Sigma 150-600 first test

Patrick M

Patrick M

Senior Member
This is what's on that link:

Sigma S 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
1. Introduction
In November 2013 Tamron launched the Tamron SP 150–600 mm f/5–6.3 Di VC USD lens. From the very start it has enjoyed very positive reviews and it’s been selling so well that the factory had temporary problems with meeting the market demands.
You didn’t have to wait for the answer of Sigma too long. In fact, less than a year after the launch of the Tamron, during the Photokina 2014 fair, there was not one but two answers presented. The reaction of Sigma was untypical, launching two models with identical 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 parameters. Still if you thought these were two similar constructions just put into different casings you would be wrong. There are many differences between those two and their price is one of them. The cheaper Sigma, belonging to the “Contemporary” line of products, is supposed to be the direct rival of the Tamron. Its more expensive sibling, belonging to the “Sport” line, is optically more complex, more solidly build, weather sealed, physically bigger, heavier and its minimum focusing distance is shorter. That’s how the selection of amateur hyper telephoto zoom lenses has become really interesting – small wonder we waited impatiently when both new Sigmas would find their way to our editorial office.
 
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photogramps

Senior Member
Mike your original link seems to be for the 'S' version ... the 'Sport' version?
If so, with an anticipated price tag of over £2k, I can't see (from an image POV, discounting weather-sealing) why anyone would want it above the Tamron at less than half the cost.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
That's going to be the tough sell for Sigma, and with no real practical side-by-side comparisons the jury isn't even seated, let alone deliberating. For sure, they are hoping the pro-level construction of the Sports series lures some. I expect the AF and IQ will be a notch above the consumer model (and the Tamron). The real question becomes, "$1000 better?!", which it likely won't be for the average hobbyist and casual nature photographer. For the shooting pro and hopeful stringer, I suspect it will be a tempting trade-up. I know what the 120-300mm F2.8 costs and weighs, and a lot of pros are using that with a 1.7-2X TC, which comes in at around $3500-3600. Given them the same or better range, and comparable IQ at almost half the price and 2/3 the weight (at the cost of a stop or two with the TC's) and you may just see these popping up on the sidelines. May.

But hey, they did it smart and offered an undergrad version as well, which in a way will make the other more tempting to some - because if it's this good at $1000, don't I deserve the "better" one?
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
photogramps said:
Mike your original link seems to be for the 'S' version ... the 'Sport' version?
If so, with an anticipated price tag of over £2k, I can't see (from an image POV, discounting weather-sealing) why anyone would want it above the Tamron at less than half the cost.
Click to expand...

It will be interesting,if they have the wrong price point on it in relation to how much better it is then a price reduction could mean in the long term they only sell the one model.
 
BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
I'll attempt to be more lucid tomorrow, but suffice it to say that the Sport version is very different, and the cost is justified if you need the things that justify it. Want a simple, light 150-600mm? The Sigma Contemporary is a small step up over the Tamron. Suffice it to say that the IQ is on par, but if you fork over the $50 for the USB dock you do get the ability to focus tune at 4 different points, which is significant when you're talking about 450mm of range.

The Sport? It's a beast. It focus tracked perfectly and quickly with my D750. The kicker is, even in an exhibit hall I could stick a 2X converter on it (that's a 300-1200mm zoom, folks!!) and it did more than OK. With the 1.4X converter? It was pretty freaking stellar. Yes, yes, it's starting out at F5-6.3, but when I showed the guys in the Sigma booth the image at ISO 12800 from my D750 they were pretty freaking blown away (the guy we spoke to hadn't actually paired the 2X converter with the lens yet since it just started shipping this week).

I will be spending the money on this sucker. It's heavy as heck, but not as heavy as the 120-300mm f2.8, though it's got the same sized front element. It's an oddly placed lens that will not sit easily in a lot of bags because there are so many options other than it that somehow make sense in terms of price, weight and light. But, for nature in particular (I do believe that the 120-300mm f2.8 is the better "sports" lens), this is gonna be a killer. That's effectively 225-900mm on a D7100, and with a 1.4X converter, that's a 315-1260mm F7-9 that should AF in decent light.
 
J

jay_dean

Senior Member
I've been quite impressed with the Tamron 150-600 images that have been posted here. I've been doing some reading on the Siggy 150-600 Sport, showing this to be a better lens. I've gotta say, i'm very, very, very tempted. I'll be watching/reading developments on its actual release closely
 
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