It's a great lens, with some reservations, but I can highly recommend it for outdoor use in plenty of light. At the longer focal lengths, you really should use a tripod if at all possible (but that's true of any really long focal length lens.)
P.S. Don't actually include the quotes around the "site" in the above searches.
I just got mine last month and absolutely love it. The autofocus is a bit slow and it takes some practice to find the sweet spot but the lens is amazingly sharp considering its range. The boat shots in the following gallery were all done with this lens mounted on a D300 and a monopod (definitely required since the lens is massive).
It's a great lens, with some reservations, but I can highly recommend it for outdoor use in plenty of light. At the longer focal lengths, you really should use a tripod if at all possible (but that's true of any really long focal length lens.)
P.S. Don't actually include the quotes around the "site" in the above searches.
Wow Ziggy I appreciate that it is helping out a lot. Thanks again
I just got mine last month and absolutely love it. The autofocus is a bit slow and it takes some practice to find the sweet spot but the lens is amazingly sharp considering its range. The boat shots in the following gallery were all done with this lens mounted on a D300 and a monopod (definitely required since the lens is massive).
Nice looking shots Travis....thank you for sharing.
No problem and I appreciate the compliment. I read every review I could because I was considering the newer 150 - 500 mm with VR but everything I read said that the VR on the newer model is not much of a factor and the 50 - 500 mm is much sharper.
No problem and I appreciate the compliment. I read every review I could because I was considering the newer 150 - 500 mm with VR but everything I read said that the VR on the newer model is not much of a factor and the 50 - 500 mm is much sharper.
I went with the Bogen / Manfrotto BO681B234RC 681B Monopod (Black) with 3229 Head. I love the monopod but I plan on upgrading the head eventually. The 3229 isn't designed for that much weight so the tilt slips when carrying it on your shoulder from location to location. Also, it is simply a tilt head. If you want to shoot in portrait position, you have to change the bottom plate orientation but then you loose the ability to angle up and down without physically tilting the whole monopod. I have a pistol grip style ball head on my tripod that I may try using.
I went with the Bogen / Manfrotto BO681B234RC 681B Monopod (Black) with 3229 Head. I love the monopod but I plan on upgrading the head eventually. The 3229 isn't designed for that much weight so the tilt slips when carrying it on your shoulder from location to location. Also, it is simply a tilt head. If you want to shoot in portrait position, you have to change the bottom plate orientation but then you loose the ability to angle up and down without physically tilting the whole monopod. I have a pistol grip style ball head on my tripod that I may try using.
Well I have never touched a tripod or monopod and know nothing about them. The less equipment needed and less to carry the better for me. I will google yours and see if I can figure it out. Thanks......
Any more input? I shoot a lot of macro and have three macro lenses. This Sigma if bought will be used for wildlife, candids and sports. We have the most amazing birds down here but I can't zoom in on them with a 55-200 close enough. I am in the Okefenokee National Refuge. To do or not to do? That is the question I ask of you?
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http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+%2Bsite%3Awww.dgrin.com+%2Bbigma&btnG=Search
Here are the results for Google and the terms: +"site:www.dgrin.com" +sigma +"50-500"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=+%2Bsite%3Awww.dgrin.com+%2Bsigma+%2B%2250-500%22&btnG=Search
It's a great lens, with some reservations, but I can highly recommend it for outdoor use in plenty of light. At the longer focal lengths, you really should use a tripod if at all possible (but that's true of any really long focal length lens.)
P.S. Don't actually include the quotes around the "site" in the above searches.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
http://owney.smugmug.com/gallery/5664891_s7PPF#348743875_6VahW
I don't think that you would be disappointed for the price.
My Images | My Lessons Learned and Other Adventures
Wow Ziggy I appreciate that it is helping out a lot. Thanks again
Nice looking shots Travis....thank you for sharing.
No problem and I appreciate the compliment. I read every review I could because I was considering the newer 150 - 500 mm with VR but everything I read said that the VR on the newer model is not much of a factor and the 50 - 500 mm is much sharper.
My Images | My Lessons Learned and Other Adventures
What about a monopod suggestion for this baby?
I went with the Bogen / Manfrotto BO681B234RC 681B Monopod (Black) with 3229 Head. I love the monopod but I plan on upgrading the head eventually. The 3229 isn't designed for that much weight so the tilt slips when carrying it on your shoulder from location to location. Also, it is simply a tilt head. If you want to shoot in portrait position, you have to change the bottom plate orientation but then you loose the ability to angle up and down without physically tilting the whole monopod. I have a pistol grip style ball head on my tripod that I may try using.
My Images | My Lessons Learned and Other Adventures
Well I have never touched a tripod or monopod and know nothing about them. The less equipment needed and less to carry the better for me. I will google yours and see if I can figure it out. Thanks......