New Bigma on D700

monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

I bought my Sigma 50-500mm OS APO DG HSM while in HK this week, since moving to FX I'd been missing the reach for sports and wildlife.

It's wet here today, so far just a few shots messing around in the HK hotel room and backyard yesterday. It's about $500-600 more than old Bigma, for me I'm taking a chance on the improved optics (less 'Sigma' colour tinting, slightly improved @500mm etc) while the OS, closer focussing and AF speed were improvements cited in early reports.

Without an updated Nikkor 80-400 VRII and leaving behind the inflexible, but well regarded af-s 300mm + TC (both of which I've owned) I've outlaid a fair bit of cash on so-called "2nd tier" brand. Very happy with colour, contrast and bokeh, af speed.

Despite some other reports, I find the OS very effective, seemingly offering the 4-stop advantage claimed by Sigma.

Sharpness @500mm I think depends more on my lack of technique and will require much more practice - so I should reserve judgment.

NB: all samples are JPG fine straight from D700 using picture control Standard (sharpness 3, saturation & hue 0). The 100% were cropped in CS4 and resaved JPG Qual 8. Shootig NEF and process in NX2 would be result in optimum results esp avoiding re-jpging the 100%...but this at least represents quick & dirty results. More thorough testing when the weather improves!

First snap trying OS:

f8 1/60s @500mm
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/50-500-OS.jpg

100% crop:

f6.3 1/8s @500mm
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/OS1.jpg

100% crop:

Tripod mount f9.5 1/350s @500mm

100% crop:

Mark
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heartyfisher · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:00 am Post subject:

Outrageously good! ..
I think I have found my long lens.. time to save the pennies ...

Thanks for posting.. Would like to see more..
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monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

ok first day out in the field at and very happy, haven't got time to reprocess all for this forum size limits, so I'll just repost my dpreview post: these have PP in NX2.

50-500 OS samples all @ 500mm I shot today. I was perhaps a little less impressed with the HSM AF than previously...BIF will always be a challenge.

Sulphur-crested cockatoo f6.3 1/4000 ISO 1600
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/cockee.jpg

Magpie goose f6.3 1/6000 ISO 1600
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/goose.jpg

Mr Percival f6.3 1/500 ISO 400
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/pelican.jpg

f6.3 1/750 ISO 400
http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/pelican1.jpg

I also did a comparison @ 200mm with my Nikon AF-D 80-200 ED 2-ring, although it has lost some of its lustre on FX I love this lens for shooting car/bikes. However it will be up for sale as the 50-500 betters it in my opinion.

Can you pick which one is which (lossles PNG)?

http://users.tpg.com.au/mark350/bigma/80-200vs50-500.png
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heartyfisher · Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:11 pm Post subject:

dont know which is which but I like the left one better. The bokeh is nicer. but the right one is a bit more contrasty and the colours seem better/
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Moments of Light : D70 s5pro 18-200vr 12-24 18-70 C&C very welcome!
Being a photographer is a lot like being a Christian: Some people look at you funny but do not see the amazing beauty all around them - heartyfisher.

monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

Finally lugged the BigmaOS to the track for some panning shots, pretty happy with the sharpness which of course largely relies on panning ability. All @290mm. So far I find it sharper than my previous combo of 300 f/4 + tc1.4.

f/13 1/250

f/11 1/180

f/9.5 1/500

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matt · Reporter Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 1118 Location: Biloela

Did you consider the 150-500 at all??

MATT

monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

no - I hadn't read much favourable about it, reports were the old Bigma was sharper at the long end, and I was never too impressed with the Bigma @500mm from what people were posting.

So when this new one was announced, I was tossing up between a 300 AFS f/4 + TC 1.4 (again!) or 1.7, I took a bit of punt on the Sigma - I couldn't find much written about it back in April.

The 300 + 1.7 would have been no match, and it's easily on par with the 1.4 at similar focal lengths. Plus I get OS, flexibility and probably similar AF speed. Some say it's 95% performance of the 500 f4 primes for, what - 20% of the cost?

Dial in a B1 or B2 white balance bias to counter the (admittedly much less now) typically Sigma 'warmth' and I'm good to go just about anything with one lens - although I bought it for the long end of course.
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matt · Reporter Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 1118 Location: Biloela

Interesting,

I ask because a friend of mine is off loading her 80-400 Nikon in favor of a 150-500 Sigma..

But these certainly look good.

MATT

monyx · Member Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 118 Location: ACT

The census seems to be that, strange as it seems, the 10x 50-500 Bigma outperforms the 150-500, especially at 500mm - that & the clunky/noisey OS on the latter put me off. Having said I have never tried 150-500.

BigmaOS sharpness in the mid-range ~300mm is outstanding (see PNG comparison against 80-200 above). I was never satisifed with the sharpness/AF of the 80-400. I don't know how much of an 'upgrade' the 150-500 would be - I'd be taking a very close look at the new BigmaOS if I was your friend.
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