topic Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera in EF & RF Lenses

Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 13:49:36 GMT

I'm interested in getting a little more reach for my 7DII camera for wildlife photography. I currently have the 100 - 400 mm II which I have no issues with except it doesn't always provide enough reach for far-away subjects.

I'm interested in perhaps getting a Sigma or Tamron telephoto zoom lens. However, when I looked up the Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens, it was described as a "full-format" lens. What does that mean when it describes a lens? Is it compatible with my 7DII crop sensor camera?

Also, does anyone have both the Sigma Sport and the Canon 100 - 400 mm II lens? Does the Sigma lens compare favorably to the Canon lens with regard to image quality and perhaps other aspects in your opinion? I'll read comparison reviews but I'm interested in personal experience as well. But first, I need to know if this lens is compatible with my camera.

Thanks.

Mark

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

kvbarkley — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:03:02 GMT

Full frame just means that it is "EF" instead of "EF-S" - it will work on full frame and crop frame, just like Canon EF lenses.

My Tamron works fine on my Rebel.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:06:20 GMT

Thanks!

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 14:14:13 GMT

Mark,

I own and use the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens for Canon. I love it. It is in the same class as the best Canon "L" lenses. However, this means it is heavy, very heavy. You need to wrap yourself around that aspect before you select one of th e150-600mm super zooms. All these lenses in this class are nearly identical in IQ and how they work. Some give and take but nearly identical performance. The Siggy S biggest attribute is build so if that is what you are after it is for you. Any of these super zooms will work on a 7D Mk II. I don't have a Mk II but I did have two 7D's.

For me and the kind of work I do, I prefer the extra build. The IQ from the "S" might be just a pixel or two better but not significant. If I were not in the mode of wanting the best built lens I would buy the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. Way lighter and good IQ, the best among the consumer level super zooms currently available.

The only problem with the Canon 100-400mm zoom is no 401mm to 600mm focal length. Canon has the ability to produce a 150-600mil super zoom but for some reason they choose not to. No matter how good some claim the 100-400mm is with a 1.4x tele con, it is still a pain to have to use a tel-con when you want more FL. Especially when there is lenses out there that have it natively. I don't like tel-cons, never did.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:00:27 GMT

Thanks for your response. Yes, the weight issue for me is probably a deal breaker. My Canon 100 - 400 mm II weighs 3.6 lbs. The Sigma 150 - 600 Sport weighs 6.3 lbs. My issue is that, except in certain instances (for instance, low light for an early morning owl), I don't like using tripods or monopods. When I walk the trails, I want the freedom to catch an eagle flying towards me with minimal setup that a tripod would require. I'm probably a candidate for a mirrorless setup such as the Olympus OMD-E1-Mark II but they don't make (at this time) the zoom lens I would want. Their 40 - 150 mm zoom, even with the crop factor (2.0) is not enough and their 300 mm f/4 prime has not been reviewed so well by Tony Northrup, someone I usually believe. Plus, really don't like prime lenses is general because of the problem with subjects that are too close. Now, I am going to look at the Tamron 150 - 600 mm lens you mentioned because it weighs 4.4 lbs, somewhat more than my Canon lens but not so much more. So thanks for that recommendation.

I do completely agree with your comments about TCs. I did try the Canon 1.4X III TC with the 100 - 400 mm II and I felt that my images were a little soft. It also slowed down autofocus on flying birds. So I'm not a great fan of TCs and sold mine recently.

Thanks, again.

Mark

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:34:10 GMT

Mark,

It sounds like the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 is for you. Tamron made a good lens even better when they came out with the G2. It also has user upgradeable and changeable FW. Unfortunately you can't get 600mm of FL with out some fairly heavy glass. It goes with the territory. If it proves too heavy also, perhaps a different hobby is in your future.

The lightest lens and perhaps the best buy in a prime lens is the ef 400mm f5.6 L USM. I have one now and I had two of them. Can't say enough good about the 400mil.

But the reason for this reply, I am not a big review reader. Most people have an agenda so the review is slanted. One thing most people don't want anybody to think they made a bad purchase. In my case when I retired I sorta took up a hobby of testing as many lenses as I could possibly test. I have lost count now but I would not be surprised if it isn't in the 100's. I have 40 or so as we speak but I am selling them off and keeping only the ones I really like or use often. The Siggy "S" is one that I will keep!

