Turkey Vulture on wing as seen through the Sigma150-600mm F5-6.3 Sports lens. 1/1600 F6.3 at 600mm at ISO 500 on a Canon 6D. Focus limiter set to 10m-Infinity
With a significantly updated optical design and feature set over the earlier lens, this Sports lens is designed for capturing images in even extreme real-world conditions that wildlife and outdoor photographers often encounter. Splash-proof and dust-proof design, along with two Optical Stabilizer modes, focus limiter and a newly designed tripod collar are just a few of the upgrades to this new superstar in the Sports line-up.
The 4x zoom range offers a lot of versatility. Here’sthe view of the heavy duty dump truck at 600mm.And here is the same scene, at 150mm, with focus shifted to the foreground rock formation above the quarry.
I was able to sneak a lens away for a few days of field-testing in advance of its appearance at PhotoPlus. Check out the video below for a rundown of its features and performance, and enjoy the first test images we’ve made with this incredible new lens.
An overhead jet climbs in its flight path after departing Newark Airport, as seen through the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports lens at 600mm F/9 ISO 500.A butterfly alights on a clover flower, as seen by the 150-600mm at 600mm, wide open at F6.3, near the close-focus limit of this lens.A turkey vulture rests atop an industrial chimney to keep warm on a chilly morning, seen from a block and a half away at 600mm through the new Sports lens, wide open at F6.3. 1/640 F6.3 ISO 800 on a 6D. This lens is nice and sharp, even wide open and fully zoomed!Panning test shot at 1/60 second at F/16 at 600mm. I was tracking this moving van at 600mm while handholding the lens in OS mode 2, which detects and corrects for vertical or horizontal panning motion. Notice the motion blur on the foreground fencepost.Optical Stabilizer demo shot at 460mm at 1/80 second. Notice the streaked raindrops behind the trapeze bar. This lens isn’t afraid of some rain!
Autofocus is very responsive, perfect from tracking moving objects, like a turkey vulture on wing at the Hawk Watch platform in Bridgewater, NJ. 1/1600 F6.3 ISO 500.
Jack Howard is a lifelong photographer and author of two editions of the how-to book, Practical HDRI. Based in Central Jersey, Jack's go-to photography spots are backroads and beaches of his home state. He loves to travel far and wide with his wife and daughter, visiting national parks, museums, tropical islands and more along the way.
I think sports sigma is going to be the better super zoom lens out there for some time, But better means in comparison to consumer lenses like Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400mm L, Sigma 50-500mm, etc.
As an enthusiastic wildlife photographer (I currently use Nikon AF-D 300mm F4) i am contemplating to pre-order this lens or go for Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens, which is available to buy at around 2,200 US Dollars (mint condition, which is a bargain price considering that MSRP is 4.999 US$).
My biggest concern is Image quality possible with Sigma Sports lens and how it compares to the venerable Nikon 300mm f4 (with or without 1.4 TC) or the only affordable long prime available (Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM)
If you have any experience with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 prime or Nikon/Canon 300mm/f4 or 400/5.6 prime lenses, what lens do you think offer the better image quality when mounted on a tripod.
I think sports sigma is going to be the better super zoom lens out there for some time, But better means in comparison to consumer lenses like Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400mm L, Sigma 50-500mm, etc.
As an enthusiastic wildlife photographer (I currently use Nikon AF-D 300mm F4) i am contemplating to pre-order this lens or go for Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens, which is available to buy at around 2,200 US Dollars (mint condition, which is a bargain price considering that MSRP is 4.999 US$).
My biggest concern is Image quality possible with Sigma Sports lens and how it compares to the venerable Nikon 300mm f4 (with or without 1.4 TC) or the only affordable long prime available (Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM)
If you have any experience with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 prime or Nikon/Canon 300mm/f4 or 400/5.6 prime lenses, what lens do you think offer the better image quality when mounted on a tripod.
None of this matters, since Sigma is one of many that snub Nikon users always releasing product for Nikon months after other mounts. I’ll just get along with my trusty 80-400 for now.
There’s no end to it. I have the Sigma 150-500 since it came out and so far happy with it. Not worth it for me to sell upgrade for that extra 100. If I could afford it I’d go for that new 300-800 🙂
I’m concerned about when it is going to ship. I read it was expected to ship out in Oct 2014 and I pre ordered one. Now the bird migraintions are here – Tundra swans, pelicans, greese – but my new lens isn’t. Soon it will be snowing and if its not shipping soon I may cancel the order shop around before spring.
But I really would like the lens to get the migrating swans.
Great looking lens, another cutting edge product from Sigma.
If there’s one thing I can’t bear is the snapping in and out of the focus and zoom range barrels, the way Mr Howard does this in the video won’t do the lens any good and it wouldn’t be too long before it’s back at Sigma service needing repairs!
