Sigma 150/500

Good day to you all, I have seen a used 150/500 in my local camera center. I am very tempted but was wondering if anybody on the forum has got one and what are there opinions regarding performance at all levels.

Thank you

 

I think @ARMANDII has one, from 2013

 

Thanks ArmandII and Woo for your replies, seems a bargain at £399, canon lens is far too expensive although much better

 

ArmandII hasn't replied yet, I quoted a 2013 post of his.

You can get a brand new one from SRS Microsytems for £449, only £50 more than secondhand. I think it might be a one day offer and has to be purchased today, as it's not got onto Camerapricebuster yet. Is this the right one? http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/si...Jmj7RWkVlCaFHF5Yzr6kY0_3LSkfCOLqPkaAjlj8P8HAQ

 

Sorry Scrungee, will have to get my eyes checked. Yes that is the lens i'm looking at

 

I purchased the Sigma 150-600 new and it is a fantastic lens. It is heavy though and I don't hand hold it much. For use on a tripod, I added a gimbal head and that makes using it much easier.

The photo of the Ring-Billed Gull was taken at 600mm, hand held with no image stabilization, but is still acceptable.

 

Recently I added a 2X converter to use with the Sigma 150-600 mm lens. You lose a few f-stops and you can not use auto-focus or image stabilization while using it. I knew that would be the case but I am still glad I added it to my gear. The photo below is not a great photo, however, without the 2X I would not have a photo at all.

 

I added a 2X converter to the Sigma 150-600 and my images were out of focus. Auto-focus will not work when using the converter so I was manually focusing the camera. I found the camera diopter was not adjusted correctly for my eyesight. Once the diopter was adjusted for my vision the lens and converter work fine.

 

Using a camera and relying on strong prescription spectacles is a right PITA. Modern cameras are computers with a lens attached and spectacle wearers deserve something better than a manual wheel for diopter adjustment of the viewfinder that requires re-adjusting everytime you take them on/off.

Who makes camera with diopter adjustments that can be saved as presets and controlled by a function button?

Was the 2x teleconverter reducing the lens aperture to the point where autofocus no longer functioned?

 

The 2X I purchased simply does not work with auto-focus, they tell you that when you purchase it, you must use manual focus and stabilization will not function either. The fault is really mine as I had cataract surgery at the beginning of the year and also laser correction for astigmatism. Now, I no longer have to wear glasses at all, but just never got around to adjusting the diopter on the Nikon. I absolutely love not having to wear glasses anymore, well except to read the newspaper. Once I adjust the diopter it stays adjusted as I am not wearing glasses anymore. My adjustment is one click from null so I made the same adjustment on my other Nikon also.

 

To view an lcd screen I need to remove my glasses, but to see what I'm photographing I need them on, so I occasionally when trying to get a quick shot I look through the EVF and wonder why autofocus isn't working, then check I haven't inadvertently moved the focus clutch on the lens and put it into manual focus, and by time I put my glasses back on it can be too late. A diopter adjustment on/off button would be a boon, and would automatic spectacle detection be beyond the capabilities of camera manufacturers?