Saving my poker winnings for a 150-600mm lens

[JFG]

I know some have the Sigma 150-600mm 5-6-3 Contemporary DH OS HSM LENS for canon R and would like to get some input on the pros and cons.  Thanks  JFG

[ebiggs1]

"As mentioned, one needs to use a tripod or monopod."

I own and use the Sigma Sport and I almost never use a monopod and use a tripod even less. One of the popular  uses for a lens like this is BIF so a monopod and much worse a tripod is nearly impossible to use.

[JFG]

Good point, EB:  " I almost never use a monopod and use a tripod even less. One of the popular  uses for a lens like this is BIF "..   I also hardly use a tripod and do not own a monopod.  I only use my tripod for astronomy shots which have timed exposures.  Since you own the Sport version, are the optics better than the Contemporary ?  Or does the Sport cost more cause it's built with better materials or just better built ?  Your input is appreciated.   Cheers, Joe

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

Yes there is no good reason to buy the Sport model if you don't feel you need the extra build. The Sport is as tough as they come and completely weather proof. It may have a tiny bit better IQ, too but it isn't much if at all. The Tamron G2 does have better IQ but again not a great deal better. Like I said buying today I would buy the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. When I bought the Siggy Sport the Tamron G2 wasn't on the market yet. Perhaps if it was I may have bought it. It is a better lens than the Siggy C but the C is a fine lens and we are really splitting hairs on this better IQ thing.  You or anyone will be totally happy with the Sigma C. The big advantage is the G2 is weather sealed and the C is not or at least not anywhere close to the G2.  If that's important to you, you want the G2.. The Tamron G2 is more expensive by a few hundred bucks.

[ebiggs1]

"As mentioned, one needs to use a tripod or monopod."

Not wanting to sound pretentious but if you can't handle, do to whatever circumstance, a lens like the Sigma C for BIF you probably need to select a different hobby. Generally shooting BIF you are not holding the camera/lens for a really long time at a time. Using a monopod and or a tripod makes BIF exceedingly more difficult. Shooting sitting birds or mainly static animals or in the zoo you can use either if there are no restrictions about doing it.

I have always related it to myself using the Sigma Sport with out issue that anybody could certainly handle the Sigma C but here again its a try before you buy situation as everybody is different and I spent a lifetime handling heavy camera gear.

A Blackrapid strap is a good idea.

[ebiggs1]

I think the appearance of a lens like the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens works against it. It looks big and it is black and the first thought is, it is going to be difficult to use. And, that is before they try it out. I find both it and the Taron G2 to be quite handholdable and for extended periods of time. I know there are those that this lens truly is a lump to handle. For those individuals I always suggest the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens. No longer made but readily available on the used market, this lens is an absolute joy to use. Very light at almost half the weight of the Sigma or Tamron. The ef 400mm prime offers the same aperture, too. It is in the same price range for a very good to excellent example.

[Tronhard]

I am going to stick my neck out and challenge the weather gods that for the first time, in a long time, I can get out without being rained on.  I was going to see if I could get some samples of the use of the R6MkII (as opposed to the MkI) with the Sigma 150-600c.  Is there anything you would like to see?  I will likely go to the zoo, since it has shelters and a café in case the heavens open up again, and because it is guaranteed to have wildlife of various types, given it's winter here and there is not much except the odd bird in Auckland right now.

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Right... well, sort of...
First, it started raining as I got to the zoo: not an auspicious beginning, but I persevered after seeking solace in the café with a coffee.  Then I found the camera settings were completely screwed and I eventually remembered I had allowed someone to look at it and was distracted for about a minute.  In that time they managed to completely scramble the settings and lost my custom backup profiles.  So, after another coffee and some time rejigging I finally made it out.  Here are some of the results.
All taken with the Canon EOS R6MkII, Sigma 150-600c, hand-held, available light, single point AF, single point metering, BBF, BBE, Auto eye tracking in servo mode...

Apart from the initial disasters, the camera + lens combination worked quite well.  I had some poor images caused by distractions (like people walking in front of me), but overall I would say that the lens worked consistently with the camera and my (corrected) settings.

Female Sumatran Tiger: 403mm, f/7.1, 1/80sec, ISO-100Kakariki in bush: 600mm, f/6.3, 1/160sec, ISO-6400Male Cheetah: 451mm, f/6.3, 1/500sec, ISO-3200Male Cheetah: 215mm, f/5.6, 1/320sec, ISO-800600mm, f/6.3, 1/640sec, ISO-640Late Bloomer: f/5.6, 1/320sec, ISO-250

Nyala: 374mm, f/5.6, 1/400sec, ISO-800Australian Love Birds: 600mm, f/7.1, 1/640sec, ISO-5000Lion at Lunch: 600mm, f/8, 1/1000sec, ISO-160

[JFG]

Thanks for the input EB.  I now have the money to purchase a 150-600mm lense and I'm leaning on going with the Sigma. However, I haven't decided on whether it will be the C or the S.  I'm going to look at the Tamron once more before deciding.  I will be ordering my lens on July 11 or 12 so I have a few days to compare all three.  I will let you know once I've decided.  So do you own the Tamron G2 ?     Cheers, Joe 

[JFG]

Wow, nice shots, Trevor !  A picture really is worth a thousand words.  In this case 9 pictures are worth more than words can describe  !  Thank you for going out and taking pictures with the R6 Mark II and Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary.  I can see for myself that the combo works great !  👍   

[Tronhard]

Your appreciation is appreciated! 🙂

This, and the other test sets I have taken will, I hope, mean that the merits of one lens over another are not impacted by compatibility with the R6II, but can be then considered for their inherent merits.
For me, the criteria for choices come down to budget, subject, and output.
When I have been looking, in the context of wildlife photography, my choices have been:
The Canon EF 100--400MkII, the Sigma 150-600c, Sigma 150-600s, Sigma 60-600s, Tamron 150-600 G2, Canon RF 100-500L
I did not try the Tamron, not because it is a bad unit - I knew and respected Ernie's opinion on this, but also looked at in-depth reviews, and the consensus was that there were pro's and con's for each and they were roughly equal. In the end the decider was because the Tamron was unavailable in my little corner of the world when I was going through this exercise, also I was familiar with Sigma lenses and have the docking station.
So, I chose the two Sigmas:150-600c and 60-600s, and the Canon 100-500L - I already have the EF 100-400L MkII.

Of all of those, without doubt IMHO, the best performer on a R-series body is the RF 100-500, but that comes at a hefty price and one could get any two of the other lenses for the same investment and likely still have money left over.  Still, I could afford to indulge myself so I got that as well!  If one had to choose one lens, considering range, value for money and quality, I would seriously consider the 150-600 (either Tamron or Sigma) or the 60-600s (which is an amazing optic).   If budget was not great issue, then the 100-500 comes to the fore.