First Bird Shoot advice....

Well after a struggle I think I got the gear right and working well Bigma 150-500mm D7100 best at f8/11 fast shutter speeds to freeze motion and do raw/Jpeg in slots 1/2. Bought some 95 mb/s cards
dont go much for tripods and not sure on the OS ..have I read that over 1/250 it does not work ? Others saying it deteriorates the quality in some circumstaces ....
so I think that the question area OS (VR ) and when to use and is it setting 1 or 2 on the Bigma

VR / OS can made a shot less sharp if the camera is on a stable tripod, but otherwise it should be on - I don't know which mode to use as I don't have that lens, but I would imagine one mode will be for "Full" VR, as in countering vibration in all directions, and the other will be to allow panning, for example for motor racing where it will counter vertical movement, but not horizontal.

eta: Have you got a monopod? If not, you will find it very useful - Especially when you try holding that lens steady for a few hours. You still use VR / OS with a monopod.

VR,OS on unless on a tripod as Steve said,i think its 1 on that lens but if you download the info sheet it will tell you which one for normal use,we did some tests on the forum and where unable to prove high shutter speeds and VR dont work well,some of the shots i did where OS on @1/4000 so my advice is leave it on untill you find what speed you can work with out it.

Thanks folks ..now I discover that the Lock on the lens does not work . I specifically said to the seller "are there any undisclosed issues" so it sounds like back it goes and am going to buy a new one .....arrrgh

Love Nikon said:

Thanks folks ..now I discover that the Lock on the lens does not work . I specifically said to the seller "are there any undisclosed issues" so it sounds like back it goes and am going to buy a new one .....arrrgh

Click to expand...

Be quick if you want a new one,my dealer told me today he had just had his last consignment of these.

Just tossing this out there, but I have a 150-500mm Sigma that I've been using for all my wildlife stuff for the last 4 years. It's seen a lot of work but it's in excellent condition cosmetically and physically. I'm seriously looking at the Sigma 150-600mm Sport and would need to sell this to justify that. If you get stuck finding one and are interested in going used let me know.

Thanks BDH but the import duty would be too much ..found an ex demo with 3 year Sigma warrantee at a good price and the pratts who sold me the defective one are sending a courier to collect it and giveing a refund ,,,only problem now is when I pull it out in the Somme marshlands because the wife does not know I got it or how big it is ( sorry dont get confused been married 43 years ) ha ha Iva Bigma.....as the story goes ...

Thanks all for your help....

As the owner of a 50/500 sigma lens, I will recommend you stick with the VR setting all the time for birds. Regardless of your upper body and arm strength the sigma lens is a bear to hold for extended periods of time. Depending on what you are shooting a quality tri pod and ball head will be your best friend.

Are you guys using a UV filter ...all my experiments with more normal focal lengths show a slight deterioraton in IQ with a UV filter ...

so whats your take on UV and BIF

Love Nikon said:

Are you guys using a UV filter ...all my experiments with more normal focal lengths show a slight deterioraton in IQ with a UV filter ...

so whats your take on UV and BIF

Click to expand...

You are the only one that can prove it then

Just joking,when the filter or not question comes up some always says it adversely effects IQ,i have yet to see any proof,my advice is if your using it out side in dusty,pollen laden atmosphere filter on,the lens hood only protects from certain impact damage not for something nasty and sticky getting on it.

I did quite a few photos of walls with and without and it was always possible to tell ...not sure if I still got the images but they are on Nikon Forum somewhere...

I agree best to have it on

It seems my trip to france has put me next to a bird reserve with hides etc Parc du Marquenterre Le Crotoy so we will see ...( if the next Bigma is fault free !!!)