Thoughts: Canon rebel T6 with a Sigma 150-500mm f/5.6-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM: Hello, I'm new here, and I'm looking for feed back. I have a Canon Rebel T6 with 75-300mm f/1.4-5.6 II...

agneiss1

Hello, I'm new here, and I'm looking for feed back. I have a Canon Rebel T6 with 75-300mm f/1.4-5.6 II lens. I'm looking for something to reach out a bit farther, and am looking at a used Sigma lens, which is a
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens, which I can pickup for anywhere from $450 to $650. Any thoughts or advise to an amateur photographer on this subject.

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

That's f/4-5.6 not 1.4-5.6, but it's not that important.
The body and lens combination you are questioning should work fine.
The Sigma 150-500 is an older design that has been replaced by the 150-600 Contemporary. The 150-600 is a better lens but there is no reason that you can't get good photos with the older lens. It does require a good bit of light to perform well because it performs best in the f/11 to f/16 range. I wouldn't pay more than $500 for one. Retailers KEH and Adorama usually have a few nice ones for sale.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

agneiss1 wrote:

Hello, I'm new here, and I'm looking for feed back. I have a Canon Rebel T6 with 75-300mm f/1.4-5.6 II lens. I'm looking for something to reach out a bit farther, and am looking at a used Sigma lens, which is a
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens, which I can pickup for anywhere from $450 to $650. Any thoughts or advise to an amateur photographer on this subject.

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

It is a good lens.
Make sure it is returnable if there is something wrong with it when you get it.
Should be a great addition for more reach on your T6.
Post some great shots after you get it.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I am pleased with mine in use on both crop and FF Nikon cameras.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

For the money, that lens is an excellent value. I used one for a number of years on a Pentax k20d and was quite pleased with the images that required only minimal post processing. I nearly always had to add a touch of contrast and sharpening, which was no bother. If you are of just average strength, the lens can be used handheld although it is awkward. If you are just getting started with long range telephoto lenses, it is an excellent place to begin.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

The lens should do the job for you but I would probably encourage you to get the 600 as it is supposed to be improved from the original 500. I would recommend you consider investing a good tripod and a gimbal head. If you are shooting a lot it is a heavy set up and you need all the support that you can get. For wild live some times you need to wait for the shot that you want and that can some times tale several seconds or more. I have the Tamaron and that has been my experience. If you are shooting large birds or animals you will need to wait for them look at you or change positions and you can not see pose unless you can see them though the view finder.

JasonC Loc: Houston, Texas

I have a Canon T6S/760D that I use with a 50-500mm Sigma lens that I purchased on eBay for less than USD400. This camera and lens combination produces pretty sharp photos at f/9. The 50-500mm lens option appears to be less expensive than your proposed 150-500mm and is a bit more versatile as well.

Jason

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

agneiss1 wrote:

Hello, I'm new here, and I'm looking for feed back. I have a Canon Rebel T6 with 75-300mm f/1.4-5.6 II lens. I'm looking for something to reach out a bit farther, and am looking at a used Sigma lens, which is a
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens, which I can pickup for anywhere from $450 to $650. Any thoughts or advise to an amateur photographer on this subject.

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I think, if you are patient and careful, you can get a decent Canon 100-400 version I for $750 - just a bit more than your current budget - but a better lens and investment ....

Even better, you should look at a NEW Tamron or Sigma 100-400 in your price range ....

..

agneiss1

Thanks to everyone for the input, it's greatly appreciated! I imagine it won't work quite as well in low light conditions due to being f/4-5.6. I do have a good tripod. Any thoughts on the auto focus performance of this lens? Thanks again.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

agneiss1 wrote:

Thanks to everyone for the input, it's greatly appreciated! I imagine it won't work quite as well in low light conditions due to being f/4-5.6. I do have a good tripod. Any thoughts on the auto focus performance of this lens? Thanks again.

As ALWAYS, a Canon lens on a Canon body will have the best AF performance !!

..

agneiss1

What about adding a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter to my canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 III for extra range. I realize my field of view will be smaller, but how much?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

agneiss1 wrote:

What about adding a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter to my canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 III for extra range. I realize my field of view will be smaller, but how much?

Your 75-300 is a very POOR lens - and for all practical purposes will NOT accept an extender !

agneiss1

You mention Tamron, what about this lens: Tamron SP 150-600MM F/5-6.3 DI VC USD (MODEL A011)?
Thanks

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

agneiss1 wrote:

Hello, I'm new here, and I'm looking for feed back. I have a Canon Rebel T6 with 75-300mm f/1.4-5.6 II lens. I'm looking for something to reach out a bit farther, and am looking at a used Sigma lens, which is a
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens, which I can pickup for anywhere from $450 to $650. Any thoughts or advise to an amateur photographer on this subject.

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Your present longest focal length is 300mm. Another 200mm might make a big difference for you personally. Try to locate a 500mm lens and bolt it on, and see if 500mm is something you have no problems shooting. Hopefully you can get this lens and enjoy it. Good luck.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

agneiss1 wrote:

What about adding a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter to my canon 75-300 f/4-5.6 III for extra range. I realize my field of view will be smaller, but how much?

It shouldn't work with 2X and be borderline (only at 75mm) with a 1.4X. The effective aperture will drop below what your camera (or most cameras) can auto-focus with (probably ~f/5.6). I have the 80D which is better but only focuses down to f/8.0.

Then again, that lens is below average.