Hey Manoj, today’s quality of the lenses you mentioned regarding with respect to worrying about image quality, I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to really see any major differences, these are all lenses of the highest standards and a working level, your not going to have to worry about any of these lenses. I’ve found using prime and zooms on various types of photography assignments I’d choose zooms over primes, main reason being the flexibility of taking various zoom length shots when you simply don’t have time to change lenses, I’ve always used Sigma Pro range lenses and have never had any problems with in comparisons in quality differences between a zoom and prime. On a day to day basis for years I worked with Sigma and Canon lenses especially the Canon F2.8 70-200mm, (the award winning one several years back) and my trusty 100-300mm Sigma f4 HSM, let me tell you Canon one didn’t come close to the Sigma one for 2 reasons, I found this Sigma lenses faster everytime and the quality of framing shot’s at speed again blew the at the time “lightning speed” hyped at the time Canon away, the Sigma zooms like the one above is simply in the hand smooth to use, the Canon would hunt and clunk in and out to the point where you could actually feel the clunk inside the lenses, so I wouldn’t worry about quality, choose the lenses that suits your requirements, I would feel limited with the prime 500mm, I’m sure 99% of the time when shooting I’d want less or more focal length that I was getting at this range.
I’m not biased between the Sigma, Canon or Nikon brands, I’ve only had a little experience with Nikon products and have been impressed, I have used both Sigma and Canon bodies and pro range lenses kits for over 20 years as a professional and still do today, so hope the above helps you a little.
My name is Tord S Eriksson and I am a mere amateur, but I must say the Sigma 150-600 Sport has impressed me a lot, during the months I owned mine. It is a bit heavy, I’d better say front heavy, when zoomed out, in contrast with the Nikon 80-400 AF-S VR I had before, which sold after a lot of use, and got the Sport instead.
But in every other way it is a winner, with lightning-fast focusing (even more so after the latest firmware upgrade), and it very rarely hesitates at all, in sharp contrast to the older long lenses I’ve owned, both Nikons, and Sigmas.
For BIF, handheld, I find it best to sit down on a bench, or a stool, as then you can relax between the shots, cradling the lens, and the camera, in your lap, as the two together are a bit hefty in weight, at least I find it so, being soon a pensioner.
Other than the weight (when you zoom the entire lens assembly moves forward, so the centre of gravity moves forward quite a lot), I have nothing to complain about.
Sigma has improved their telephoto zooms a lot through the years, and this is a lens among the better there are, period!
On a tripod it is a delight, but if you use a lighter camera, like all mine are, it is very helpful to use a longer foot than the one that comes with the lens, which is in itself fairly long! I solved it by attaching a 150mm Sirui Arca-Swiss style rail, sticking out forward about 100mm, but there are lots of other options!
In short, a delight, and a lens I will keep for as long as I am able to use it!
When using the 150-600s canon mount with the sigma converter on a L body camera will there be specific firmware available? I’m considering going to the Panasonic L mount full size mirrorless camera and as a back up I will also go with Sigma’s new compact full frame mirrorless body. My intention is to only buy L mount lenses from now on as this system makes sense. But I do have a investment in canon mounts I intend to hold on to these too.
A added note I have been using for video B-4 mount lenses and cameras for years and at 10,000.00and up per lens that system has worked well as it’s impossible to own a set of lenses at those $$$ for each camera make. I’m finally glad that Sigma and it’s partners have made the bold move to a universal mount that Sony, Panisonic, JVC and others made years ago for their broadcasts video cameras. Take care David Dahlquist DP, photog and television cameraman
I think sports sigma is going to be the better super zoom lens out there for some time, But better means in comparison to consumer lenses like Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400mm L, Sigma 50-500mm, etc.
As an enthusiastic wildlife photographer (I currently use Nikon AF-D 300mm F4) i am contemplating to pre-order this lens or go for Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens, which is available to buy at around 2,200 US Dollars (mint condition, which is a bargain price considering that MSRP is 4.999 US$).
My biggest concern is Image quality possible with Sigma Sports lens and how it compares to the venerable Nikon 300mm f4 (with or without 1.4 TC) or the only affordable long prime available (Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM)
If you have any experience with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 prime or Nikon/Canon 300mm/f4 or 400/5.6 prime lenses, what lens do you think offer the better image quality when mounted on a tripod.
Thank you
I think sports sigma is going to be the better super zoom lens out there for some time, But better means in comparison to consumer lenses like Tamron 150-600, Canon 100-400mm L, Sigma 50-500mm, etc.
As an enthusiastic wildlife photographer (I currently use Nikon AF-D 300mm F4) i am contemplating to pre-order this lens or go for Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens, which is available to buy at around 2,200 US Dollars (mint condition, which is a bargain price considering that MSRP is 4.999 US$).
My biggest concern is Image quality possible with Sigma Sports lens and how it compares to the venerable Nikon 300mm f4 (with or without 1.4 TC) or the only affordable long prime available (Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX DG HSM)
If you have any experience with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 prime or Nikon/Canon 300mm/f4 or 400/5.6 prime lenses, what lens do you think offer the better image quality when mounted on a tripod.
