Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sport

Bipolar Kittens · 29 Jun 2015 at 19:06

I'm looking for a meaty lens to use with my Nikon D5200 particularly for airshows. I'm quite the amateur and as such have never spent more than £300 on a lens before so this is a real step up for me. The reviews seem pretty good but i'm looking for some real world experience before I splash out.

So, does anyone have one and is it as good as it sounds?

Phal · 29 Jun 2015 at 19:38

Well you may also want to consider the Contemporary version of the Sigma 150-600mm and the Tamron 150-600mm. These are also pretty good so it just depends on what you think of the image quality different and the few other differences.

Bipolar Kittens · 29 Jun 2015 at 21:00

I read the Contemporary was not so good at focusing on fast moving objects and the last Tamron I bought, albeit a cheapish one, is absolutely awful hence dismissing those. This is a lot of money to spend on a lens so I want to make sure I'm getting the right one, I also need it before the 19th, so i'd appreciate peoples experiences of any of the lens lenses mentioned thus far

Phal · 29 Jun 2015 at 21:10

Tbh if you want to have 0 doubts with focusing then I'd stick to Canon and go with the new 100-400mm Mk2.

That being said, the Tamron and the Sigma C versions don't seem to get any bad press from what I can see but I can't say I've read up on them too much since I've got the ultimate zoom :/

I don't think there's many people here that have the lenses you're on about or at least I haven't seen anyone talking about them (someone might prove me wrong)

Here's a few threads from the TP forums discussing the lenses in question

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-sports-owners-thread.577088/

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/sigma-150-600mm-contemporary.583964/

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-if-vc-usd.521510/

Little discussion about your choices

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...non-100-400-mk2-or-other.592480/#post-6913644

JBuk · 29 Jun 2015 at 22:36

I have the sigma 150-600 C and have no issues with focussing speed

Phal · 29 Jun 2015 at 23:14

Yeah I'm not sure I'd worry about focusing speed for airshows. Technically the planes fly quite fast but I don't think there's any modern AF lens that would have trouble tracking a jet at an airshow?

Birds and Wildlife yes... Planes not so much imo

Bipolar Kittens · 29 Jun 2015 at 23:29

I've been doing a lot more reading on the C and I am leaning towards it, it's a decent chunk lighter and almost half the price. I could be sold. How does a D5200 stand up these days, I bought it a few years ago, is it worth upgrading?

Phal · 30 Jun 2015 at 07:01

Well there's pretty much always a better body available out there but it depends what you plan on upgrading to.

Someone else will be able to guide you better on Nikon bodies I guess!

2StepSteve · 30 Jun 2015 at 09:58

Bipolar Kittens said:
I've been doing a lot more reading on the C and I am leaning towards it, it's a decent chunk lighter and almost half the price. I could be sold. How does a D5200 stand up these days, I bought it a few years ago, is it worth upgrading?

After desiring my reach than my 70-300L can offer, yesterday I ordered the C for £670.

I briefly considered the S model but I couldn't warrant the extra cost, its offerings over the C are minimal for my needs and the extra weight will become annoying.

Thaifood · 30 Jun 2015 at 10:33

Where did you get the c model for that price?

2StepSteve · 30 Jun 2015 at 11:06

The good old grey market. Ebay, t-dimension-us.

D.P. · 30 Jun 2015 at 15:46

Phal said:
Tbh if you want to have 0 doubts with focusing then I'd stick to Canon and go with the new 100-400mm Mk2.

That being said, the Tamron and the Sigma C versions don't seem to get any bad press from what I can see but I can't say I've read up on them too much since I've got the ultimate zoom :/

I don't think there's many people here that have the lenses you're on about or at least I haven't seen anyone talking about them (someone might prove me wrong)

Here's a few threads from the TP forums discussing the lenses in question

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...-5-6-3-dg-os-hsm-sports-owners-thread.577088/

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/sigma-150-600mm-contemporary.583964/

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-if-vc-usd.521510/

Little discussion about your choices

https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...non-100-400-mk2-or-other.592480/#post-6913644

the Tamron 150-600mm really doesn't stand up against the Sigma Sports lens under professional use though.
http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html

A lot of amateurs bought the Tamron and think it focuses well enough for their use, which is all well and good but there are big differences. the Sigma Sports compares much m=more closely to the Canon and nikon exotic tele primes, the tamron compares to cheaper zoom lenses. I think my Nikon 70-300mm is good enough for amateur use and I am sure the Tamron 150-600mm is similar, but the sigma sports is a big step ahead.

