Bigma

DanielB · January 7, 2006

okay... here it goes. i am going to Yellowstone this year for vacation. i'm also going to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. **near Black Mesa, and Clayton Lake National Parks**

i will without a doubt encounter Bears and all forms of wildlife. it will be a 90 mile trek. my question is. Is the Bigma worth it? for the 50-500 range it would sure be useful. also, some of the wildlife can be way far away, i also enjoy shooting some BIF. sooo, i realize i need a monopod or tripod for the bigma. i have that. but, is it even remotely hand-holdable?:dunno

i know i want the reach. i'm just debating when i should take the plunge and buy it.:scratch

i'm also planning on getting a 17-40, so i'll have a 17-40, 50mm 1.8, Bigma. that would cover it all pretty much.

is it worth it?

thanks all,
Daniel

leebase · January 7, 2006

If there's enough light, you can set a fast enough shutter. I've shot my 70-200 with 2x converter hand held.....it's doable. You do get kind of "tele-scopeish" if you know what I mean.....trying to track with a long lens can be difficult.

Sounds like you have a fun trip ahead of you.

Lee

GraphyFotoz · January 7, 2006

Don't forget....
Tokina makes a EF mount 80-400mm.
Not sure of the speed off hand but it might be a tad faster?

Might be worth researching?

cmason · January 7, 2006

Just remember, you have to carry all that stuff for 90 miles plus.

why not go with more moderate lens, say 75-300 or 70-200, and get an extender?

Andy · January 7, 2006

Check with Steve Cavigliano, he's selling his I'm sure

Awesome on Philmont!

DanielB · January 7, 2006

Andy wrote:

Awesome on Philmont!

ever been there?
or did you just do one of your GOogle Map searches?

Andy · January 7, 2006

DanielB wrote:

ever been there?
or did you just do one of your GOogle Map searches?

Once an Eagle....

DanielB · January 8, 2006

Andy wrote:

Once an Eagle....

congrats. i'm only about 6 months away from mine... you ever taken you're camera there? or was this before ya got into photography.

Andy · January 8, 2006

DanielB wrote:

congrats. i'm only about 6 months away from mine... you ever taken you're camera there? or was this before ya got into photography.

I'm an ooooold man, Daniel.

BigAl · January 8, 2006

I'm not sure what you mean by "trek" (it's a South African word meaning move), but if you're hiking, I'd say you need a pack donkey to carry the bigma - it's definitely not a hiking lens, epsecially for 90 miles. You will also need at least a monopod to keep it steady (more weight) - there are folks who take pretty decent pics handheld, but they are the exception. If you're backpacking, you will also be tired from walking, making it even more difficult to keep a big lens steady (been there, done that

)

I carried mine in the hand for about 4km and I felt the muscle aches for the next few days. I would also not hang it around my neck - I wouldn't trust the next strap (or my neck

).

Cmason has a point, you may want to look at the new Canon 70-300 rather than 400+ glass.

GraphyFotoz · January 8, 2006

Andy wrote:

I'm an ooooold man, Daniel.

Yeah Daniel MIGHT even be older than me!!

I'll be 41 Feb 22nd.

As far as Photography experiance Andy hasta be at least 80 I'm sure!:giggle

jdfaith · January 9, 2006

Just ordered my Bigma (and Sigma's 10-20mm for the other side of the spectrum) and look forward to receiving them later this week.

DanielB · January 9, 2006

jdfaith wrote:

Just ordered my Bigma (and Sigma's 10-20mm for the other side of the spectrum) and look forward to receiving them later this week.

be sure to tell me your opinion. and i would love to see some sample shots

jdfaith · January 10, 2006

Surely. Just checked tracking and they should be here on Friday. Here's hoping we have nice weather for this long weekend.

arroyoshark · January 11, 2006

I live in the "Land of Enshantment" and I am also an ooooold Eagle Scout. Hiked through Philmont as a kid and took my own son there as a scout. I have also hunted elk outside of Philmont in the North Ponil Drainage. It's definitely beautiful country.

We have had several years of extremely dry summers...a drought, in fact. Was exploring a burn area on Philmont, nearer to Cimarron, couple of summers ago. Spent some time watching a scraggly bear at very close range. That is going to be your most likely encounter.

Me, I think I would take wider angle lenses for the panoramic views, a normal lens for landscape, etc. and a lesser telephoto. Coming from lower elevations, you will tire of packing so much heavy photo equipment over the mountains. In fact, something like an 18-200 might do it all for you.

just my dos centavos.

Poindexter · January 11, 2006

Subscribing for Bigma info.

<-----interested in extending my focal range, and really like the Sigma 70-200.

DoctorIt · January 11, 2006

I think I'm making Daniel my protege. He's more indecisive than I am!!!

Bigma is a great piece of kit for the money, especially on a road trip or something where you be in the big parks. And you know how I feel about the longer Sigmas (matter of fact, I have a 70-200 on the way

). But the previous comments are right, ain't no way you'll be hiking with that much gear. Unless you have a sherpa of course.

Lee Massey · January 11, 2006

DanielB wrote:

Is the Bigma worth it? for the 50-500 range it would sure be useful. also, some of the wildlife can be way far away, i also enjoy shooting some BIF. sooo, i realize i need a monopod or tripod for the bigma. i have that. but, is it even remotely hand-holdable?

Hey Daniel... Another option that you could consider would be the Sigma 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS (Optical Stabilizer) APO IF Tele Zoom Lens with Hood for Canon EOS.

I see that it is back-ordered at B&H and Adorama so it might be hard to get. The reach is a little less than the Bigma but the OS would definately make it easier to handhold. Something to consider?

Best of luck...

Thanks,

Lee

DanielB · January 11, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

I think I'm making Daniel my protege. He's more indecisive than I am!!!

Bigma is a great piece of kit for the money, especially on a road trip or something where you be in the big parks. And you know how I feel about the longer Sigmas (matter of fact, I have a 70-200 on the way ). But the previous comments are right, ain't no way you'll be hiking with that much gear. Unless you have a sherpa of course.

i'll admit. i am not sooo set in my ways about what lenses i will be getting.... lol. but i know for sure within the year i'll be picking up the 70-200 f/4L and the 17-40L

DoctorIt · January 11, 2006

DanielB wrote:

i'll admit. i am not sooo set in my ways about what lenses i will be getting.... lol. but i know for sure within the year i'll be picking up the 70-200 f/4L and the 17-40L

so you want a cheap portable telephoto lens?

here's some homework: do some research on 500mm (or so) mirror lenses, there's a few brands out there. I'll want a report with some links.

go.

DanielB · January 11, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

so you want a cheap portable telephoto lens?

here's some homework: do some research on 500mm (or so) mirror lenses, there's a few brands out there. I'll want a report with some links.

go.

one at my local camera shop

i'll do a full report:D

DoctorIt · January 11, 2006

DanielB wrote:

one at my local camera shop i'll do a full report:D

excellent, by the way, I like my apples red and on the left side of my desk.

as you were.

DanielB · January 11, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

excellent, by the way, I like my apples red and on the left side of my desk.

as you were.

yes master.

Bigma

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