David83 wrote:
Well, the shad run is in full swing so the Ospreys are abundant here on the river. I finally took the Sigma down by itself to run it through a true test and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately, most of the action was on the other side of the river so I had very few good opportunities. I really love the way this lens renders. Ive been shooting the 600Gm mostly and have some threads over in the wildlife and nature forum.
Here's some from tonight. I took about 2200 images and only about 10 were missed focus.
I recently joined the Sigma 300-600mm club! Finally got a chance to take it out this past weekend at Sonoma Raceway
The lens is very sharp! AF motors are very fast. Yes, it's heavy. But I was using a monopod. So it wasn't an issue. But I think, judging by everyone's wonderful images in this thread, that it's hand holdable
Here's some images from the weekend (cross posted from the Sony FE thread)
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens551mmf/4.01/500s200 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens600mmf/4.01/1250s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens519mmf/4.01/320s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens568mmf/4.01/400s250 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens597mmf/4.01/500s250 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens600mmf/4.01/400s125 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens600mmf/4.01/1000s200 ISO0.0 EV
At this point, maybe my 300-600 is defective? I'm missing a decent amount of shots from every burst, soft focus. Or is there some hidden setting I don't know about? Maybe I should send it in to Sigma for a repair or checkup or something.
That's wild. My only out of focus shots were all in a sequence where an Osprey had dove and was trying to lift back off. I think it was more the camera trying to decide what to focus on than anything else. It was back-lit and water was splashing everywhere, just chaos for a few frames. .
ASC_1900 wrote:
At this point, maybe my 300-600 is defective? I'm missing a decent amount of shots from every burst, soft focus. Or is there some hidden setting I don't know about? Maybe I should send it in to Sigma for a repair or checkup or something.
I assume you’re photographing birds? You sound like you have plenty of knowledge and experience. So I’m ruling out user error
Perhaps post a sequence along with your settings. On the off chance someone here can help
Not sure sending the lens in is a good option. Because of it’s newness and relative rarity, my guess anyone with the ability to diagnose and fix it, is in Japan. The time, hassle, and possible cost to have the lens evaluated is probably the last option
In my very limited experience with this lens, I find it to be the fastest focusing long zoom lens I’ve tried. I would rank it above any super zoom Sony offers. And just below the Super telephoto primes
robert614 wrote:
I assume you’re photographing birds? You sound like you have plenty of knowledge and experience. So I’m ruling out user error
Perhaps post a sequence along with your settings. On the off chance someone here can help
Not sure sending the lens in is a good option. Because of it’s newness and relative rarity, my guess anyone with the ability to diagnose and fix it, is in Japan. The time, hassle, and possible cost to have the lens evaluated is probably the last option
In my very limited experience with this lens, I find it to be the fastest focusing long zoom lens I’ve tried. I would rank it above any super zoom Sony offers. And just below the Super telephoto primes
Hopefully, you can find a fix for your issues ...Show more →
I'm doing some wildlife but it's mostly a sports lens. I don't think it is user error, next time I go out I'll keep a few sequences for data point
I think the best way to find out if it's a lens issue is to get a test card printed, take some photos from a tripod and also handheld. If your getting a soft image on both then it would point to a lens issue, if its only occurring handheld then IBIS or Lens Stabilization may be a problem.
Also, if you have a filter on the lens I would remove it for the test.
ASC_1900 wrote:
I'm doing some wildlife but it's mostly a sports lens. I don't think it is user error, next time I go out I'll keep a few sequences for data point
Deff interested in hearing back with your results.
Tried the Sigma at the Wings Over Solano airshow over the weekend. It was pretty overcast, so lighting wasn't ideal.
While you definitely feel the weight of the lens, but it's definitely doable. I actually had more of an issue retraining my brain to let off the AF-On button, zoom, then require focus. Took a little getting used to, but I got used to it after a while
Here's some pics from the weekend
U.S Thunderbirds
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/3200s320 ISO0.0 EV
P-51 Mustang
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens361mmf/8.01/160s50 ISO0.0 EV
Patriot Jet Team
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens301mmf/4.01/3200s320 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/3200s250 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/3200s320 ISO0.0 EV
Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros a.k.a. The Pink Jet
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens501mmf/4.01/3200s200 ISO0.0 EV
not really a portrait lens, but here's a 300mm shot
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/2500s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens401mmf/4.01/3200s160 ISO0.0 EV
C-5M Super Galaxy
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/3200s400 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-1M2300-600mm F4 DG OS | Sports 025 lens300mmf/4.01/3200s320 ISO0.0 EV
For anyone else with this lens, does it have its own firmware? Sounds like a stupid question (I know), but I can't seem to find any details on the firmware on the Sigma page.
Dameon wrote:
For anyone else with this lens, does it have its own firmware? Sounds like a stupid question (I know), but I can't seem to find any details on the firmware on the Sigma page.
How’s that Viltrox 2X TC working with the Sigma? I rarely need 1200mm, but I’m hoping that Viltrox comes out with a 1.4X
Thanks!
The viltrox works OK. AF with center zone is pretty good, go to edges with smaller points and it is erratic. But it is very very good when it hits. I would love Viltrox to come out with a 1.4x.
I believe Viltrox gets around the Sony limitation by being transparent, it does not change aperture on the camera, but using auto ISO I don't have to do anything to compensate, and it doesn't show proper focal length in exif.
jeffryscott wrote:
It does work, it isn't perfect but it certainly does a great job when it hits ...
How often does it hit though? I recently got the 300-600 and find myself still wanting reach at times but not sure if the image degradation of the 2x viltrox tc is worth it if the iq also take a big hit.
