First shots Bigma 50-500

Borderfox

Finally got to take some shots in anger with the Bigma, I had a few tests with it already (moon and birds) but last weekend was its first outing to a Polo tournament. Turned out that good that I didn't use my 70-200 f2.8 at all with the range of the 500mm and down to 50mm. Focusing is really quick on par with my Sigma 70-200 f2.8. IQ from what I found was excellent and everybody was delighted with their shots. More than anything else I found I could be more creative with the framing of shots and try other things while still following the action. I was curious to see what this lens could do in a sporting setting as most examples are of birds or the moon (except for Calina's Kitesurfing)I took about 600 shots on the Saturday and 700 on the Sunday and in terms of focusing about 92-95% are bang on others I have put down to trying to focus through clouds of dust at the 500mm end and operator error so no real worries there. All these shots were taken at ISO 400 and between 1/500th and 1/800th and on shutter priority. Monopod used for all shots. Zoom ring starting to free up too which will make things a lot handier. All shots taken as JPEG's straight out the camera with just a touch of extra contrast to bring things out of the dust. C&C welcome as usual.

1/800th f6.3 ISO 400 363mm


1/640th f9.0 ISO 400 313mm


1/800th f9.0 ISO 400 500mm

TelePaul

Quite simply amazing.

DaireQuinlan

Hah. That second shot is great. The expression on the guys face is priceless.

Borderfox

Thanks guys, excellent tournament. Handy having the Bigma on a monopod wouldnt fancy hand-holding all day. Excellent versatility if you have enough light.

Calina

It's a really cool lens, isn't it? I didn't have such a good day with mine yesterday but some of the photos that have come out of it so far are amongst the best I've taken. And the focussing is just great on it...

elven

Scary gear! Excellent pics - you really got in on the action there. You can tell, I think, that you have more freedom with your framing too.

Borderfox

I have to say I love it. I didnt pixel peep all of Saturday and only had a look when I downloaded to the laptop and I was a very happy man to see the quality of what came out. When the zoom ring frees up more is will be superb. Thanks for the comments.

GristlyEnd

Second one is fantastic. If you don't mind me asking, where did you purchase it and how much? I'm looking for something similiar myself.

Fenster

/drool

311

Deadly shots ,I would have thought you'd see some haze ,because of the distance .They're very clear

Ruu_Old

Great work.

rymus

this is greatly helping my humming and hawing about buying this lens... I'd second Darren's question. Was this a hong kong purchase?

Borderfox

I got it in the camera centre in Blanchardstown. I have made a point of any Sigma purchases I make are to be made in Dublin. That way I can check sharpness and exchange if neccessary, touch wood I havent had to bring one back. Price paid was €1100 and I picked up a Sigma 86mm UV filter for €80. I am not too pushed about paying more because I will be using it for working and should make this cost back. Thanks for the comments, I thought I would see some haze but didn't turn out that way. Monster of a lens, very well made. No wobbling at all when fully extended, and nicely balanced on a monopod.

gandalf

Jaysus they are absolutely class. Want one of these lenses now

(how much will it hurt me ??)

Borderfox

€1100, I know they can be had for a lot cheaper in Hong Kong. Thanks Gandalf

rymus

over a grand and they didnt throw in a filter for free? I'd have horsewhipped them... but only because it seems apt in the context of the thread.

Borderfox

One more. All shots are uncropped apart from the second one above.

1/640th f6.3 ISO 400 226mm

Borderfox

1/800th f5.6 ISO 400 313mm


100% Crop of the above shot. f5.6 which is wide open at this FL.


Nothing done to these the same way they came out of the camera. All parameters on the camera are set to default (sharpening/contrast/saturation)