Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports

[richiemccaw1]

Reviews and comments from other forums says the Sport has better offcentre performance. However you would probably need to ask yourself which lens you would be more likely to carry and bring out of your dry cabinet to shoot given the weight difference.

I am at a stage where I would prefer to have a lens that is easier to carry around than to have ultimate image quality.

 

[alfie]

Alfie, dun like that say la...
Good things must share mah. lol

I believe you will love this lens and many nice photos come out from it. Hehe.

haha.. kidding lah, its a good poison, and a great lens.

Reviews and comments from other forums says the Sport has better offcentre performance. However you would probably need to ask yourself which lens you would be more likely to carry and bring out of your dry cabinet to shoot given the weight difference.

I am at a stage where I would prefer to have a lens that is easier to carry around than to have ultimate image quality.

The Sigma 150-600s is built like a tank, very similar to the Sigma 120-300/2.8 (Same filter size/hood design too) Its hefty to carry around, and very tough to use w/o a monopod/tripod. The tamron 150-600/sigma 150-600c is light enough to handhold and walk around with.

 

[scubanel]

Any idea if the Sigma - C class is tested side by side with Tamron ?

 

[izantambi]

Richiemacaw1..thanks for the advise.

 

[alfie]

Anyone got a recommendation for a light weight gymbal/tripod for the Sigma 150-600 sports ? (The only tripod i have is a light travel sirrui t025x and an old manfrotto 055pro with a geared head for my macro, so looking to get another outdoor tripod). I was looking at the Jobu Jr3 deluxe but it seem to borderline on the maximum weight.

 

[coolhand57]

Tripod; being heavy glass, i strongly advice you to bring your gear down to try. Brand wise, i leave it to you but dont compromise.

Head; a Gimbal is great for birding but mount your equipent on to see if anything gets in your way to the zoom and focus ring? Some GH's arm are left while others are right orientated...see which is better suited.

 

[daredevil123]

Anyone got a recommendation for a light weight gymbal/tripod for the Sigma 150-600 sports ? (The only tripod i have is a light travel sirrui t025x and an old manfrotto 055pro with a geared head for my macro, so looking to get another outdoor tripod). I was looking at the Jobu Jr3 deluxe but it seem to borderline on the maximum weight.

i recommend a 3 or 4 series systematic (without center column) legs from sirui. Jobu jr 3 is not bad but the clamp is a little low, so it might get in the way if you use a longer plate. also, a zoom lens will shift in weight, making maintaining balance on a gimbal a little tricky.

 

[alfie]

i recommend a 3 or 4 series systematic (without center column) legs from sirui. Jobu jr 3 is not bad but the clamp is a little low, so it might get in the way if you use a longer plate. also, a zoom lens will shift in weight, making maintaining balance on a gimbal a little tricky.

Thanks ! Good point on the zoom, will need to bring down my camera to test if the weight shift affects. I'll most prob be using it zoom extended (600mm) and balance it off that way.

Gitzo is easy to get, but anyone can recommend a good (friendly) shop to test out the Jobu jr 3 (deluxe) ?

 

[cactibin]

Alfie, have you consider this?

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510916

 

[daredevil123]

Thanks ! Good point on the zoom, will need to bring down my camera to test if the weight shift affects. I'll most prob be using it zoom extended (600mm) and balance it off that way.

Gitzo is easy to get, but anyone can recommend a good (friendly) shop to test out the Jobu jr 3 (deluxe) ?

TK is distributor of jobu and they have the entire series on display for you to try out. Check out the sirui 3, 4 and 5 series legs there. Very impressive, i got the new 5 series recently. Was using the older 4 series from sirui before when i was using the manfrotto 504hd.

 

[Dizzyd]

Alfie

I recently bought this one after considering the $100 - 900 bucks gimbals including sidekick LOL

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh2.htm

Shipping from UK is fast.

 

[daredevil123]

Can also consider the inexpensive manfrotto 393.
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/03/12/review-manfrotto-393-heavy-duty-gimbal/

 

[Anson]

Can also consider the inexpensive manfrotto 393.
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/03/12/review-manfrotto-393-heavy-duty-gimbal/

Curious Albert what is the main draw of using "Gimbal" setup diff from your previous "video ballhead" setup?

 

[daredevil123]

Curious Albert what is the main draw of using "Gimbal" setup diff from your previous "video ballhead" setup?

I am still using fluid video heads for birding. The cheap gimbal is for my cheaper 2nd setup. If i need a 2nd angle set up and/or when a friend without a birding setup wants to join me.

