Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Extension Tubes

[AKUK]

Hi Guys,

I've just picked up the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens for wildlife photography and really enjoying it. In a couple of locations I shoot at, I can get very close to some wild birds, so close in fact that they land within the 2.8m minimum focusing distance.

I was wondering if anyone had the same lens and whether they used extension tubes with it? If so, what brand/model are you using. I know in the past some tubes have not worked properly for one reason or another, so rather than drop some cash on a set and run into issues, I'd sooner buy right the first time.

Many thanks,

AK

 

[tirediron]

Technically speaking, the Kenko tubes should work just fine, 'though I can't say for sure never having tried them on a Sigma lens, but I would have some concerns about using them, just given the weight of the lens. Unlike a TC which is physically designed with the intent of having a lot of extra weight attached to it, tubes aren't, and I wonder if there might not be a bending/flexing problem which could damage either the camera, the tubes, or the lens.

 

[robbins.photo]

Hi Guys,

I've just picked up the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens for wildlife photography and really enjoying it. In a couple of locations I shoot at, I can get very close to some wild birds, so close in fact that they land within the 2.8m minimum focusing distance.

I was wondering if anyone had the same lens and whether they used extension tubes with it? If so, what brand/model are you using. I know in the past some tubes have not worked properly for one reason or another, so rather than drop some cash on a set and run into issues, I'd sooner buy right the first time.

Many thanks,

AK

If I remember correctly Sigma makes teleconverters designed specifically to work with this lens, TC-1401 and TC-2001. The 1401 is a 1.4x TC, which does apparently work ok with the lens however unless your camera is able to autofocus at F8 you might lose autofocus. Even if your camera can autofocus at F8 it's likely that the AF system will hunt and have a harder time locking.

From the reading I've done the TC-2001 2x probably wouldn't be a good investment, the reviews I've read say it degrades image quality considerably and of course since the lens at it's maximum zoom is a 6.3 when you reduce the amount of light coming into the sensor by another 2 stops by adding the TC you'll lose AF completely and have to manually focus.

 

[astroNikon]

So you are attempting to obtain a closer focusing distance than the lens/camera is rated for?

A TC I don't think reduces the close focusing distance.
Extension tubes would. but as mentioned the weight factor.
Plus would you want the extension tubes on all the time? Or just swap when a subject is closer than normal?
and .. at that point why not just switch lenses (or a second camera) or try to move backwards.

 

[robbins.photo]

So you are attempting to obtain a closer focusing distance than the lens/camera is rated for?

A TC I don't think reduces the close focusing distance.
Extension tubes would. but as mentioned the weight factor.
Plus would you want the extension tubes on all the time? Or just swap when a subject is closer than normal?
and .. at that point why not just switch lenses (or a second camera) or try to move backwards.

Ok, my mistake, thought she was talking about tcs. As Astro mentions I wouldn't add extension tubes to this lens, just don't move so close that your too close

Sent from my N9518 using Tapatalk

 

[AKUK]

I had the Kenko tubes but, sold them a couple of years ago, as I didn't do that much macro photography and had no call to use them on a longer lens up until now really. They are pretty solidly built and was inclined to go with them again or something equally robust. I've seen some generic tubes that are plastic mounted but, I wouldn't put those on the camera.

The whole setup would be tripod mounted on a gimble, using the lens collar on the Sigma. It would only be the weight of the camera upon it, as opposed to the weight of the lens, so I shouldn't think there would be a problem with flexing. I'd only be using a single tube in all likelihood, as I just want to be able to bring the MFD down a bit, to facilitate the shots I want.

I currently have the Kenko DGX PRO 1.4x teleconverter, which I find a bit hit and miss. 840mm is awesome to shoot at and the image quality was pretty decent to say the least. However the lens definitely hunts a lot more with the teleconverter fitted, due to the light loss. My problem isn't getting closer to the birds. It's them getting too close to me in the hide, which I'm unable to back up in. Once they are closer than 2.8m I'm stuffed. Just have to sit there watching them in frustration, haha. This is why I am looking at the extension tubes to decrease the MFD so when the birds land on certain perches, I can still photograph them.

The attached image was shot at 840mm f/10 (I think that was the aperture), which is only stopped down 1/3rd of a stop. Really impressed with the IQ of this lens, even with the relatively cheap Kenko TC. I just need to be able to shoot closer, to give me more opportunity to photograph the birds.

 

[astroNikon]

with extension tubes installed, don't you also loose the ability to focus on distant objects ?

Or are you expecting to have all the distance focusing of the lens then add close focus without affecting any other parameter?


or am I getting confused as you are chatting about TeleConvertors now.

 

[astroNikon]

seems as though someone has already tested this ==> TEST: Sigma 150-500 OS + Extension Tubes - BirdForum

 

[AKUK]

Thanks for the link, @astroNikon. Yes the extension tubes shorten both maximum and minimum focusing distances. As I'd be focusing on just a few perches that are roughly the same distance away, I'm not worried about losing infinity focus. So long as I can bring it down closer than 2.8m and have a bit of room to play with the other side, I'm golden.