It did the opposite for me. The idea that my order might get delayed indefinitely because of supply problems was one of the three main reasons I decided to go with the Sony 300 2.8 instead.
Indefinitely?
I like the 300 because it has more flexibility. But I have the Sigma on order because of size and weight.
That is at 300mm. I’d need to be using 600mm for birding.
Okay, then it's an inch longer than that and less than half a pound more, or less than two inches longer and less than three-quarters of a pound heavier altogether for another 100mm of reach. It's not a significant difference.
Optically I’m wondering how this compares to the 300 + 2x TC. I have a 300 en route but am still intrigued by this lens. Waiting patiently for comparisons.
gooby wrote:
Optically I’m wondering how this compares to the 300 + 2x TC. I have a 300 en route but am still intrigued by this lens. Waiting patiently for comparisons.
One way it can't compare is that it's 100mm shorter and you can't change that because you can't use a TC on it.
RikWriter wrote:
One way it can't compare is that it's 100mm shorter and you can't change that because you can't use a TC on it.
I guess then the question is does the 2x TC degrade image quality to make the cropped 500mm equivalent to 600mm similar? I don't know. I'm definitely intrigued by this lens as I decide what will replace my 200-600 as my birding lens. The 300GM should arrive later this week so we will see. Might grab one of these just to test it side by side.
gooby wrote:
I guess then the question is does the 2x TC degrade image quality to make the cropped 500mm equivalent to 600mm similar? I don't know. I'm definitely intrigued by this lens as I decide what will replace my 200-600 as my birding lens. The 300GM should arrive later this week so we will see. Might grab one of these just to test it side by side.
I hope the Sigma is a good lens, don't get me wrong. And if Sony didn't have these stupid restrictions, I definitely would have bought one.
The thing that really swayed me, though, was the fact that the Sony has 2.8 available if I need it and I can also turn it into a 420 f4 and a 600 f5.6. All in a lens light enough to hike with. We'll see if it works out. I'm spending a couple weeks in Yellowstone and Grand Teton in May and I'll get the chance to really put it to the test. If I feel restricted by the focal length, I'll sell it and try something else.
For those curious, an A7Riv-a wearing the Sig500/5.6 juxtaposed with
an A1+600/4.
More importantly, the A7Riv-a with Sig500/5.6 with hood in shooting position
easily fitting into a Tenba 10L.
Note the A7Riv-a is not gripped.
Note the 600/4 has a homemade 3D printed hood (I never even took the OEM 600 hood
out of the box).
I did try the A1+grip+cage+Sig500/5.6 with hood in shooting position and it fit fine.
Note included lens foot removed from the Sig500/5.6 after this shot, will ship to Hejnar sometime
today.
MedicineMan404 wrote:
For those curious, an A7Riv-a wearing the Sig500/5.6 juxtaposed with
an A1+600/4.
More importantly, the A7Riv-a with Sig500/5.6 with hood in shooting position
easily fitting into a Tenba 10L.
Note the A7Riv-a is not gripped.
Note the 600/4 has a homemade 3D printed hood (I never even took the OEM 600 hood
out of the box).
I did try the A1+grip+cage+Sig500/5.6 with hood in shooting position and it fit fine.
Note included lens foot removed from the Sig500/5.6 after this shot, will ship to Hejnar sometime
today.
Nice!
Now go and tell me that the Sigma is superb on the A1, and that I just háve to get one ASAP.
I will not be selling the 600GM myself, but my recent back injury has put it on the shelf for now.. I'll be allright for sure, but the Sigma would be a very welcome addition in any scenario. I just need the last push to get a Nikon Z8 with 600PF out of my head.
This morning checking 'resolution' and enjoying the cropability of the A7Riv-a. I never really liked this camera or the A7Riv before it...technically it is the wife's camera. But figuring it is the most pixel demanding body we have (well the OMs 1ii is close) I thought I'd use it for the morning go.
The lens will def. work for what I'll do with it.
Remember nothing big and flying here (yet, working on my tower) so be a while
before I can play with the A1's AF.
Chris, this is my Sony future. So reminiscent of the 500PF, weighted very much like the Oly 300/4.
DOESN'T hurt my hands to pick up
MedicineMan404 wrote:
This morning checking 'resolution' and enjoying the cropability of the A7Riv-a. I never really liked this camera or the A7Riv before it...technically it is the wife's camera. But figuring it is the most pixel demanding body we have (well the OMs 1ii is close) I thought I'd use it for the morning go.
