cgp10019 Loc: New York City

Hi ck2:

Agreed, larger prime lenses are better as a rule, and their cost much higher. However, these lenses are at a fixed focal length (400, 500, 800 or 2000mm) which limits the photographer from cropping the in view subject and scene. I personally prefer to crop and frame my photo in the camera to take advantage of the camera's pixel count and resolution quality for final printing. At the time of my purchase of the 150-600 A lens, I also purchased the dock and the new Sigma TC 1.4 and TC 2 teleconverters. The 1.4 is sharper with the 150-600 A lens, while the TC 2 doubles the focal length it has additional loss of IQ. This is the trade-off when using any and all teleconverters regardless of manufacturer, these devices are not optically perfect.

Like you, I agree on the weather and dust sealing. The Sigma 150-600 A lens, in my opinion, is an outstanding lens at the price point, IQ and build quality.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I'm ASSUMING you were responding to me. Please use "Quote Reply" so we know for sure. I hope you're speaking about the Sigma 150-600 Sports version as I know of no A version. IMHO, a 2x TC on a F6.3 lens is almost a complete waste of time as there will be no AF. Even with the 1.4 TC, AF may not work at all on most cameras, or if it does, it will be mighty slow. While a prime is a good candidate for a TC, those all-in-one monster zooms are not! YMMV. Best of luck.

cgp10019 Loc: New York City

Hi cic2:

Forgive me for my earlier incorrect addressing you on the forum on this subject and discussion. The Sigma TC-2 teleconverter is certainly the least desirable solution to doubling the focal length of the 150-600 S lens. I know I have tested it on moon shot photos. The TC-1.4 in good daylight seems to work well if not OK on my A7RII with the MC11 adaptor. Some cameras perform better than others and the Sony A7RII is no exception to the general rule. Due to the 150-600 S lens slower f-stops both of the Sigma TC converters can and have become a problem with low light and auto focus. As I stated earlier there are no perfect lenses. Ideally, I would have liked Sigma to have engineered, designed, and manufactured an f1.4 150-600 S lens. I cannot imagine the additional, size, weight, and cost of such a beast.

JohnKlingel

Check how auto focus works on your camera. All Nikons except the D5 and D500, are designed for max performance with lenses that are f5.6 or greater opening. At f6.3, auto focus works but with fewer focus points. I'm pretty sure the Sigma is f6.3 at 600mm. And with a 1.4 extender, f6.3 becomes f8 and even fewer focus points work. So again, check how auto focus works on your camera.

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

I second that. I have a tamron 150-600mm and a big tripod with a gimbal mount and it mostly stays in the cabinet as it is way too much work to set up and use. Very sensitive to any movement at all even your heart beat. I shoot mine with remote release and can get good images with my nikon d4 but it is way too much work and I kind wish I had not invested in that size lens at all....but if you love wildlife and are patient to set up and wait...they can do good.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A very illuminating comment that everyone should be paying very close attention to !

There ARE other options besides a clunky/burdensome/expensive/time consuming tripod and gimbal though - like a monopod or bodypod.......but they will still require SOME effort !

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

I have a big Opteka monopod with head on it but the gimballed head does not work well on it. The gimbal lets you pan flying birds better than any other way. I have not found I can handhold the big lens with the nikon d4...it weighs over 8 pounds with that lens. I took the monopod which is very heavy duty with me to shoot a borzoi dog show and ended up not using it at all. I was able to shoot the 80-200mm f 2.8 lens handheld and panning better without the monopod when dog and handler were moving with indoor crappy lighting and high iso. I did not even try the 150-600 as it was a range that got way too close and cropped out too much. My main lenses are something in the 28-70 range for general use, f 2.8 then the f 2.8 80-200mm and for distance I have a f4.0 up to 300mm zoom, nikkors. The tamron 150-600 is in the cabinet and when I get around to it I'll sell it. I got one, tried it, figured out how to use it, decided not to use it as it was not the arena I photographically spent my time in. I did try it though.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Many people give up way too easily on a monopod !

When you spend BIG bucks on a lens (like a Canon 300 2.8 and 2X and are truly passionate about what you are shooting) it is great motivator for MAKING it work ! That is how I did it - and went on from there to develop the Bodypod.

BTW, the Tamron is the lightest of the 150-600's.

Lance Pearson Loc: Viriginia

the monopod is out and in the great room leaning on the tripod for quick use but I found I can handle the Nikon D4 with an 80-200mm f 2.8 lens without it. If I'm somewhere shooting lots of images of sports like a soccer match or some such then it is incredibly handy...almost like zone focusing and it does give you a rest and a stable platform. I do use it. If I had a 300 or 400 on the camera I think I would use it almost exclusively but the longer lens I use is just light enough at 6'4" and a big guy I can handle it so use it by exception

Twinbro Loc: North Central Arkansas

Bought the Sigma 150-600 for my Canon 70D in November.. I have not take a lot of photos with it due to winter, but the one I have taken have been great.

btbg

I've had the Sigma 150-600 sport sine last June. I use it for football, soccer, baseball and softball all handheld. It balances well, and can be handheld for a baseball doubleheader provided you have enough light to use it at a high enough shutter speed.

At full zoom that means a shutter speed of 1,000 or faster. Anything less than the focal length of the lens handheld risks showing motion blur from not holding the lens steady enough. In poorer light I put it on a monopod, although I prefer handheld.

Not as good as primes, but lighter than a 600 f4 and a lot easier on the pocket book.

Good lens as long as you understand what you are getting. All lenses are compromises between weight and sharpness. The sigma sport is on the heavier end of lenses, and as a result some won't want to use it. Get it if the weight isn't going to be a problem for you. Buy something else if weight is an issue.

I've let several people use my D5 with the lens to take a photo or two to see what they think. Most go away thinking it is too heavy and they aren't interested. For everyone else, it's a great lens for the price.

JacktheMassey Loc: South Central Wi

Excellent, I'm hoping for good results.