EOS R7: Looking to purchase Sigma 150-600

[cain38]

I currently own a canon EOS R7 and am looking to purchase a new affordable telephoto lens with more reach than my current 400mm f5.6 for wildlife photography.I’ve been doing some research online and am leaning towards the sigma 150-600 . I’m aware of the pulsing issue this lens has at close ranges which doesn’t seem too much of an issue to me. The thing I’m hesitant about is the supposed unreliability photographing birds in flight. Has anyone got any personal experience photographing birds in flight on this lens who could share there experience with it?

[Waddizzle]

Welcome!

First off, there’s no pulsing issue at closer distances.  The only problem is operator error. You can’t focus inside the minimum focus distance.  Apparently someone didn’t know that it increases as you zoom out to longer focal lengths. The issue can appear when you shoot from a tripod with image stabilization enabled.  

I do not recommend major investments in EF mount lenses.  There’s also the added cost of a mount adapter.  If you’re new to using a 600mm lens on a crop sensor camera, then you may want to consider a monopod or tripod for longer shooting sessions. 

There are Canon RF mount lenses in the same price range as the Sigma and the adapter.  

[March411]

Waddizzle has a good point, for a couple bucks (really around $700) more you can purchase the RF 200-800mm and build your RF system.

If the additional cost is an issue the Sigma is a real nice lens. I have the EF 60-600mm and use it across several of my Canon MILC bodies and it works great for BIF.

I did have some challenges when moving to mirror-less but the folks @ Canon support let me know I needed to update the Sigma firmware, since doing that the lens has been solid. If you go with the Sigma just make sure it has the latest firmware. I looked and the firmware download is still available (Ver.2.02 2019.11.21) for the 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary (Canon EF mount). If you buy it new just make sure that the vendor updates the firmware prior to shipping.

And do yourself a favor, buy the EF to RF adapter without the control ring. On a lens that big using it fluidly for action is kind of a pain, it sits to close to the camera body.

A decently sharp image with a Sigma @ 600mm

[kvbarkley]

This is on a T6S, and not so good, but...

I bet that the "pulsing" can be fixed with the focus limiter.

[March411]

Hey kvbarkley, have you done a firmware update on the lens? The pulsing/racking on my Sigma's were resolved with the update. I had an issue with two, the EF100-400 and the EF 60-600 until I updated. It also allows you to tweak the lens settings to improve IQ.

The Sigma USB Dock for Canon EF-Mount lenses is about $40 new and used for about $24 and well worth the investment if you like the lens. Check out the reviews on B&H, most mentioned noticeable improvement.

[kvbarkley]

I have the Tamron. So no dock and no firmware update unless I send it in.

[March411]

Understood, the third party suppliers don't make it easy to keep a lens current, either you send the lens back, or buy the Sigma dock/Tamron TAP-in Console. Personally I believe they (lens and dock) should be a package when you buy the lens new.

[ebiggs1]

"... for a couple bucks (really around $700) more you can purchase the RF 200-800mm and build your RF system."

I, too, agree that you need to go RF if possible. However, sometimes I realize it isn't always possible especially if cost is the major factor. However if I was buying today it would be the Tamron 150-600mm G2 model, not the first model make sure it is the G2. If the G2 isn't possible then the SIgma C would be my third option. Canon, Tamron G2, Sigam C.

"...then you may want to consider a monopod or tripod for longer shooting sessions."  Absolutely not if BIF is your main goal. A tripod and even a monopod will guarantee you will fail at BIF. Even sports photography is difficult with a tripod where a monopod is not as bad. If you want to set up in a blind or shoot the Moon then a tripod is great.

[ebiggs1]

"I’m aware of the pulsing issue this lens has at close ranges which doesn’t seem too much of an issue to me."

I either have or have had every model of the super zooms made from the 150-500mm Sigma and 200-500mm Tamron to the most current model with the exception of the Sigma 60-600mm which I see as a joke. None have shown me any pulsating issues. None, but I am shooting Canon 1 Series cameras. Some Sigma 150-500mm have IS or OS as Sigma calls it problems but get a good one and you have a good one.

Why is the Sigma 60-600mm a joke you ask? Ok you talked me into it, I'll explain.  Nobody buys a super zoom to use it at 150mm let alone 60mm. There are way better choice for that. You will be at the long end of a super zoom way more than the short end. Another good reason for the Canon 200-800m because 200mm makes far better sense than 150mm or the ridiculous 60mm.