WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

I recently acquired this lens.Has anyone on the Hog use this lens and what are your thoughts? My first shot at 600mm.Handheld.

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billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The more the X factor, the more careful the photographer has to be.
For instance, lets take a 2X zoom like the Nikon 200-400 f4 lens, a very fast and only doubles it's focal length throughout it's zoom range.
Usually, as the X factor goes up, many negative things can happen, so when you use a high X factor slow lens you should adhere to the following. Especially one that has a 10X factor like the 60-600
1. always shoot at a shutter speed equal to the focal length of the lens or higher, so if your shooting at 60mm your minimum shutter speed should be 1/60 sec. if your shooting at 600mm, your minimum shutter speed should be 1/600 sec.
2. A slow lens like a 5.6 to 6.3 already has a great DOF (depth of field) and this increases as you go away from the camera location. So, isolating a subject from the back ground becomes something you have to take into account. Always try to have a lot of room behind your subject so you can isolate it from the background.
3. Learn to get close to your subject.
4. Shoot from a low angle, that's right, lay on the ground so your almost aiming upward, this will help eliminate a background.
5. A fast zoom can be shot wide open and still stay sharp, like a 300 2.8 or a 600 f4 are designed to shoot wide open and still be sharp. A slow zoom sometimes means it has to be stopped down a stop or two to get the maximum amount of sharpness out of it.
6. You may want to use Aperture Priority and auto iso to help get the maximum sharpness out of your lens.
The lens is capable of great shots but you will have to work on your technique to achieve greatness.
good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That certainly is a nice focal range, and your hand-held shot at 600mm is very good. Of course a tripod would produce better results, but that depends on how you're going to use the resulting image.

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

Thanks jerryc41 for your comment.I know I will have fun learning this lens,

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

Thanks billnikon,you have provided me with some valuable information.I am going to print your post so I can refer to it. Thanks!!!

Ourspolair

From the EXIF data it looks as though your shutter speed was adequate - with your camera, you could go to ISO 1000 and increase your DOF by going to f8 (which should optimize your DOF with this lens). You did not mention how much of a crop this was. Totally agree that a tripod is almost certainly going to improve your definition - if not, if you still experience definition problems, you could make sure that the lens and your camera have the latest firmware updates. After that, if you still have problems, you could ask the supplier to exchange it for a new one if you are not happy with the results. Stay well and keep on shooting!

WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

Thanks for valuable information,

RonKoris Loc: St. Helena Island, SC

Just recently received my 60-600mm Sigma. Went out shooting Sunday for the first time. Lens and Canon 5D Mark IV made for a very heavy handheld, but I am pleased with my first results.

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WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

Great job Ron! I haven't had time to put mine through it paces yet, but I know it will be worth it.Enjoy the beast

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I have enjoyed mine for about 2 years now. Love the sharpness, but mostly am amazed at the results over such a wide range, makes it a great travel lens. Here are 2 shot less than an hour apart with it. I intentionally took a "one body, one lens" trip with it last year, it never disappointed!

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WesIam Loc: Phoenixville, Pa

Thanks for your response MT. I was a little apprehensive about getting this lens, but now I think I made the right decision. I will post some photos soon.

glenn mayher

AH! A blue squirrel.