The lens will def. work for what I'll do with it.
Remember nothing big and flying here (yet, working on my tower) so be a while
before I can play with the A1's AF.
Chris, this is my Sony future. So reminiscent of the 500PF, weighted very much like the Oly 300/4.
DOESN'T hurt my hands to pick up
Looking good so far. I'm also debating between picking this lens up or adding the Z8/600 PF to my kit. I'm leaning towards giving the Sigma a try before diving into two systems again.
If I had a A7RV I'd go with the Sigma all day .Unfortunately, the A1 will never see beyond 15fps with this lense, and that would bug me. Sadly, It's a deal breaker
40Driggs wrote:
Looking good so far. I'm also debating between picking this lens up or adding the Z8/600 PF to my kit. I'm leaning towards giving the Sigma a try before diving into two systems again.
15fps ha! And I used to think the 7Dii and D500 were speedy.
Yeah I'm good with 15....been doing Olympus pro-capture lately and my mind is boggled with how many frames I'll rack up in an hour. Same with the A1 at 30fps....way way more than I need BUT the A1 needs pro-capture.
Daniel I did look at the Z8 and the 400/4.5 a few weeks ago. Decided nope, not doing the 3 system route again. We've had Sony since the NEX-5 and Olympus since the OMD M1 Mkii.
Forgot something important on my shots earlier this morning----distance. Nikon rangefinder said I was 14.1 yards from the birds imaged; important to know the distance, we all know how most lenses/sensors can do OK short range, anyway just so you all would know.
And a shot from this afternoon.
This time using the A7iv with the Sig500/5.6, yeah I'll get to the A1 soon enough.
Forgot the A7iv was in HEIF/HIC mode but turned out alright.
32 yards for those like me wanting to know distance.
LarryChen wrote:
So how do you like it? Is it what you expected? Thanks.
A lot really a joy to use, pretty much as expected good lens well made with prime optics that shine ,af ok on the A1 very nice, a7r5 a little more sluggish but then so is the 200-600mm ,will i stop using my 200-600 mostly i think so ,especially when i know i will be handholding a lot and hiking. I probably am a bit of stickler for fine arty type rendering which is why i like the a7r5 with good primes ,
MedicineMan404 wrote:
And a shot from this afternoon.
This time using the A7iv with the Sig500/5.6, yeah I'll get to the A1 soon enough.
Forgot the A7iv was in HEIF/HIC mode but turned out alright.
32 yards for those like me wanting to know distance.
I'm interested in this lens. How far away was that background?
I didn't shoot the background with the rangefinder so it would only be a guess. 12 feet'ish.
If you really want to know I can go back to the creek and rangefind the distance. The Cormorant
in all likelihood will still be there
I know bokeh rendering is important but I do feel that it is better by a good margin than the 500PF
I always dreamed on in Sony mount.
MedicineMan404 wrote:
I didn't shoot the background with the rangefinder so it would only be a guess. 12 feet'ish.
If you really want to know I can go back to the creek and rangefind the distance. The Cormorant
in all likelihood will still be there
I know bokeh rendering is important but I do feel that it is better by a good margin than the 500PF
I always dreamed on in Sony mount.
The A1 needs pro capture no question, but Sony won't give it to us. They'll attached a pre order to that feature later this year 😄. Sony also has not delivered a mid range , lightweight 500-600 prime with fast linear AF motors that can take Teleconverters, and they probably won't . Seems Sony is into the video arena more and more these days and have forgotten the photographer out there who isn't interested in video. I didn't buy an A1 for video. That'said, Sony had better watch out . I know Nikon has my attention. I am willing to make a change if I need to. Ttyl
MedicineMan404 wrote:
15fps ha! And I used to think the 7Dii and D500 were speedy.
Yeah I'm good with 15....been doing Olympus pro-capture lately and my mind is boggled with how many frames I'll rack up in an hour. Same with the A1 at 30fps....way way more than I need BUT the A1 needs pro-capture.
Daniel I did look at the Z8 and the 400/4.5 a few weeks ago. Decided nope, not doing the 3 system route again. We've had Sony since the NEX-5 and Olympus since the OMD M1 Mkii.
Forgot something important on my shots earlier this morning----distance. Nikon rangefinder said I was 14.1 yards from the birds imaged; important to know the distance, we all know how most lenses/sensors can do OK short range, anyway just so you all would know....Show more →
