Hi All,
Just added this lens after much research and and I am curious about the adjustment process. I've not used a Sigma Global before and have no experience with the Sigma USB dock. I'm interested in your experiences with the process, so that I can get an idea of what to expect.
Also curious about whether anyone has had success with either the old or new Sigma 2x converter with this lens. The one I'm getting has the dock and newer 1.4x included, so that I can check for myself.
Thanks all!
I had one for a while, with the 1.4 TC IQ was excellent, same as AF. I had the 2x TC but the truth is I never really used it much to recall. Great lens, you will love it.
Well...wow. Shot today with no adjustments. It's noticeably sharper than my 500VR was at f4 and that lens was inspiring. It's sharper 5.6 with the TC-1401 than the VR was. It seems very fast to AF and happily I don't see either a focus breathing issue or a burst focus issue. So...pretty happy.
jbear wrote:
Well...wow. Shot today with no adjustments. It's noticeably sharper than my 500VR was at f4 and that lens was inspiring. It's sharper 5.6 with the TC-1401 than the VR was. It seems very fast to AF and happily I don't see either a focus breathing issue or a burst focus issue. So...pretty happy.
Nice to hear!
How is the contrast of this lens? I shot the older Sigma 500mm f4.5 for a few years, and felt that although very good and sharp, it produced rather flat looking images, with a certain dullness.
Has Sigma improved in that area, or even caught up with Nikon and Canon?
I now shoot the 500PF, but am looking for a longer reach option, i.e. a lens that works really well with a 1.4TC. The Nikon 500mmf4E is the obvious choice, but 4000,- more expensive than the Sigma, so Sigma has a compelling offer.
I have never been a fan of any images that I've seen from the older Sigma at 4.5 or with the tc's (which are why I would have gotten it). Now...I never shot it myself, so that's a BIG factor, as I run full-speed from non-user intel. That being said...this lens...has the qualities that made my G VR and 300 2.8 VRII special. All of that "3-D quality" stuff that folks speak of, which I suppose is microcontrast.
Anyway...this one has "it." I have shot with the 500 f4 E...I agree with Brad Hill...I absolutely cannot tell the difference in the images. I haven't shot this one enough to discuss handling, but it does have some stuff I already like a lot. The offset AF-on/Memory Lock/AF-Lock buttons on the barrel...infinitely more ergo than the Nikon (for me). The ability to turn the detent on and off on the collar...which (at first use) seems smoother than the collar on the E.
I notice in reviewing my images from yesterday, that I do have to adjust focus a little bit. I put it on the dock and it was set straight across at -5...that seems to NOT be the setting for my cameras. Anyway...the in focus areas are crazy sharp. Missing by probably 3-4mm @ about 8M, which I anticipate being an easy fix. I only see it at 500/f4 or 700/5.6 where DOF is super thin.
I'm going to set AF to speed priority, and try "moderate view" OS. That's what Hill recommends, but I could leave it and be very happy. I think it is a steal for what it is...so far.
jbear wrote:
I have never been a fan of any images that I've seen from the older Sigma at 4.5 or with the tc's (which are why I would have gotten it). Now...I never shot it myself, so that's a BIG factor, as I run full-speed from non-user intel. That being said...this lens...has the qualities that made my G VR and 300 2.8 VRII special. All of that "3-D quality" stuff that folks speak of, which I suppose is microcontrast.
Anyway...this one has "it." I have shot with the 500 f4 E...I agree with Brad Hill...I absolutely cannot tell the difference in the images. I haven't shot this one enough to discuss handling, but it does have some stuff I already like a lot. The offset AF-on/Memory Lock/AF-Lock buttons on the barrel...infinitely more ergo than the Nikon (for me). The ability to turn the detent on and off on the collar...which (at first use) seems smoother than the collar on the E.
