Big Mamma is Home! Picked up the Big Sig last night. The Sigma 150 - 500 lens on my 5D Mk3 should produce some good shots, when I learn how to use it. Would appreciate some tips and/or...

David E Loc: Southwestern Ontario, Canada

Picked up the Big Sig last night. The Sigma 150 - 500 lens on my 5D Mk3 should produce some good shots, when I learn how to use it. Would appreciate some tips and/or guidlines from experience photogs who have this lens. How does it behave? What are the hazzards, if any? etc. Thanx in advance! Dave

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I don't know about any hazards! It can be used hand held but a tripod is almost a must,it gets quite heavy very fast.. I am sure you will enjoy using it quite a lot. Happy shooting and post some pic's asap.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

David E wrote:

What are the hazzards, if any? Dave

David, dropping it on your big toe must surely be one of the hazards!!
SS

zuzanne Loc: Crawfordville, FL

I love mine. Recommend tripod as it does get quite heavy after packing it around for a while. I like the ability to lock the lens so keep lens creep from happening. Enjoy and share your photos with us.

zuzanne

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Main hazzard is finding enough subjects to use it on.

Straight Shooter Loc: Newfoundland, Canada

I use that lens on a Canon 60D and like the combination. I recently posted a few shots using it of an eagle's nest - they are at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-122376-1.html. Best with a tripod, keep the shutter speed fairly fast - eg 1/500th - and don't be afraid to up the ISO.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Don't drop it on your toe.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Don't drop it period!

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

All of the above. I have the 50-500mm version and I've had great results on a 60D. Most are hand held, but stabilized on any handy solid object. I usually carry a towel to place under the lens/camera for protection. Happy shooting. DJT

brccli1 Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The only hazard is you can get a hernia from lugging it around all day. I am blessed to have a partner who willingly acts as a sherpa for me and we share the weight. One real note of caution is to be sure you have a sturdy tripod to stabilise the lens/camera combo.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

David E wrote:

Picked up the Big Sig last night. The Sigma 150 - 500 lens on my 5D Mk3 should produce some good shots, when I learn how to use it. Would appreciate some tips and/or guidlines from experience photogs who have this lens. How does it behave? What are the hazzards, if any? etc. Thanx in advance! Dave

Only hazard that comes to mind is don't look directly into the sun with it.
--Bob

FrumCA

A back brace might be in order!! I'm looking forward to seeing the photos you take with it.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

I have the 50-500 OS. The plastic hood comes in two pieces.
Don't know if the 150-500 is the same, but on mine, the two parts have a tendency to stick together, and patience is a must when trying to separate them. My lens will creep if I don't use the zoom lock. Of course that's why Sigma installed
it. If you are not using a tripod, removing the tripod mount will save a little weight. When zoomed toward the long end, the sweet spot is f8/f11.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Works better when BALANCED on support of some kind - if you want to move fast - that means a well articulated monopod. Some claim it not to be a true 500mm at the long end and soft when fully extended and wide open. This will leave you a "sweeter spot" of around a marked 450mm at F9 or F10. And it is worth to note it is F6 at 300mm also !

pigpen

imagemeister wrote:

Works better when BALANCED on support of some kind - if you want to move fast - that means a well articulated monopod. Some claim it not to be a true 500mm at the long end and soft when fully extended and wide open. This will leave you a "sweeter spot" of around a marked 450mm at F9 or F10. And it is worth to note it is F6 at 300mm also !

About it being a "true" 500mm. While reading reviews, someone compared it with the Canon 400mm f/5.6 (which is what I replaced my Sigma with), they shot a $100 bill. Sigma @ 500mm and the Canon, of course, @ 400mm. There was basically no difference.