OK all of that is to just say, I am not a Tony Northrup fan. One of my least favorite reviewers. He's flat out wrong about a lot of stuff he talks about. The best thing about Tony is Chelsea!

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 15:42:38 GMT

EBiggs,

Thanks, again. The Tamron G2 only weights 0.8 lbs more than my Canon 100 - 400 II so I think I could carry it in the field without a tripod or monopod which would be my preference. Since you've used both lenses, is the Tamron G2 comparable with respect to overall image quality and particularly sharpness of the subject? I know this is pretty subjective but I am interested in what you have to say.

I get you with reviewers. So much has to do with your own experience. Evaluating cameras and lens and especially overall image quality can be pretty subjective. As for Tony Northrup, I guess I've read so much of his books and reviews that I could be biased. I'll give you that.

Mark

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

kvbarkley — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:15:38 GMT

I find the best thing to do is rent one from LensRentals. Then you can "review" it for yourself. And, if you *really* like the one you rented, you can just buy that one from them. Or return it and buy a new one.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:32:32 GMT

I don't have anything against the renting of lenses but it is money you could have put towards buying the lens. I have only rented lenses that I can not or never could be able to afford.

My experience with all the 150-600mm super zooms is they are all nearly identical. You could be happy with any of them. The exception right now is the Tamron G2 is just a tad bit better so why not? This is probably just because it is the latest offering. Perhaps Sigma will update it's 150-600mm "C" and become a tad bit better. Bottom line either is very good and really a choice you need to make. Maybe some day Canon will see the error of it's ways and come out with one, too. Hard to believe they have given up that part of the market as brand-N has one in this class.

BTW, these are good used lenses to buy. They don't get a lot of use and people are generally pretty careful with one of them.

I picked up a used Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 lens for $400 a while back. I got this one for a friend who was looking for a super zoom, too. It's OK, pretty nice for $400 bucks actually. I have had several of them. They are hit or miss but if you get a good one it is very good. Two of the three that I have/had were awful. The one I kept is really a nice lens. So, you might check around and see what's out there used.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:36:10 GMT

Thanks for the tip. Yes, that's probably a good idea.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 17:03:41 GMT

Yes, I'll probably rent it. In reading the reviews, it seems like a great lens in its class but has a con of image softness at full focal length extension. When compared to the Canon 400 mm prime with a 1.4X TC, the Canon was sharper. Therefore, there's probably no question that I'll rent the Tamron and see for myself. It's the only way.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

ebiggs1 — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 17:37:39 GMT

Don't believe that review! It's wrong. But you do as you see fit a man should always do as he feels right.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

wq9nsc — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:10:29 GMT

I would be surprised if the Canon 400 5.6 prime with 1.4X wasn't sharper than the Sigma zoom at its maximum telephoto end. The 400 5.6 is an exceptional telephoto for its price. There are a lot of compromises involved in making a wide range zoom and even Canon's mega expensive 200-400MM with built in extender isn't quite as sharp at 400MM as their 400 F2.8 even thought that 200-400 contains pretty much all of the technology Canon could bring to bear in its design. The Canon 200-400 is an incredible lens with a built in dedicated 1.4X that can be switched in and out on the fly (I have rented one three times and love it but not quite enough to buy it).

IF you don't absolutely need a zoom then a comparably priced prime in the same focal length range is generally going to be better and will also usually respond better to a 1.4X extender. A zoom lens is a convenience at times and a necessity at others so you have to choose which applies most often to your shooting habits and subjects.

Reviews show that your 100-400 does very well with a 1.4X and your 7D2 will AF at this F8 aperture combination. Have you tried this combo yet to see how you like it before buying another lens?

As you continue to increase focal length, especially with a lens of this reach on a "crop" body, you will need a dead steady tripod for many of these wildlife shots and you will find a remote release like the Canon intervalometer to be very useful to avoid inroducing any camera shake.

I like my 400 F5.6 and I have used it quite a bit with a 1.4X however there is no question that it is noticeably softer with the 1.4X. Its faster 300 F2.8 and 400 F2.8 suffer far less noticeable degradation but those are so sharp to start with that it is less of a concern in most cases.

I picked up a Canon 2X years ago but have always felt that the image degradation was too great with any of the primes I own to make me want to use it.

