wolfman

Yes, I'm satisfied with the results. Yes, I do wildlife and birds, in fact some BIF are posted earlier in this thread. I'm not saying all of my shots are hand held, as I do use a monopod and tripod-gimbal head combo, especially when shooting Herons and Cormorants. I shoot with a D810, and yes I do have success @600mm.

Bobnewnan

Ha, here's a bird in flight, Tamron 150-600mm, on a d500. @600mm, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 2500

Paulie Loc: NW IL

Monopod, tripod and Gimbal head, walls, trees, cars, my truck's hood etc. yes, I use it all depending on situation :-)
Good advice and tips how to get better results is always appreciated.
I was under the impression that we were talking about whether Sigma is a lens worth spending money for. After enjoying it for a year I think it is. :-)

If I was taking this pic again I would do some things differently like ISO for example, maybe slower shutter, also it's heavily cropped. It's a learning process, but I think this serves as an example of handheld use of Sigma 150-600.
I'm ready for critique ( i think :-D )

(Download)

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

You didn't store the original to be able to see how sharp the photo is (or is not).

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

Nice, clear atmosphere and as sharp as my Tammie. So what was with the comment about a 1 in 500 keeper rate. I'm sure that was more confusing to the OP than it was to me. He/she is asking for recommendations for the Sigma 100(150)-600 and I posed an alternative; the Tammie.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Sigma does not have a 100-600, the closest one is a 150-600 and yes, they are decent lenses! They would be awefully slow though, to use for sports!

Clapperboard

russelray Yes, me too. I had two Sigma Sport 150/600 and had to return them as they failed. The first did not auto focus straight out of the box. The second was the dealers rental lens they loaned me while I waited for a replacement. Second time I used it the zoom mechanism seized. It was only three weeks old. I got a refund. Two days later I bought the Tamron G2 150/600. It's a superb lens. I consider I had a lucky escape. The Sigma Sport is so heavy. The Tamron specification says the VC (image steady) is equivalent to 4 1/2 stops. I was not convinced before I used the lens, but I am now. There are other advantages on the Tamron. I have retired my Canon 100/400 lens as the Tamron is now my go to lens for longer reach than my 200mm.

Paulie Loc: NW IL

It was a reaction to one of the previous comments questioning ability to shoot anything at 600mm. Maybe I used wrong example or did not express my thought clearly when saying that such thing as "keeper rate" does not mean much to me in this digital age as long as I get that ONE perfect image I was hoping for. Flying birds would probably be an exception. I understand that frames per second and speed of autofocus would also limit how many good shots one can make. I love this lens, it does everything I expect it to do and the price was right so I'm happy. :-)

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Hi - - Jerry - - This all seems related to the original Tammy - - what about the G2 ?

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I think your Sigma experience was unusual I have had nothing but success with mine using it on my Nikon cameras (D800, D810, D610, D2X, D7200, D500, D4 and now the D850).

Clapperboard

Brucej67 Yes, I think it was unusual. But I was worried I might have problems with the lens during the warranty and then what have I after the warranty finishes. Before the purchase I was aware the lens was heavy but I was shocked by the weight when I was actually using it. The G2 Tamron has extra facilities and is so much lighter. I was pleased by the results during the little use I got from the Sigma Sport, but I am even more pleased with the results from the Tamron. Also I can use it hand held all day without being in pain the following day. I didn't buy the original Tamron, nor the Sigma Contemporary as I considered them both not sharp enough and too slow to focus. I'm not saying the Sigma is a bad lens, though I had two that definitely made me loose faith in the brand to some degree. I am just so pleased with the G2 Tamron.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Congratulations !

Ahh, so you are on full frame .......makes a considerable difference vs 600mm crop frame ! ( what I was using)

The ONLY time I hand held @600mm f5.6 is when I was desperate for getting the shot at all costs - even at a low low keeper rate ! - like a diving Osprey for fish - in which case I only hand held for about 2 minutes tops - then I put the lens/camera back down ( on the ground). High frame rates (FPS) will also help you in this regard ( keeper rate).

So, I still stand by my recommendation that you should avoid hand holding a 6 1/2 lb.lens and 2 1/2 lb. camera - trying - to follow birds in flight @600mm -OR - even shooting a static subject for that matter ! But if you are a masochist with a full frame camera I say more power to ya.

My simple point is -IF- your preference is for hand holding - for any reason - then the Sigma S is not your optimum option and not your friend - especially if you have any physical strength problems.

IMO, Being able to properly manage your lens/camera just to GET the shot - trumps any SLIGHT optical IQ advantage the the Sigma S lens MAY hold for you ......

Bill_de Loc: US

If you reply to a post, even your own, you get the option to add a photo.

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Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

I recently purchased a Nikon 80-400 (older model) on this forum, because my 70-300 Tammy wasn’t giving me the reach I needed to capture birds to my satisfaction. I, too, went over the edge this afternoon and picked up the Tamron G2. I cannot wait to go shooting in the morning. I can’t add anything to this conversation about it’s performance versus the other variants, but I can say I was shocked that it didn’t seem to weigh more than the 80-400 Nikon. That said, if anyone is interested in the Nikon, I will sell it here for exactly what I paid. (You can search the forum for the original post.) BTW: there was a promotional and I got a beautiful gimbal head priced at $250 for $50, because I purchased the lens! I’m a happy camper!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Not slow at all. Unless you are shooting sports at night. My Sigma Sport does have pretty snappy AF, much faster than I expected. I've captured a dozen or so shots of dragonflies in flight - no athlete can move around and change direction as fast as a dragonfly, unless he is in a AA Fuel Dragster.