Just picked up a BIGMA

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Just bought a used Sigma 50-500 EX non-is Bigma lens. No time to shoot yet, but will post some shots soon. Glass was in perfect shape, body is a little worn though. I am psyched, got a 2x converter with it also. Anyone have one of these?

 

[PhotoXopher]

Unfortunately no, but I love the screen name and avatar Just watched the movie again last night.

 

[Darkhunter139]

How much did you get it for? I want one

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

I got mine for $600. Talked the guy down from $680 and had to drive like 40 minutes to meet him. They go for around $700 plus shipping typically on ebay. He claimed that it was in perfect condition, but the exterior had seen better days. Pissed me off a little, but for the past week I had been researching them and really wanted one. I figured I could use it for a year and probably resell it for $500. $100 loss is much cheaper than renting a 500mm prime for even 2 weeks.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Unfortunately no, but I love the screen name and avatar Just watched the movie again last night.

Blueray boxed set comes out in a month. Planning a photo trip to Astoria soon.

 

[Overread36]

Neat! Sadly the sigma finish can tarnish a bit more than canon or nikon through use - though generally the optics remain just as solid and sound!

Be interesting to see how you get on with it - though I'd be prepared not to use the 2*TC that often - I think it might be pushing it a bit too far for most uses - but then again each person has their own needs and demands

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Yeah, I don't plan on using the 2X much. I have used them before and know that they really degrade. I have a kenko pro 1.4x that I will probably use more. The 2X is Sigma and works AF with my Canon 70-200 2.8. He only wanted an extra $100 for it so I figured it will be fun to tinker with. I wanted to compare the Canon with 2X to the bigma also although I was pretty sure the Bigma would win. Although shooting handheld with the 2X when testing to buy, I zoomed in on the camera LCD and was actually surprised. Naturally there is a bit of CA ( I shot something with some high contrast ) but it didn't look too overly soft ( although I am sure they would be better with some support )

The finish doesn't bother me one bit, mainly just because at first I had figured I might resell this in the future so I wanted to retain good value. If anything it will make me baby it less which is nice. My 70-200 gets treated like my first born just because of its cost haha.

 

[Overread36]

Haha I know what you mean about costs and not wanting to damage gear! One thing you can use is a lens cover (a sock works rather well on internally focusing lenses if you're cheap whilst you can use lenscoats or similar brands for abit more cost).

Also unless your 70-200mm is the M2/VR2 I would also expect that it and the 2*TC won't beat the sigma so it looks like a good addition to your setup.

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Here are a couple test shots. These are nothing special subject wise, just quick shots to test out the lens. All shot in RAW and converted in ACR as specified. All taken using a 7D. I gotta say, this so far has exceeded my expectations and I think is going to my favorite lens next to the 70-200 f/2.8 IS. It is DEFINATELY hard to handhold at full length without a very high shutterspeed. I tried the monopod which actually seemed harder because it wanted to swing side to side like a pivot. I don't have much experience with monopods, so maybe it was my technique. I think with a sturdy tripod this lens is going to really be astounding for its price.

#1) Shot across a busy highway to a truck stop when testing the lens to buy. Shot at 500mm, hand held. Opened in ACR with the default AUTO settings applied. Also added slight Noise Reduction due to accidentally having the camera set to ISO 3200 from a previous gymnasium sports shoot.

Bigma1 by GooniesNeverSayDie11, on Flickr

#2) Shot hand held at 137mm. Converted in ACR by pressing AUTO for default settings.

AJH by GooniesNeverSayDie11, on Flickr

 

[j-digg]

Just saw the non OS Bigma on Craigslist, around where I live for 575 OBO, seems pretty cheap... The seller has already moved from 620 to 575 within 15 days of the first listing and I was thinking about offering 500 take it or leave it...figured itd be fun to mess around with, assuming it is in fact in good condition and the test shots turn out decent.. How many of you think 500 is a good price for a good used Bigma? Can anyone here with hands on experience chime in about IQ, AF, etc? Ive been searchin the forum and Googling and been gettin mixed results. Goonies - your 3200 ISO shot on the 7d at 500mm was a pleasant surprise... looks pretty good.

Listing: "...a Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, glass is pristine, area on the lens around tripod collar is rubbed off. Selling for $575 or best offer!"

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

Its not bad for the price. My two problems were lack of IS and the fact that its realy only like 460 or 480mm or something like that. I eventually sold it and bought a canon 2x extender for my 70-200L 2.8 IS. I lost a little reach but gained some speed. Plus I prefer to shoot on the move and like the IS. The bigma works great on a tripod but handheld is spotty at best. IQ was actually prtty decent IMO given the zoom range. AF is not super fast either and can chase if you dont have ample lighting. You can usually find the 150-500 OS for around $600 on ebay. I hear IQ isnt as good as bigma, but OS may be worth the trade.

 

[j-digg]

Yeah, I cant imagine 6.3 would able AF to be super fast in most cases... I actually thought anything smaller than 5.6 would be MF only on anything but a 1 series, maybe its f/8... anyhow, I wouldnt be using it for birds in flight or anything like that... The only telephotos I have right now are the cheapo 55-250 and a macro lens lol... so the AF would prolly seem fast to me

Id definitely be using it at least with a monopod, by the looks of this thing extended at "500" I dont think Id be hand holding it too much ...

I dont know... after hearing what this and similar lenses go for on ebay it sortve disinterests me, though not entirely...I guess I was mainly interested in it because I thought it was a killer deal.

 

[Overread36]

With canon camera bodies you do lose AF if the lenses maximum aperture is smaller than f5.6, unless you are using a 1D series body (or the 7D, but only in live view mode where it uses phase detection AF and not contrast detection which is uses in its regular shooting mode). In the case of the sigma zooms which go to f6.3 the lens reports the aperture to the user correctly, but it lies to the camera's AF section so the camera never realises that its got a smaller than ideal aperture.

 

[j-digg]

Thanks Over I hope your new 7d is treating you well... mines taking a little vacation to New Jersey :\

 

[GooniesNeverSayDie11]

With canon camera bodies you do lose AF if the lenses maximum aperture is smaller than f5.6, unless you are using a 1D series body (or the 7D, but only in live view mode where it uses phase detection AF and not contrast detection which is uses in its regular shooting mode). In the case of the sigma zooms which go to f6.3 the lens reports the aperture to the user correctly, but it lies to the camera's AF section so the camera never realises that its got a smaller than ideal aperture.

Actually, the Rebels ( well atleast the T1i ) would still have AF functioning. I believe its only the pro and pro-sumer bodies ( or whatever you want to call them ) I have used a 70-300 4-5.6 with a 2x teleconverter on it and still had AF functioning. It was outdoors with lots of light, but it would still chase often ( and not to mention the IQ wasn't too good ).

After using the Bigma, I would much rather spend roughly $500 on a used Canon 70-300 IS USM and a used Kenko pro300 DGX 1.4x teleconverter. That would give you almost the reach of the Bigma.( although not as much on the short end. )

EDIT: There is also a trick with the Teleconverters that will keep them from reporting to the camera as well so that AF will still work although it may not lock on. ( you put a piece of tape over 3 of the connector pins I believe. You can google it online.