Rodger

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:35:42 GMT

Rodger,

Great response. Yes, I know that the Canon 400 mm f5.6 is a great lens although found this out today (LOL). It definitely is affordable. Frankly, however, I really do like a zoom lens. In Florida, I often shoot wildlife at a distance or really close. I love my Canon 100 - 400 mm II for that reason. I really don't want to use a prime lens. My wife switched to mirrorless and gave me her Canon 300 mm f/4 lens. I used it but was really unhappy with the sharpness of images compared to my 100 - 400 lens and really super unhappy with images when I attached the 1.4X TC. As a result, I immediately sent the 300 mm lens and the TC to B and H to sell them. Buying the Canon 400 mm f/5.6 prime now without the TC doesn't make sense to me and I'm still suspicious about putting a TC on it.

I have also used my 100 - 400 mm II lens with the TC and I thought the images were soft at full extension. This is a real subjective determination. I already know some photographers who use it regularly but I just don't like it. I have seen images with a 300 mm f/2.8 with a 2X TC and they look great. But that lens is probably too expensive for me at this time.

I am going to rent the Tamron 150 - 600 mm f5/6.3 G2 when I get back from a trip and decide for myself. I just don't want to buy a Canon 400 mm f/5.6 prime lens and then rebuy the 1.4X TC. Just can't bring myself to do it but it might have been the right choice. Should have held on to the TC. LOL.

Thanks, again.

Mark

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

cicopo — Thu, 10 Oct 2019 21:38:45 GMT

I have shot the same types of venue for the last 10 years using both versions of the 100-400 L IS with a 7D2 once it came out as wall as with the Sigma 150-600 C which I prefer over either of the 100-400 L's. The only thing I really don't like about the Sigma is that you can't zoom it's full range in a single motion. You need to let go & go some more once you've twisted the ring as far as you can. I always shoot hand held & am on the flight line for several hours at a time. You can check my results here quickly if you want. The camera & lens info is under each thumbnail & clicking on it gets the bigger image.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/membergallery.php?m=96544

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:01:38 GMT

Your photos are excellent. Thing is, I think the Sigma lens at 6.3 lbs is just too heavy for me compared to my Canon lens (3.6 lbs). The Tamron at 4.4 lbs is reasonable and that's the lens I'll rent. I don't want to use a tripod except for low-light situations and I don't want to hold a heavy lens up to a wildlife subject like an osprey or bald eagle for a long time waiting for it to launch. That's basically my issue so I'm more interested in the lighted Tamron 150 - 600 mm G2.

Appreciate your comments and your photos.

Mark

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

Waddizzle — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:36:08 GMT

"Reviews show that your 100-400 does very well with a 1.4X and your 7D2 will AF at this F8 aperture combination. Have you tried this combo yet to see how you like it before buying another lens?"

I think that is not the best gear combo. The 7D2 will have only one AF point, the center AF point. AF speed will take a very noticeable performance hit Your frame rate drops from 10fps, but I cannot say how much. The AF speed is bad enough that you may think that something is wrong with the camera. AF tracking takes hit because of the sluggish AF speed.

Both the 80D and the 6D2 easily outperform the 7D2 when it comes to focusing with an f/8 lens. They both offer 27 Af points, and no noticeable hit in AF speed. Just my observations.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

cicopo — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 01:18:17 GMT

The current version of the Tamron didn't exist when I bought the Sigma which was getting the better reviews back then. I really didn't expect it to AF fast enough for the RC planes but it did so I adjusted to it's weight. Whether the Tamron is better or not I'm quite happy with my lens & favor it over the Canon 100-400 unless I need the shorter reach or need to focus on something closer than the Sigma can. Either lens (150-600) is a bargain considering the IQ they deliver.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

mjschocken — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 01:55:35 GMT

I have used the 7D2 with the 100 - 400 II and the 1.4X TC. I thought the images were a little soft, not horribly, but soft nonetheless. I therefore just use the 100 - 400 II without the TC. I have no issues whatsoever with the 100 - 400 II but just want more reach. You can see my photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/hyalella/. If the subject is too far away and I crop too much, it loses details. I understand that and therefore want a lens that will give me more reach but provide the same IQ as my 100 - 400 II. (Note that I also shoot with a Sony RX 10 IV and, while I like the camera/lens, it is mainly a grab and go or travel camera).

As for the 80D, overeall I'll take the 7D2. I have owned two 80Ds, liked them, but like the 7D2 more.

Re: Sigma 150 - 600 mm Sport lens for a Canon 7DII Camera

ebiggs1 — Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:26:52 GMT

If I had a 7D Mk II there is no way on this Earth I would take an 80D over it. Keep your 7D's!