Big Mama, Sigma 50-500mm
Aug 16, 2012 14:37:09 #
I have been reading reviews of this lens and really can't get a feel for this lens and if it would be good for day time football games. Reviews range from great with decent lighting but what is decent lighting? Not for indoor sports, but never saw about outdoor sports. Would this lens be worth the $100 to rent it for a weekend? Anyone have some expertise with Big Mama?
Aug 16, 2012 14:41:17 #
best guy to talk to on this lens is mtshooter. i believe he has one.
it's always best to rent a lens before you buy...saves you big bucks in the end. i have rented quite a few that i was not happy with...glad i rented instead of buying.
the other option is to buy from a dealer that has a good return policy. if you don't like it..return it within a few weeks and get a refund.
it's always best to rent a lens before you buy...saves you big bucks in the end. i have rented quite a few that i was not happy with...glad i rented instead of buying.
the other option is to buy from a dealer that has a good return policy. if you don't like it..return it within a few weeks and get a refund.
Aug 16, 2012 15:03:32 #
Wouldn't the lighting required for good shots depend on the F stop the camera is rated for ?
Sarge
Sarge
Aug 16, 2012 15:05:06 #
Aug 16, 2012 15:12:43 #
Lotta Light - F11 / F16 and up
No Light - F1.8 to F5.6 maybe
Also would affect your DOF
Sarge
No Light - F1.8 to F5.6 maybe
Also would affect your DOF
Sarge
Aug 16, 2012 15:16:16 #
Aug 16, 2012 15:31:30 #
For daytime football games this lens should be good as far as exposure goes. You should be able to shoot at ISO 800 at 1/2000 sec at about f/8 to 11which should be fine for sports. As the sun goes down it would become less and less useful as it is only a f/4.5-6.3 lens. I can not speak to how quick it focuses nor to how easy that wide a zoom range is to work with in fast changing situations. Renting one seems a good option!
Aug 16, 2012 15:31:36 #
I have no experience with Big Mama so I can't comment there.
If you are going to be panning to capture action at a football game, it might prove difficult to do at 500mm. If you are planning to capture the players as they are waiting for the hike, then the 500mm might be ideal.
I shoot a lot of football games, but always from the sidelines and sometimes I walk around to the endzones. I can see using the 500mm or even a 400mm from the endzone to get the faces of some of the players.
At most games, the most photographed players are usually the receivers, because they are generally on the ends. The guys in the middle rarely get photographed, but from the end zones, and with a 400mm or higher, this would be possible, I'm sure.
I can definitely tell you that if I had thought of it, I would've rented that lens for my trip to Yellowstone. That 500mm would've come in very handy when I was photographing some grizzlies that were about 100 yards out from the road where I was parked to view them.
If you are going to be panning to capture action at a football game, it might prove difficult to do at 500mm. If you are planning to capture the players as they are waiting for the hike, then the 500mm might be ideal.
I shoot a lot of football games, but always from the sidelines and sometimes I walk around to the endzones. I can see using the 500mm or even a 400mm from the endzone to get the faces of some of the players.
At most games, the most photographed players are usually the receivers, because they are generally on the ends. The guys in the middle rarely get photographed, but from the end zones, and with a 400mm or higher, this would be possible, I'm sure.
I can definitely tell you that if I had thought of it, I would've rented that lens for my trip to Yellowstone. That 500mm would've come in very handy when I was photographing some grizzlies that were about 100 yards out from the road where I was parked to view them.
Aug 16, 2012 20:45:50 #
dasloaf wrote:
I have been reading reviews of this lens and really can't get a feel for this lens and if it would be good for day time football games. Reviews range from great with decent lighting but what is decent lighting? Not for indoor sports, but never saw about outdoor sports. Would this lens be worth the $100 to rent it for a weekend? Anyone have some expertise with Big Mama?
I use the other Bigma, the 150-500mm model and love it for daytime outdoor sports like football, baseball and soccer. It has a reputation of being a slow lens, but that is in marginal light, it is pretty poor indoors. I chose the 150 over the 50 because of 2 things, first I already had the range to 200mm covered with 2 other very fine lenses so I did not need the overlap of focal lengths. Second, it was 0ver $600 cheaper and that money was handy to keep in my wallet at the time.
If you buy it new from Adorama or B&H you will get a 30day money back return policy, buy it, try it, and return it if you don't like it. I have never been a fan of renting a "used" lens for fear of it having been abused and not working properly, thereby skewing my opinion against it for no good reason.
Aug 16, 2012 20:51:45 #
MT Shooter wrote:
quote=dasloaf I have been reading reviews of this... (show quote)
I see excellent reasoning in mtshooters response, as always, he's the go to guy for good info, as well as nikonian22
Aug 17, 2012 06:57:19 #
jimberton wrote:
best guy to talk to on this lens is mtshooter. i believe he has one.
it's always best to rent a lens before you buy...saves you big bucks in the end. i have rented quite a few that i was not happy with...glad i rented instead of buying.
the other option is to buy from a dealer that has a good return policy. if you don't like it..return it within a few weeks and get a refund.
it's always best to rent a lens before you buy...saves you big bucks in the end. i have rented quite a few that i was not happy with...glad i rented instead of buying.
the other option is to buy from a dealer that has a good return policy. if you don't like it..return it within a few weeks and get a refund.
Seems to me it's the other way around. Why spend $100.00 to rent a lens? If you can return it and get a full refund, then you've lost nothing. If you rent a lens, you're paying for time, of which there is no refund.
Aug 17, 2012 07:14:32 #
Well, if you have an extra $1000 laying around, please send it to me. Renting is a way to explore different lens for a minimal cost.
Aug 17, 2012 07:44:27 #
These pic's of track meet were taken in the daytime with my Sigma 150 - 500mm and D7000. I think this lens does quite well in outdoor sports settings!! Good luck!
Aug 17, 2012 08:12:39 #
tdklex wrote:
quote=jimberton best guy to talk to on this lens ... (show quote)
============================
right on tdklex
If you are considering buying it means hat you have the money and can return it if you do not like it.
If you only want the lens for one trip and one purpose it may make more sense but still seems a real wast of money.
I bought my 60D outfit and can sell it 16months later with the result of being out of money about $40 a month. Try renting a body w 3 lenses and filters and hood, a battery grip and a 580 ex ii for 16 months at $40 a months. To me, renting only makes sense for the rentor not the renter.
Aug 17, 2012 08:55:45 #
Jackinthebox wrote:
quote=tdklex quote=jimberton best guy to talk to... (show quote)
My point exactly Jackinthebox, especially your first sentence. Glad you agree.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.