Sigma 150-500

[Amanda Reed]

I'm looking to buy a longer and faster lens. I'm using the Nikon 80-400 and want more length and a faster focus. I can't afford the Nikon 200-400 or 500 so I'm considering the Sigma 150-500 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO AF. Is this lens a good choice or should I keep putting money in my piggy bank and hold out for the Nikon lens? Thoughts?

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Amanda,

I would consider the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 with converters before the 150-500. Have you thought about that?

[Amanda Reed]

Will AF still work with converters? Birds in motion and flight are what I'm struggling to capture with the 80-400's slow AF.

[Harold Davis]

i understand the new sigma tc's are awesome and you lose hardly no AF speed at all. i think blake might be able to weigh in on this.

yo!! overlord!!! you out there!!?

[Sid Overbey]

Amanda, I would continue saving if you are looking for sharp image quality at the far end. I have the Sigma 150-500 HSM OS and find that it gets soft quickly above 400MM. I actually get sharper shots and quicker AF with a Nikkor 300/4 with a 1.7TC. Oscar Z has one as well and maybe he can weigh in also.

[Amanda Reed]

Thanks for the info... sounds like the 150-500 is a bad choice. I'll be interested to hear what Blake and Oscar think... and of course others who have ideas about how to get more lens in a price range that is manageable.

[Harold Davis]

oscar sent his back within the two weeks. he opted for the sigma 300 f/2.8, but it's $2000 more than the 150-500. anything will be limiting for less than the $3000 mark!!

[Robert O'Toole]

I'm looking to buy a longer and faster lens. I'm using the Nikon 80-400 and want more length and a faster focus. I can't afford the Nikon 200-400 or 500 so I'm considering the Sigma 150-500 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO AF. Is this lens a good choice or should I keep putting money in my piggy bank and hold out for the Nikon lens? Thoughts?

Hello Amanda,

Not sure what time frame you are looking at for buying your new lens but I will be using my 200-400 VR and 500 Vr at Bosque in November and Sigma 150-500 and 300-800 for some time the same month. I can let you know what I find.

Robert

[Amanda Reed]

Thanks to all of you for the information. I'm not rushing out to make my purchase so I'll certainly be interested to hear about Robert's experience in Nov.

It would seem that the bottom line is "you get what you pay for" darn-it how can that old cliche still be true :-)

[Robert O'Toole]

Amanda, better make a note to PM or email me to remind me to get back to this thread when I am in Bosque :)


Robert