p.1 #1Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
I recently rented a A7R6 and a sigma 500mm 5.6 to see how it would perform for my birding use. I currently use an A7R5 and a 200-600mm but was curious what going faster and lighter would get me.
Optically the new combination was terrific, very impressed by the performance of the lens in terms of resolution and rendering. However, there was one odd issue - in both of the stabilization modes (that you can choose on the lens via switches) there was a two or three Hz jitter when looking through the lens when hand held. This behavior also occurred when using it with my A7R5. I didn't have time to try the lens on a tripod, unfortunately. The jitter also manifested when I braced my arms on a railing, though. I'm guessing there was something wrong with this copy of the lens.
What sort of stabilization performance would people who have used this lens expect on either of these combinations (R5 or R6?
p.1 #2Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
There are actually 6 OS modes. The OS switch is for direction 1 (both axes) or 2 (panning). The lens custom switch on Sony changes the live view stabilization. OFF = "standard", C1 = "dynamic", C2 = "moderate". 2 x 3 = 6 combinations. I prefer OS ON + C1 which is "dynamic".
p.1 #3Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
jeffbuzz wrote:
There are actually 6 OS modes. The OS switch is for direction 1 (both axes) or 2 (panning). The lens custom switch on Sony changes the live view stabilization. OFF = "standard", C1 = "dynamic", C2 = "moderate". 2 x 3 = 6 combinations. I prefer OS ON + C1 which is "dynamic".
Good to know, thanks. Would you expect to see this kind of jitter in any of these modes?
p.1 #4Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
"is it on the latest firmware" responses often annoy me, but in this case, maybe appropriate. I had the Sigma 500 f4 and there were at least 2 updates in the time I had it.
I assume you don't have the lens anymore so don't have the option for firmware update or trying the different OS modes. I'd be doing both.
p.1 #5Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
Choderboy wrote:
"is it on the latest firmware" responses often annoy me, but in this case, maybe appropriate. I had the Sigma 500 f4 and there were at least 2 updates in the time I had it.
I assume you don't have the lens anymore so don't have the option for firmware update or trying the different OS modes. I'd be doing both.
Definitely good to check firmware. There's only been one update to Ver.02 2024.06.20. It was purportedly specific to a9 III 120fps support. But you never know what other "fixes" may be included. I used my lens on both version 1 and 2 and didn't notice any difference in OS performance.
p.1 #6Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
jeffbuzz wrote: Choderboy wrote"is it on the latest firmware" responses often annoy me, but in this case, maybe appropriate. I had the Sigma 500 f4 and there were at least 2 updates in the time I had it.
I assume you don't have the lens anymore so don't have the option for firmware update or trying the different OS modes. I'd be doing both.Definitely good to check firmware. There's only been one update to Ver.02 2024.06.20. It was purportedly specific to a9 III 120fps support. But you never know what other "fixes" may be included. I used my lens on both version 1 and 2 and didn't notice any difference in OS performance.
Hopefully it did get fixed in firmware or this was a bad copy. I did find a review (from 2024) on the B&H site that mentioned "With the stabilization on any setting, I experience what I can only describe as 'jerkiness' in the footage. I cannot get smooth footage because it's like the slightest movement results in a jump in movement" which sounds a bit like my problem. I'll rent one again from somewhere else and see if it is sample variation or a lack of an update. (And will try changing the custom settings.) I liked everything else about the lens (other than the long MFL, but that I can live with).
I find it hard to imagine that they all have it as it made the stabilization worse than any other long lens I've ever used. It reminded me of how my Fuji binoculars behave when their batteries are about to die and the motors aren't getting enough current...
p.1 #7Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
The movement you perceive through the viewfinder doesn't necessarily equate to movement in the captured image. That's what the various custom switch options control. Continuously stabilizing the viewfinder image takes more power than only stabilizing at the moment of capture. The C2 mode is supposed to let you purposely recompose your framing without shifting the OS to hold the previous framing position. It took time to experiment with all the options to figure out which worked best for me.
p.1 #8Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
I have the Sigma 500 on A7R6 and before that A7RV and to me the stabilization seems roughly comparable to the Sony 200-600 when I owned it. It does the job pretty well, but is not in the same class as the Sony 70-200GM which I thought was crazy good.
p.1 #10Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
jeffbuzz wrote:
The movement you perceive through the viewfinder doesn't necessarily equate to movement in the captured image. That's what the various custom switch options control. Continuously stabilizing the viewfinder image takes more power than only stabilizing at the moment of capture. The C2 mode is supposed to let you purposely recompose your framing without shifting the OS to hold the previous framing position. It took time to experiment with all the options to figure out which worked best for me.
Yes, I definitely plan to rent it again and this time will pay attention to the custom switch. Hopefully I didn't have it set to C1. (Or it was a bad copy or old firmware.)
It checks so many boxes for me (and I really liked the images I got from it) that if I could get the stabilization working through the VF I'd definitely consider buying one!
p.1 #11Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
jeffbuzz wrote:
There are actually 6 OS modes. The OS switch is for direction 1 (both axes) or 2 (panning). The lens custom switch on Sony changes the live view stabilization. OFF = "standard", C1 = "dynamic", C2 = "moderate". 2 x 3 = 6 combinations. I prefer OS ON + C1 which is "dynamic".
Thanks for this info. I set mine today to OS mode 1 and custom mode to C1, and focused near minimum focus distance I was able to get sharp frames at 1/30th (by shooting several), and that’s more than good enough for my use. The viewfinder was pretty solid also. I currently have this lens for sale on our b&s board because I could use the cash for another project, but I’m not sure I can part with it, it’s such a nice optic and I love the size and weight.
p.1 #12Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
Ross Martin wrote: jeffbuzz wroteThere are actually 6 OS modes. The OS switch is for direction 1 (both axes) or 2 (panning). The lens custom switch on Sony changes the live view stabilization. OFF = "standard", C1 = "dynamic", C2 = "moderate". 2 x 3 = 6 combinations. I prefer OS ON + C1 which is "dynamic".Thanks for this info. I set mine today to OS mode 1 and custom mode to C1, and focused near minimum focus distance I was able to get sharp frames at 1/30th (by shooting several), and that’s more than good enough for my use. The viewfinder was pretty solid also. I currently have this lens for sale on our b&s board because I could use the cash for another project, but I’m not sure I can part with it, it’s such a nice optic and I love the size and weight.
That is encouraging- what did you have it mounted on?
p.1 #13Stabilization jitter while using a Sigma 500mm 5.6 on an A7R6 and 5?
seaSharp wrote: Ross Martin wrotejeffbuzz wroteThere are actually 6 OS modes. The OS switch is for direction 1 (both axes) or 2 (panning). The lens custom switch on Sony changes the live view stabilization. OFF = "standard", C1 = "dynamic", C2 = "moderate". 2 x 3 = 6 combinations. I prefer OS ON + C1 which is "dynamic".Thanks for this info. I set mine today to OS mode 1 and custom mode to C1, and focused near minimum focus distance I was able to get sharp frames at 1/30th (by shooting several), and that’s more than good enough for my use. The viewfinder was pretty solid also. I currently have this lens for sale on our b&s board because I could use the cash for another project, but I’m not sure I can part with it, it’s such a nice optic and I love the size and weight.That is encouraging- what did you have it mounted on?