Nikon fit, 500mm lens advice?

mrmac

I'm looking to take some architectural shots, of some detailed stonework, and considering a zoom with 500mm at the long end. I'm already happily covered right up to 200mm. I don't need anything too fast, or with any type of image stabilisation. I shall be using a Nikon D300.

As I only really have this one use for this type of range, I'm not looking to spend a great deal of money, €500ish, and always willing to consider a s/h lense. I see there are loads of different models, Tamron 200-500, Sigma 50-500, Sigma 120-500, Sigma 150-500 - but I know bugger all about any of these!

I'd be very interested to hear from anyone using this range, and perhaps even some samples?

TIA

Borderfox

I have owned and used the Sigma 50-500mm and its a great lens, if you have a rock solid tripod you should have no problems with a small aperture and get a good shot. I dont know anything about the Tamron but the other 2 Sigmas are not EX lenses so I would assume the image quality wouldnt be as good as the 50-500


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/478164133_1f3ed3eb08.jpg

You should be able to see a larger version on flickr

mrmac

There does seem to be good reports about the Bigma alright. Even though the 150-500 is not an EX lense, it does have OS which the Bigma does not. Maybe a better feature, especially at 500mm? Hard to know.

It seems that anyone with a 50-500, or a 150-500, are equally delighted with the results.

Apparently there is a new 50-500 coming out, including OS, which may herald the end of the 150-500???

Kbeg3

I have the 150-500mm and find it good to use:)

bernard0368

I have the 150-500 and i love it great lens the os will allow you to hand shoot at 250. However it does need a sturdy tripod.


This was taken at 500 handheld

Nforce

There's also a Sigma 170-500mm iirc.

mrmac

I've been checking up on some, EU prices, this morning:

Sigma 150-500 f5-6.3 = £683.81 @ pixmania

Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 Non OS = £943.81 @ pixmania

Sigma 50-500 f5-6.3 OS ver. due end of April = £1400 @ everywhere.

Sigma 170-500 f5-6.3 - not really interested in this, as it's out performed by the 150-500.

Borderfox

Is the project long term, if its short might be better off renting or borrowing?

Nforce

I've been looking at the Bigma myself recently too (older non OS version). Only thing that is putting me off is that it appears very soft at the 500mm end? Can any Bigma users confirm this?
Another option would be to pick up a used Nikon 300mm f4 and use a TC?

mrmac

Short term, perhaps, sort of depends on results

I'm up in Letterkenny, with not too many rental options. I'd be happy to buy a decent used model, if the money was right. ATM, I'm slightly swaying towards the 50-500, as I never really use OS/IS/VR anyway, but then again, I've never shot at 500mm before.

The S/H market price should fall some more, once the new OS model comes out in a few weeks.

Nforce wrote: »

Only thing that is putting me off is that it appears very soft at the 500mm end? Can any Bigma users confirm this?

Haven't heard much about that, thanks for bringing that up. Is that at it widest, f6.3, aperature? Does it improve once you stop it down?

Nforce wrote: »

Another option would be to pick up a used Nikon 300mm f4 and use a TC?

Considered this as well, but think I'd prefer the zoom option.

Borderfox

I shot a lot of Polo with it and the shots went into an international Polo Magazine at 300dpi. Mostly shot wide open too at the long end, I ended up selling it and getting the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 EX but it still would hold up well.

You can click on this shot for a larger size, looks better in print as this has been reduced

mrmac

^^^ Nothing wrong with that shot Borderfox!

Was that taken at 500mm/f6.3? The subject matter I'll be shooting doesn't move, but does contain some fine details, so considering my budget, the Bigma seems ideal. I'd still appreciate any samples with the 150-500 @ 500mm, as I'm still wondering about the benefits of OS at that range.

BTW - I have the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX, and take it everywhere with me, a great lense, so I'm quite happy to get another Sigma lense.

Borderfox

Definitely at the 500mm end and more than likely f6.3. Make sure you have a rock solid tripod as it extends quite a bit.

Heres a shot of the moon with a 1.4x tc on a Canon 350d, dont mind the colouration. Click on the link to see the larger version, f11 1/50th. Probably could do with a bit more sharpening

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/474996950_04ff888d0e_b.jpg

mrmac

^^^ That looks grand. Any chance of a tighter crop?

Here's a moon shot I took using the 70-200, coupled with a borrowed TelePlus TC 2X MC7. Had to manually focus, as it just didn't hit the right spot - quite happy with the result, as there's not a drop of PP put on this.

mrmac

Suppose there's no harm in asking, but is there anyone in Donegal with a Sigma 50 or 150 - 500, that'd allowed me to take some test shots??

Nforce

Did you purchase yet? I'd be interested in your findings. I saw a used Sigma 150-500mm OS sell for £560 online recently and was disappointed that I didn't make an offer .

mrmac

No, didn't buy anthing yet.
Waiting until the new Bigma starts to circulate, and hoping the price of the non OS version comes down another bit.
Also heading to the US in June, so I might end up buying out there.

alexlyons

sorry, excuse the ignorance

Bigma? Sigma?

kdobey

alexlyons wrote: »

sorry, excuse the ignorance

Bigma? Sigma?

Me to! first hit on google reveals
http://www.lonestardigital.com/Sigma_50-500.htm
Bigma = the sigma 50-500.
Nice sample shots on that page too

mrmac

alexlyons wrote: »

sorry, excuse the ignorance

Bigma? Sigma?

Bigma is just a term used for the Sigma 50-500, 'cos it's Big!
I only found that out when someone else referred to it by that name, and it does help when searching for it on Google.