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Author Topic: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500  (Read 554 times)

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Offline Gordon McGeachie

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Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« on: June 13, 2010, 10:17:25 PM »
I have decided that I need some longer reach than my 20 year old Sigma 400 is giving me.

I have narrowed it down to a choice of the 3 in the title but cant really decide on which one to get.

Another option is to go for the 500 mirror, which may be the cheaper, but more restricting, offer.

Help..........................opinions please from owners of these lens`
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Offline Rob aka [minolta mad]

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2010, 07:24:52 PM »
I had the 170-500 and found it 'wanting' on the A700.
Focus was slow and it wasn't sharp until f/8 @500mm.

I have heard the 50-500 is better, but personally id go for the Tamron 200-500.
i have seen some images at 100% from it (admittedly on a Nikon) and was impressed with what i saw.
The Tamron always seems to come out better in all the tests i have seen comparing the two.


Rob
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Offline vaughaag

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2010, 07:53:07 PM »
There is one (Tamron) on eBay atm for £700.

Dave
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Offline balacau

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2010, 09:41:54 PM »
Is there any difference in image & build quality between the 150-500 and 50-500?

I am a little unsure why someone would choose a 150-500 over a 50-500, surely this means needing to carry another zoom that would cover the 70-150 bracket?

I really need to get myself a Tamron zoom lens one of these days but I certainly read these threads with interest.

Best regards

Gavin

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Offline Stef.

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2010, 01:35:23 AM »
Gavin - the reason why some people choose the 150-500mm over the 50-500mm is exactlyu because it does nto cover such a huge range and one usually expects the lens to perform better if the range is smaller. Now- there have been issues for SOME people with Sigma lenses on Sony cameras, but I have to say I would not have the slightest quandries about buying another Sigma lens (And I have quite a few ;) ) Strangely enough though in this particular case the Sigma 50-500mm lens appears to be th sharper one of the two particularly at the long end. I can't confirm this personally but have read about it. Hopefully somebody with more knowledge will be able to advise you a bit better.
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Offline chappo1

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2010, 08:29:48 AM »
Pity about the distance Gordon...I took a look at your profile and see you are in Yorkshire which is a bit too far from Melbourne Downunder to borrow my 50-500 Bigma for a try.
Since I bought the Sony 70-300G I have not used the Sigma much and would consider selling it to you if you were closer.
Because the 70-300G is only 800 grams I tend to use it as my walkabout the park and shoot birds lens and only put the Bigma on if it is a bright day and I do not have to carry it far.
None of my comments are scientifically tested just my gut feel...
Of course the reach of 500mm is better than 300mm but the 70-300G performs pretty well wide open at 300mm.  My Bigma is a little soft at 500mm wide open (in my view) but fine at F8. 
If you can afford it, I would look at the 70-400G which can take a teleconverter to get you in the 500 range if you need more length.  I have looked at it myself but then I am back in the 1.5kg territory and I am not strong enough to carry it far.....john
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Offline Barkingspider

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2010, 03:49:29 PM »
Hi Gordon

I have just upgraded from my 20 year old Sigma 400 to the Sigma 150-500mm HSM OS and my friend has the Sigma 50-500mm Bigma (old version non HSM OS)the reason I brought the 150 was basically price new it was £694 whereas the bigma new is £1200 (the new ones got HSM & OS as well). I have used both lens on the 2 camera's that I own A550 & A700 the 150 is definitely the quicker focusing of the 2 lens on the A550 however on the A700 the bigma is quicker focusing, my friend has a A700 and agrees on his A700 the bigma is quicker as well, I think it might have something to do with the HMS motor on the older A700 body, however the 150 still is a very good lens and at F8 is very sharp, as for weight  it feels a little lighter than the bigma and I regularly carry it all day when out down our local nature reserve, as for the range well my friends and mine very rarely come down from 500mm so it's not an issue for me.

Derek
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Offline Gordon McGeachie

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2010, 09:29:01 PM »
Thanks Derek..........

There is some food for thought there,do you have to use a monopod,(that would be something else to buy, and maybe a quick release head aswell).

Its good to see that the 150 is sharp at F8, as I dont see me going to a smaller aperture for the type of photography that I want it for, birding etc

I would dearly love the 70-400 G from Sony, but the asking price is too great, just like most of their top of the range glass.

So its looking like, `the best of the rest` without going berserk on the budget......
« Last Edit: June 15, 2010, 09:31:11 PM by Gordon McGeachie »
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Offline Faldrax

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2010, 10:17:12 PM »
Quote from: Barkingspider on June 15, 2010, 03:49:29 PM
... I have used both lens on the 2 camera's that I own A550 & A700 the 150 is definitely the quicker focusing of the 2 lens on the A550 however on the A700 the bigma is quicker focusing, my friend has a A700 and agrees on his A700 the bigma is quicker as well, I think it might have something to do with the HMS motor on the older A700 body...
Out of interest, is the 150-500 the same speed on both?
IE is it the high torque AF motor on the A700 making the Bigma quicker on the A700, while the A550 has a lower torque AF motor leaving the Bigma slower?
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Offline Barkingspider

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2010, 10:52:46 PM »
I haven't used it with a tripod as of yet I hand hold as I walk around the reserve I don't find it a problem, however I'm not holding it to my eye for long periods only when I'm taking the shots.

 I know its recommended that if using a bigma on the A700 you set the focusing speed to slow to reduce the chance of gear stripping as the motor on the A700 is known to be quite torquey so maybe that is the reason its slower on the A550 (less torque). Of course that could be another reason to get the 150 or a brand new bigma the gears won't strip because it uses the lens hypersonic motor and not the camera's AF motor.

The 150 is slower on the A700 than on the A550

If I was looking at buying one today I think that I would get a 150 or brand new bigma to go with one of the newer Sony models (230,290,380,390,450,500 & 550) for the older models (100,200,300,350 &700) I would look at getting a used older style bigma.

Of course then there's the Tamron 200-500 I haven't used one yet but I read plenty of reviews stating that its a great lens and is equal if not better than the bigma.

Derek
« Last Edit: June 15, 2010, 10:56:43 PM by Barkingspider »
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Offline Twah

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Re: Sigma 150-500,Sigma50-500 or Tamron 200-500
« Reply #10 on: July 12, 2010, 01:54:54 AM »
I have the Tamron 200-500 and I really like it. I've read plenty of things stating the tamron is sharper than the sigma 150-500 and plus our sony's have steady shot so that is what spurred me to get the tamron (plus I have nothing but tamrons besides the Sony 50mm). I have several owl and hawk shots and they are really sharp for the somewhat cloudy conditions they were shot in.
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