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Post by Eric Patdu on Oct 23, 2009 21:58:24 GMT
I checked your link Sir Bobby and it seems that the new version of 150-500mm is promising. I know hands down that any lens in your hand will surely produce superb photos but I still am looking forward to how you do magic with the new Sigma.  |
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Oct 24, 2009 23:15:17 GMT
Well, I got my copy last Friday and had the chance to take it out into the field on Saturday. Here are four samples (cropped for composition):     Other photos may be viewed here : www.flickr.com/photos/val6425/They were taken with the Sigma 150-500 and PP'd using my usual work-flow. All shot in RAW on a 5D MK2 with IS "OFF" using a tri-pod. The lens is still too heavy for me to handhold properly, but the Optical Stabilizer does work well when used with a bean bag. Photo 1 (Sandpiper) was taken using IS "ON" with a bean bag and leaning on the car window. The rest were on a tri-pod. The EXIF are NOT there - I forgot to embed them when I saved them for Web. The sweet spot of the lens is from f/8 - f/11 when at full zoom, but from 150-300, f/5.6 (6.3) is very usable and sharp. The contrast is very nice, and CA is far better(almost zero) than the Bigma. It is also lighter than the Bigma, but still heavy for me. When used in good lighting, one can expect sharp and faithful color rendition. Bokeh is also very nice. At 500mm f/8-f/11 in RAW, one will need to boost sharpening, but in-camera JPEGS with sharpening applied are quite acceptable. Light fall-off at the corners can be seen on my 5D MK2, but was absent on the 50D. My humble Opinion: This lens is truly value for money with the amount I paid for it (Php 45,500). The downside is that you need a good amount of light for it to be effective and it is still a bit on the heavy side for my use. It does focus manually very well without needing to switch off the lens' AF. Great for Live-view focusing! For an amateur looking to reach the 500mm regions, this tele is a good and reasonable investment. I will keep it till I find a much lighter replacement, but till then, I will happily bring it along during my trips. Note: All shots were taken with Auto ISO "ON" and the ISO ranged from 800 to 1600 in most shots. |
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Post by alainpascua on Oct 25, 2009 6:11:00 GMT
Wow, nice set Bobby! Congrats to your new toy!
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Post by Eric Patdu on Oct 25, 2009 23:44:00 GMT
Nice set Sir Bobby. Might consider buying that lens if my "Dept of Budget Head" approves of it. Hehehe... |
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Oct 26, 2009 3:38:24 GMT
Thanks guys - it's always a pleasure to share knowledge with people like you. I did some more tests this morning of the lens in bright morning light, and it is actually even better when used in Live View and mirror up. If you can handle the weight, this is a good choice over the Bigma. :-)
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Post by gabriel buluran on Nov 3, 2009 4:03:24 GMT
Anybody has experience on the Bigma coupled with a 2X kenko TC? Would it AF? How is the IQ?
Thanks in advance.
Gabs
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Post by Bobby Kintanar on Nov 3, 2009 4:19:05 GMT
I tried it before - not so good, but if used properly it can come up with some acceptable shots :-)
Ka Mastah Romy has some samples at the beginning of this thread. :-)
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Post by gabriel buluran on Nov 3, 2009 5:10:51 GMT
thanks bobby! from ka mastah's post, i guess i'd have to master MF if i were to use a 2x TC.
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Post by Edu Lorenzo Jr on Nov 3, 2009 5:32:04 GMT
hi gabs! It won't AF. you should have mentioned this to me when we were birding. I had my 2X with me. well.. I always do. haha!
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Post by Ronnie Dominguez on Nov 4, 2009 14:09:19 GMT
Add me to the waiting list of your sample photos and your own lens review as this is the zoom I am looking at for future acquisition--- after the body heheheheeh.
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