Thinking about the Sigma "Bigma" 50-500

largelylivin

My 70-300 zoom isn't long enough for birding. I saw a webpage of bird photos all done with a Sigma 50-500 and they looked very nice. Its a daytime only lens and it weighs a ton.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Is there anything out there worth considering for $1000 new?

Shizam

Why not consider something faster with IS and doesn't dip below 100mm (which impacts image quality) like the 100-400 IS or the Sigma 80-400 OS?

Oh sorry, just saw the '1000 new' part, I'm big on used

rbrugman

Sizam wrote:

Why not consider something faster with IS and doesn't dip below 100mm (which impacts image quality) like the 100-400 IS or the Sigma 80-400 OS?

Oh sorry, just saw the '1000 new' part, I'm big on used

The Sigma 80-400 OS is $999 new at B&H. Get something with Image stabilization if you are going that far out.

BigAl

Sizam wrote:

doesn't dip below 100mm (which impacts image quality)

You've used the Bigma?


Check out the birds in my sig.

Check this gallery in which all the pics were taken with the Bigma:
http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/gallery/1545869#74534455

Check this smugger's birds
http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/2686624#142241762

Check out the lens sticky in Dgrin's Nature forum.

jonh68

I am in the same boat. Fast autofocus is important for me as I like to get action shots. The things I have read about the bigma is it's fast focus, at least compared to the 100-400 with IS, or in my case, the VR with Nikon. I am leaning towards the the bigma at the moment.

squirl033

i've used the Sigma 80-400 for a bit over a year, and am thrilled with it. sure, there are faster lenses, but with the OS, you can shoot that sucker down to 1/250 if you're reasonably steady, or 1/160 if you've got real steady hands. optical quality is superb. the only problem is finding one... the factory has over 6000 on back order, and they're working 24/7 to catch up, but these beauties are scarce as hens' teeth on the market right now.

the Bigma is optically as good, but doesn't have OS, but for you that's not a problem, since your K10D has OS built into the body. i've seen some killer photos taken with it on that camera. yes, it is big and heavy, but it gets results, and that's what it's all about. the only reason i picked the 80-400 was for the OS, because my 30D doesn't have it on-board. if i had a K10D, there'd be a Bigma in my bag.