavy lens. I use mine mostly with a mono-pod (basically because of mobility, I carry the mono-pod with camera and lens over my shoulder with mono-pod attached to lens foot and lens neck strap about my neck). My tripod is Sirui P-224S 63" 4-Section Carbon Fiber Monopod .

(Download)

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

As others have stated, there's no such thing as a Sigma 100-600mm.... There are 150-600mm lenses and 100-400mm lenses. But no 100-600mm.

There are two Sigma 150-600mm... the less expensive, lighter weight "Contemporary" and the higher performance, more pro-oriented, heavier and more expensive "Sport". I believe these lenses are only avail. in Nikon F,d Canon EF and Sigma SA mount.

There also is now a Sigma 100-400mm... considerably smaller and a bit lighter weight. 400mm might be "long enough" for a lot of things, especially if using it on a DX camera (and FX camera user might prefer the bigger 150-600mm). Seems like a decent lens, my only gripe is that there's no provision for even an optional tripod mounting ring, which I'd want. Again, lens is avail. in Nikon, Canon and Sigma mount.

There also are two Tamron 150-600mm... their now-discontinued original version and a current, improved "G2" version (cost of which is roughly halfway in-between the two Sigma lenses). Both these lenses are offered in Nikon, Canon and Sony A-mount.

Tamron is also introducing a new 100-400mm.... don't know much about it, not yet in stores but expected in the next week or two. It also doesn't come with a tripod mounting ring, but the lens is designed to accommodate one that Tamron is offering optionally. It's a neat design, too... No need for a separate lens plate. First t'pod ring I've seen direct from a lens manufacturer that has a built-in Arca-style dovetail... usually those are only avail. as custom, after-market items. Currently this lens is only offered in Nikon and Canon mounts.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Think twice before thinking you can effectively handhold this 6 1/2 lb. lens ! - some younger stronger people can - MOST cannot - with any desired effectiveness ! That is the BAD. There are ways to effectively use this lens - but hand holding is not one of them - sorry.

How do I know? I have used the Canon 300 2.8 with 2X - same weight, same 600mm.

wolfman

Believe it or not, I have had great success hand holding the Sport, and I'm 70.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I would say you are the exception then.

- Are you truly - satisfied with your keeper rate doing this ?? - and are you doing wildlife/birds ??......EFFECTIVELY ? ...............and, are you on full frame where you can turn up your ISO to counteract enormous shutter speeds ? And, is your sucess @600mm ?

Paulie Loc: NW IL

My 2c : again - I'm learning how to do all this and I agree that high ISO capability of FF would be a step up towards better image quality, but none of this means that Sigma 150-600 Contemporary is not capable of taking sharp pictures even when handheld. IS freezes the frame completely for a fraction of a second long enough to be able to take a shot. When it comes to keeper rate I personally would say that it doesn't matter much since we don't count every frame like in film era. I'll be happy if I take 500 pictures of birds and one will be worth publishing. Why not?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

I have the Sigma 150mm-600mm Contemporary and have pleased with the results when I got it right. :-) Quite a bit lighter than the Sport version, which is weather sealed (?). Includes the usb dock from Adorama for less than a $1000.

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Hmmmm, speak for yourself. Maybe it's in the way YOU don't cradle the lens in your left palm and brace your upper arms shoulder to elbow against your chest and breath control, then squeeze off the shot, because that's the way I do it. I bought the Tamron 150-600 VC years ago and that was the first test I performed.
I was delighted and have been with hand held, but YES IT'S HEAVY, and I will use my "old school" Gitzo Studex 320 w/GH 2750 offset ballhead for slower shutter speeds than VC is effective at. I get 2 stops VC at 600mm, but 3-4 150-300.
Just to run this point home here's an unprocessed 100% crop of a JPEG test shot at 600mm with Canon 5D Mark II, ISO 800, 1/640th/s, center point focus, VC on, and HAND HELD when I first got this lens two years ago. So, as I am 5'/8", 135 lbs. at 65 years of age it most certainly is doable, though I use my monopod or tripod for extended periods of shooting.

(Download)

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

So, there you are with the 499 practice shots YOU needed. How do you brace hand held for shooting? If you can't get a better keeper rate with practice, then back to square one. If you aren't able, then why not put it on a stick or three legged thing, huh? Your limits aren't that of others. I suggest you read my post above for additional information, friend.

Bobnewnan

The Tamron 150-600, the original, works just great hand held. I'd attach a bird in flight photo but haven't figured out how in this box.