I started with a gimbal actually, the jobu jr3 deluxe. Moved to manfrotto 504hd fluid head. Now with a bigger lens i moved to a Sachtler FSB8T. sold the jobu when a friend needed a gimbal. But bought the cheapo one just for the rare occations when i need to mount my backup lens, the tamron 156.

With a fluid head, it is a lot easier to track fast irratic moving birds. A lot more stable as well, with a lot less vibrations when compared to a gimbal. Gimbals are better for larger birds in flight though but very ill suited if tracking small birds that jump around.

 

[cactibin]

Sharing few shots with Jobu Jr3 Gimball setup.

#Purple Heron

#Parakeet

#looking up

 

[alfie]

I am still using fluid video heads for birding. The cheap gimbal is for my cheaper 2nd setup. If i need a 2nd angle set up and/or when a friend without a birding setup wants to join me.

I started with a gimbal actually, the jobu jr3 deluxe. Moved to manfrotto 504hd fluid head. Now with a bigger lens i moved to a Sachtler FSB8T. sold the jobu when a friend needed a gimbal. But bought the cheapo one just for the rare occations when i need to mount my backup lens, the tamron 156.

With a fluid head, it is a lot easier to track fast irratic moving birds. A lot more stable as well, with a lot less vibrations when compared to a gimbal. Gimbals are better for larger birds in flight though but very ill suited if tracking small birds that jump around.

I checked out the jobu jr3 deluxe, very decent head. Coupled with the gitzo systematic 2, its a neat package.

Question on the manfrotto 504hd / Sachtler FSB8T (and any gitzo/manfrotto/sacthler tripod heads).. If my lens are arca-swiss compatible foots/mounts, how should i mount them securely ?


Cactibin: Nice photos, looks like the monkey is watching the bird

 

[coolhand57]

Alfie, the manfrotto / gitzo tripod heads have their own plates which fits their clamp design. Having said that, the unique plates come with their heads. Or, you can order an adapter plate from ebay or amazon to enable direct slotting of acra-swiss plates without mounting onto the unique plate.

 

[Turbonetics]

I checked out the jobu jr3 deluxe, very decent head. Coupled with the gitzo systematic 2, its a neat package. Question on the manfrotto 504hd / Sachtler FSB8T (and any gitzo/manfrotto/sacthler tripod heads).. If my lens are arca-swiss compatible foots/mounts, how should i mount them securely ? Cactibin: Nice photos, looks like the monkey is watching the bird

Manfrotto and Satchler are big difference.
Moreover if u want a Satchler, u don't need until the 8 series. 6 is good enough.

 

[daredevil123]

I checked out the jobu jr3 deluxe, very decent head. Coupled with the gitzo systematic 2, its a neat package.

Question on the manfrotto 504hd / Sachtler FSB8T (and any gitzo/manfrotto/sacthler tripod heads).. If my lens are arca-swiss compatible foots/mounts, how should i mount them securely ?

Cactibin: Nice photos, looks like the monkey is watching the bird

Manfrotto 501 502 504 and 509 heads all use the same plates. They are not acra swiss compatible. But they are quite standard in the video industry. The same plates can be used for Sachtler FSB6 and FSB8. We usually get long plates with a stabilizer lock to the camera body.

With Sachtler FSB6T, FSB8T (every model with a T at the end) and DV10, they use a different mini plate. Balance is achieved by a sliding mechanism in the top of the fluid head.

For a tamron 156 or sigma 156, fsb8 will be overkill. FSB8 is capable of holding the 400/2.8 at any angle you stop at even with the counter balance spring set at only 4. For tamron 156 a manfrotto 502 will be enough. For the sigma 156s, the manfrotto 504 will be enough. The manfrottos are very value for money. Once you move up to sachtlers the cost jumps exponentially.

 

[Turbonetics]

Manfrotto 501 502 504 and 509 heads all use the same plates. They are not acra swiss compatible. But they are quite standard in the video industry. The same plates can be used for Sachtler FSB6 and FSB8. We usually get long plates with a stabilizer lock to the camera body.

With Sachtler FSB6T, FSB8T (every model with a T at the end) and DV10, they use a different mini plate. Balance is achieved by a sliding mechanism in the top of the fluid head.

For a tamron 156 or sigma 156, fsb8 will be overkill. FSB8 is capable of holding the 400/2.8 at any angle you stop at even with the counter balance spring set at only 4. For tamron 156 a manfrotto 502 will be enough. For the sigma 156s, the manfrotto 504 will be enough. The manfrottos are very value for money. Once you move up to sachtlers the cost jumps exponentially.

I saw your FSB8 feeling tempting..lol
not sure if Cartoni can hold up to it or the latest RRS one.