I haven't seen many reports of the Sigma C except the IQ is noticeably worse than the Sport at 600mm wide open but similar everywhere else. Don't know how focus is but I imagine it is similar to the Tamron.

Phal · 30 Jun 2015 at 17:21

I've only used two different Sigma lenses but I can't say focusing was the strong point on either of them!

I never had much faith in the 120-300mm sport focus but then again I didn't have it for long either. I love my 18-35mm lens but focusing still seems a bit random sometimes! This is why I said if you want to have 0 doubts on focusing then you're better off sticking to Canon.

As for image quality, I can't really speak on this since I haven't tried any of those 150-600mm lenses

Bipolar Kittens · 30 Jun 2015 at 18:42

Canon isn't an option as I've accumulated a decent amount of Nikon gear so it would mean starting from scratch at great cost, which I'm not prepared to do right now.

Anyway, I've decided on the Contempory, I've found it for £700 online which is £500 less than I can find the Sport for.

Phal · 30 Jun 2015 at 19:54

Bipolar Kittens said:
Canon isn't an option as I've accumulated a decent amount of Nikon gear so it would mean starting from scratch at great cost, which I'm not prepared to do right now.

Anyway, I've decided on the Contempory, I've found it for £700 online which is £500 less than I can find the Sport for.

Sorry, ignore the Canon comment

I think I'm getting my posts mixed up lol

Maybe worth checking it out at a store first? Returning things like this ads a fair chunk to the price due to weight/insurance lol

Bipolar Kittens · 30 Jun 2015 at 20:59

I'm one step ahead of you, I've already called my local store to no avail.

However, it's a done deal now, I changed my mind at the last minute and ordered the Sport.

Phal · 30 Jun 2015 at 21:02

lol

well at least you know you're buying the best you can afford! No second thoughts later

JBuk · 2 Jul 2015 at 12:35

Might be an idea to upgrade your body to a d7200 or d750 with better focussing

Bipolar Kittens · 2 Jul 2015 at 12:57

Thanks, that might have been an option had I bought the cheaper lens, but as I didn't the body will have to wait

crinkleshoes · 2 Jul 2015 at 21:11

D.P. said:
the Tamron 150-600mm really doesn't stand up against the Sigma Sports lens under professional use though.
http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html

A lot of amateurs bought the Tamron and think it focuses well enough for their use, which is all well and good but there are big differences. the Sigma Sports compares much m=more closely to the Canon and nikon exotic tele primes, the tamron compares to cheaper zoom lenses. I think my Nikon 70-300mm is good enough for amateur use and I am sure the Tamron 150-600mm is similar, but the sigma sports is a big step ahead.

I haven't seen many reports of the Sigma C except the IQ is noticeably worse than the Sport at 600mm wide open but similar everywhere else. Don't know how focus is but I imagine it is similar to the Tamron.

Similar to what I read.

The Sigma C competes with the Tamron... the Sigma Sport competes with the Canon.

The Canon just edges the S S out in ultimate image quality and portability... however the Sigma has the extra 200mm reach... which is pretty decent at 600mm.

The Sigma C past 400mm starts to degrade and focusing speed is supposed to be slower than the sport, closer to the Tamron.

I'm quite happy with the Sport... the IQ is decent... but it has me thinking about the Canon 100-400

Phal said:
I've only used two different Sigma lenses but I can't say focusing was the strong point on either of them!

I never had much faith in the 120-300mm sport focus but then again I didn't have it for long either. I love my 18-35mm lens but focusing still seems a bit random sometimes! This is why I said if you want to have 0 doubts on focusing then you're better off sticking to Canon.

As for image quality, I can't really speak on this since I haven't tried any of those 150-600mm lenses

The newer (Art+) are rather quick... almost up to the speed of decent Canon glass.

Bipolar Kittens said:
I'm one step ahead of you, I've already called my local store to no avail.

However, it's a done deal now, I changed my mind at the last minute and ordered the Sport.

Enjoy