wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

My neighbor & I both have Sigma 150-600 Sport lenses. I use a Nikon D4s. The lens focuses fine on static subjects but when I try to focus on a medium sized, distant flying bird (raven) against a clean blue sky the lens insists on shifting to the near focus point (10m when focus slider is set to "10m to infinity" for example) rather than on the bird.

I know I can customize the minimum focus distance using the Sigma dock and the C1 or C2 focus distance options, but this creates other issues - not focusing if the bird gets closer. At present I have C1 set on 10 meters minimum.

I have updated the lens firmware to the very recently released Sigma version.

I have played with Nikon's various continuous focus options (D9, D21, D51, 3D, Group, etc) and also various apertures (f/6.3 to f/13) with no luck.

I have Nikon lenses (80-400, 600 F/4, etc) which do not have a similar focus issue.

Does anyone have a Sigma 150-600 Sport and is shooting distant (100 ft plus) flying birds against a clear sky background that can offer ideas?

Please don't suggest another brand of camera body, just any Nikon related options.

I called Sigma but the tech support person did not seem to want to address the issue.

Walt Custer

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I don't know enough about Nikon equipment to directly answer this question, but I wonder about the settings selected for these photos. I use the same lens on a Canon 5D3 with focus set for single point, with no focus problems.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

I'm not a big birder, but I would try Back Button continuous focus on a single focus point.

Jim Bob

Sounds like human error.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

Walt,
As a Canon guy it is almost more than I can do to restrain myself about suggesting different brand of gear. OK; I do shoot a lot of BIF, and if your camera body will do it pick a setting that uses the central spot plus the 9 or so spots nearest that center focus spot. That's how I set my 1DX for BIF; when I only used the center spot, I would miss a lot, but by adding the adjoining spots I got a lot more in focus photos. I have alternated between back button and normal focusing mechanisms and don't see a lot of difference.

Another thing? what is the f stop of the lens you are using when wide open? Will the focus points of your body focus at that f stop? If so are you shooting wide open? Most bodies get bad about focusing around f8. If that doesn't work add more focus points, but then you start focusing on non-bird items.

Learn to move the chosen focus spots quickly around your screen, so that you can frame the birds nicely. But most of all keep shooting; BIF is a skill that can be acquired or improved upon. Before I go on a trip, I'll sit in my back yard and fire away at anything that moves, just to get better at tracking the birds.

I met a guy that was excellent at "hitting" the BIF with his focus, and found out he was a competitive skeet shooter. He said the skill transferred to BIF photography.

I know you don't want to hear it, but the vast, vast majority of the serious BIF photographers use long prime super telephotos, at about F4. I am so sorry to tell you but your zoom does not compare to a 600mm F4 prime of either Canon or Nikon, no matter what the other "hoggers" say. I will also say that the newer 600mm from Canon is very significantly better than the first version, both in terms of sharpness and rapidity of focus. I have owned both.

My last suggestion is to take a BIF workshop. I think Doug Brown's workshops at Bosque del Apache are fantastic, and he may be the best BIF photographer in the country. Look at his website, check out how many of his shots are in the online bird books. He can be a big help.
Bill

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Wotsmith,

Sounds good!

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I use the same settings as suggested here. I use it with the Nikon D810 - 150-600 Sport.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

WC, in your situation, I would start by enabling ALL your focus points and see if it improves. Shooting against a clear blue sky, there is NOTHING else for the camera to focus on, but the bird. Then start to par down the point groupings until it starts to fall apart as it is now. That might get you the best focus point pattern for you particular equipment combo.
I'm sure the camera is up to snuff. The weak link is gonna be that ultra slow lens.
At the f-stop you are using, check Nikons focus groups and get the most out of what the camera will let you use. Most of the super sensitive surrounding groups are probably not available to you, so they are not being used. Single center might be your ONLY option, I just don't know your equipment. Good luck. ;-)
SS

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

I use the same settings as suggested here. I use it with the Nikon D810 - 150-600 Sport.

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

My only issue is with birds on a sky background.

Using single point autofocus is a challenge on a small moving object at distance (high in sky). That is why I am using 9, 21 or 51 focus points.

I don't think single point autofocus will resolve the issue. Have you tried your Sigma lens under the conditions I described?

Walt

Catchnreel Loc: Long Island NY

:thumbup:

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

I always use back button focus.

I am hoping to find someone that actually has experience with this lens, a Nikon body and bird-in-flight shooting.

Catchnreel Loc: Long Island NY

I shoot a D7200 with a Sigma C
My friend uses a Sigma S. Neither one of us has a problem tracking birds in flight using single point and back button focus. It helps if you pre focus in the area that you think the birds will be to catch the shot however. The lens does tend to wander a bit if you're not directly on it at first but once you pick it up it's wonderful We photograph on a daily basis and are extremely happy with these lenses. The 2lb difference between the 2 lenses is a big difference when free holding for any length of time though. Hope this helps.

wcuster Loc: The Sea Ranch, CA

OK, I have egg on my face.
I did not believe that switching from D21 or D9 to single point would make a difference, but it did!

The lens focuses fine using continuous focus, single point but has a consistent problem (reverts to near distance setting - which is out of focus) for other focus modes modes.

So for birds in flight with the Sigma 150-600 sport with my Nikon D4s I am using back button focus, continuous focus, single focus point.

wotsmith Loc: Nashville TN

Hooray!!!!