Thank you
None of this matters, since Sigma is one of many that snub Nikon users always releasing product for Nikon months after other mounts. I’ll just get along with my trusty 80-400 for now.
There’s no end to it. I have the Sigma 150-500 since it came out and so far happy with it. Not worth it for me to sell upgrade for that extra 100. If I could afford it I’d go for that new 300-800 🙂
Could you give us a set of numbers regarding focal length to f-stop? Where is it at 150, 300, 400, 500 and 600?
I’m concerned about when it is going to ship. I read it was expected to ship out in Oct 2014 and I pre ordered one. Now the bird migraintions are here – Tundra swans, pelicans, greese – but my new lens isn’t. Soon it will be snowing and if its not shipping soon I may cancel the order shop around before spring.
But I really would like the lens to get the migrating swans.
Great looking lens, another cutting edge product from Sigma.
If there’s one thing I can’t bear is the snapping in and out of the focus and zoom range barrels, the way Mr Howard does this in the video won’t do the lens any good and it wouldn’t be too long before it’s back at Sigma service needing repairs!
Hey Manoj, today’s quality of the lenses you mentioned regarding with respect to worrying about image quality, I’m sure you’d be hard pressed to really see any major differences, these are all lenses of the highest standards and a working level, your not going to have to worry about any of these lenses. I’ve found using prime and zooms on various types of photography assignments I’d choose zooms over primes, main reason being the flexibility of taking various zoom length shots when you simply don’t have time to change lenses, I’ve always used Sigma Pro range lenses and have never had any problems with in comparisons in quality differences between a zoom and prime. On a day to day basis for years I worked with Sigma and Canon lenses especially the Canon F2.8 70-200mm, (the award winning one several years back) and my trusty 100-300mm Sigma f4 HSM, let me tell you Canon one didn’t come close to the Sigma one for 2 reasons, I found this Sigma lenses faster everytime and the quality of framing shot’s at speed again blew the at the time “lightning speed” hyped at the time Canon away, the Sigma zooms like the one above is simply in the hand smooth to use, the Canon would hunt and clunk in and out to the point where you could actually feel the clunk inside the lenses, so I wouldn’t worry about quality, choose the lenses that suits your requirements, I would feel limited with the prime 500mm, I’m sure 99% of the time when shooting I’d want less or more focal length that I was getting at this range.
I’m not biased between the Sigma, Canon or Nikon brands, I’ve only had a little experience with Nikon products and have been impressed, I have used both Sigma and Canon bodies and pro range lenses kits for over 20 years as a professional and still do today, so hope the above helps you a little.
My name is Tord S Eriksson and I am a mere amateur, but I must say the Sigma 150-600 Sport has impressed me a lot, during the months I owned mine. It is a bit heavy, I’d better say front heavy, when zoomed out, in contrast with the Nikon 80-400 AF-S VR I had before, which sold after a lot of use, and got the Sport instead.
But in every other way it is a winner, with lightning-fast focusing (even more so after the latest firmware upgrade), and it very rarely hesitates at all, in sharp contrast to the older long lenses I’ve owned, both Nikons, and Sigmas.
For BIF, handheld, I find it best to sit down on a bench, or a stool, as then you can relax between the shots, cradling the lens, and the camera, in your lap, as the two together are a bit hefty in weight, at least I find it so, being soon a pensioner.
Other than the weight (when you zoom the entire lens assembly moves forward, so the centre of gravity moves forward quite a lot), I have nothing to complain about.
Sigma has improved their telephoto zooms a lot through the years, and this is a lens among the better there are, period!
On a tripod it is a delight, but if you use a lighter camera, like all mine are, it is very helpful to use a longer foot than the one that comes with the lens, which is in itself fairly long! I solved it by attaching a 150mm Sirui Arca-Swiss style rail, sticking out forward about 100mm, but there are lots of other options!
In short, a delight, and a lens I will keep for as long as I am able to use it!
Addendum to my previous comment:
After having used over a year I have found that I more and more use it hand-held, sitting down in a camping chair, or using it on a monopod.
In both cases I have now OS on, while I earlier used it on a sturdy Gitzo tripod, OS off.
No new issues, no problems of any kind.
When using the 150-600s canon mount with the sigma converter on a L body camera will there be specific firmware available?
I’m considering going to the Panasonic L mount full size mirrorless camera and as a back up I will also go with Sigma’s new compact full frame mirrorless body.
My intention is to only buy L mount lenses from now on as this system makes sense. But I do have a investment in canon mounts I intend to hold on to these too.
A added note I have been using for video B-4 mount lenses and cameras for years and at 10,000.00and up per lens that system has worked well as it’s impossible to own a set of lenses at those $$$ for each camera make. I’m finally glad that Sigma and it’s partners have made the bold move to a universal mount that Sony, Panisonic, JVC and others made years ago for their broadcasts video cameras.
Take care
David Dahlquist
DP, photog and television cameraman