I notice in reviewing my images from yesterday, that I do have to adjust focus a little bit. I put it on the dock and it was set straight across at -5...that seems to NOT be the setting for my cameras. Anyway...the in focus areas are crazy sharp. Missing by probably 3-4mm @ about 8M, which I anticipate being an easy fix. I only see it at 500/f4 or 700/5.6 where DOF is super thin.
I'm going to set AF to speed priority, and try "moderate view" OS. That's what Hill recommends, but I could leave it and be very happy. I think it is a steal for what it is...so far....Show more →
That sounds encouraging. Interesting to hear you use the "it has "it"" phrase. In general bird and wildlife shooters seem to become less and less sensitive to the special IQ of expensive super telelenses and more and more sensitive to the "out of the park" specs of very expensive camera bodies. I don't fit in this trend, I value a high end lens with the special IQ factor more than a body that will give me hundreds of perfectly in focus shots per minute with a very good consumer zoom lens.
That is why I am planning to get either the Nikon 500E or the Sigma 500S, even though I am also sensitive to the lures of a Sony A1 type body.
So very good to hear about the Sigma. Since you have both though, what is your opinion on handholding the Sigma vs the Nikon? I have a dusty tripod somewhere, but have not used it in 8 years or so.
I have a like new Sigma 500 f/4 that I am planning to list soon for sale. It was only used for a month. It's just too much lens for me is the only reason that I want to sell it.
Bought the Sigma 500 f/4 a couple of years ago to shoot big surf in Hawaii. I'm really happy with it. I shoot it with the D500 and Z6. Here's a few samples on my flicker account.
I saw last night that it's set +5 across the board for the 1401 (it was -5 without), so I reset that too. I will shoot with everything zeroed this weekend first and go from there. I think it's going to be MUCH better when I get it set up for my cameras. Probably will dock-set it on a D500 and then just do an in-camera adjustment with the D850. I just anticipate that this will be the most used combo.
I completely forgot...before I had the 500 G VR, I had a 500 AFSII...this is a totally different class in every regard from that lens (as was the VR). Not sure if my individual lens was not great, but at f4 I did not like it at all. I had it evaluated by KEH at the time and they said it was fine?? Anyway...to be continued...if you're interested.
I think you got a bargain for this lens at 4K considering you're getting the same performance as the 500 FL (at least)!
So...results are significantly improved from the initial "test." I may need to adjust the D500 a little, but I have nothing in the way of "data..." just a couple hundred bird and squirrel shots and some distant mailbox posts. If I can't get it squared away by eye, I may do a legit calibration. I think I have the FoCal software lying around somewhere. Last time around, I tried the autocal on the cameras and didn't have much luck. It was admittedly a half-hearted attempt. .
I continue to be kinda blown away with how good the 700/5.6 images are so far. I was not expecting that much improvement over the 500 G VR, which was great with the 14eII and III. I'm not seeing that I will ever have to stop this lens or combo down unless I need DOF or I enter a 100% competition.
Glad to hear your lens is working well for you. Honestly, from the images I've seen, it looks like a tremendous lens, sharp corner to corner. I would have gotten it though for me the 500pf shoots my style of shooting more.
Thank you. I spent the afternoon calibrating it, so...I think it's gonna get better! I just love the things I can do with superteles. Like you say...it's all about our individual shooting styles.
I used the target that Steve Perry has on his site. I just took multiple shots at different -/+ values. Then I viewed at 200%. I know that's not scientific but it's what I had. I did it from all the programmable distances except infinitely. I'll see how it goes and go from there.
I remember a while back I posted that I found the Sigma to be much sharper than the nikon 500G with and without tc's and I got flamed for it..
Glad to see you came to the same finding as me... enjoy the lens, I sometimes regret selling mine
I just share my observations so that anyone looking for hands-on information can use it. I run screaming from any views expressed that aren't from knowledgeable people with personal experience. You get a feel for who those folks are. I think some try to justify purchases or get "protective" of their choices. All I care about is having the best tool for the job.
?? Anyway...to be continued...if you're interested.
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