Sigma 60-600mm?

[GVLCN]

Hi all,

Looking at getting this lens as I’ve read it’s much better than the 150-600mm! I currently have the contemporary version of this lens, have noticed that it is soft at 600mm so I try not to use it at full reach.

However have read that the 60-600mm is sharp at 600mm, has anyone had any experience with this lens or could help me out with advice?

Thanks Andy

[MRTT]

Considering a purchase too, not cheap, that's for sure!

Having read a few reviews, it certainly seems much sharper than the 150-600mm.

[Richard B]

Looking at getting one myself, still have an old 50-500 that's still going strong after 15 years of abusive use.
Been through many rain storms, sleet ,snow, frost and dropped from a 6ft tree stump down a ditch.
Gets baked sometimes in the summer months.
Not sure if the new Bigma 60-600 as the gold ring like the old one does.
The gold ring on the sigma's was I'm told the same like code as Canon use for there L glass lens with the Red ring.

Quick edit, looking up on things, Sigma have dropped the EX gold ring pro glass and now use
C, contemporary
S,sport
A, art

[Weazel69]

well as a guy who bit the bullet so to speak, I have one and really like it. I use a Canon 5D III and in the past used the Canon 100/400 with a 1.4 convertor which I could not get on with so went for a Sigma 150/600S,but the weight was a bit of a draw back especially on windy days.then when Sigma said they were bringing out the 60/600 I was up for it, so when it came out I was over to WEX and when the staff handed over the lens it was like wow, its lighter its shorter and feels more balanced than the 150/600
and then theres this shake reducing on it so you can hand hold easier in windy conditions
Having got it last Oct/Nov when they first came out I can say now having had it a year I am really Happy with it

also to add that I use a Full Frame camera, the 60mm end is far better for the biggies like for example the C5s/B747s ect

[GVLCN]

Thanks that’s great info, I did have the 100-400mm mk 2 but 400mm just isn’t enough reach on a full frame sensor!
Weazel69 would you say it’s sharper that the 150-600mm? Also did you have the 100-400mm mk 2 before switching?

Many thanks Andy

[Weazel69]

the answer to the 100/400 is yes I had both, the mk.II was an improvement on autofocus. but as you rightly say the focal lenght is a bit short for some shooting hence the 1.4 lens convertor, but I would not go down that road again. As for the sharper question I would say yes because of the weight and the stabilsor makes it easier to operate
my suggestion on that one is either find someone who has one, and get to feel the grips of it or go to a store and feel the weight as I am sure that like myself you will feel the difference straight away, I have to say that I feel that the aurofocus on the 60/600 is an improvement. All in all I feel this is a good lens
Not being disrespective but I also noted comment on price, well I feel this lens is good value for money when you look at what Canons 400 & 600 prime lens's are
reading the initial post I note you mention that you have the 150/600c well I had the s version which is heavier, but you will find that the 60/600 is currently only in the s version and when it comes to weight comparisons it comes between both or A its lighter & shorter than the 150/600s but B its heavier than the 150/600c

[GVLCN]

Thanks that’s been very helpful, I was tempted to buy a 100-400mm mk 2 again and buy a converter just because I loved the lens.
Photos with my current lens are great but the hunting on af is quite annoying sometimes & I do feel it could be a little sharper. You’ve definitely sold it to me the extra length in zoom will also mean I won’t have to switch between lenses & keep missing potentially great shots. Especially of the bigger aircraft.

[ghostwave525]

is there really a need? your gonna spend thousands on this lens just because it's sharper if you want sharper images stop it down to around F7.1 OR F8 and if it's still soft for you then just use Photoshop. your not gonna use 600mm very much, i have a 70-300 L IS and that gets the trick done 95% of the time. Don't go around buying a punch of lenses it really doesn't matter learn your camera and lens and learn lightroom and Photoshop and i think you'll be fine. the guys who spend ridiculous amounts of money on lenses are often the worst photographers cause they think the equipment is what's gonna make them a good photographer.

[GVLCN]

Thanks for your input but I know how to take a photograph & I always shoot manual, to me I was always told it’s the glass on the front that counts!

I do edit very little as I’m very fussy with my photos, I know most people will quite happily polish a turd but if I can’t make out the pilots name & the no step signs then it goes straight in the bin.

[ghostwave525]

Thanks for your input but I know how to take a photograph & I always shoot manual, to me I was always told it’s the glass on the front that counts!

I do edit very little as I’m very fussy with my photos, I know most people will quite happily polish a turd but if I can’t make out the pilots name & the no step signs then it goes straight in the bin.

i agree with the glass infront of the camera is what counts but you've already got a nice lens. it's clearly you choice and if you think that's what's necessary to make your images go up a level then go for it but it's alot of money just for sharpness and i don't want you to regret it later on. i have also had that lens but i didn't get rid of it for 1 reason there was a multitude of reasons such as weight, not being able to go lower than 150mm, the minimum F-stop (F5) and also like you said the sharpness. Anyway if you do get it i hope you enjoy it.

[GVLCN]

Yeah thanks I’ll have a good think about it, like you say is a lot of money for what might be a little bit sharper!

Will have a look at a few more reviews, ideally I’ll try one out & go from there!
Thanks for the info guys

[Weazel69]

Hi GVLCN just as a matter of interest how have you got on?? Did you bite the bullet and make the purchase?? or are you waiting that ol' bearded phella - aka - F.Christmas

[GVLCN]

Hi Weazel69 just seen your message, I’ve bought one but only used it once at Cardiff airport on a USAF gulfstream! So strange having the extra range it’s unbelievable, I’ve sold my smaller lens & plan to just use this & my phone in future.

So far so good, I look forward to giving it a proper test on the first spotting trip this year!

Andy

[Weazel69]

Good on yer!! I did see the advert re your smaller lens
I think what you will find is that OS is a great help without realising it, but what I do is inactivate it when I turn my camera off, and then turn my camera on before turning on the OS, because I have read somewhere that if you turn the OS on first then the camera the surge all being small is supposed too shorten the life of the OS motor
I have never contacted Sigma re this as I tend to ere on the safety side first
But I have to say that I am very very happy with my purchase, the only negative being the weight but then again its lighter than the 150/600 that I had
Last year I got some excellant.? shots of what I considered the to be the Big events of the year.Namely FM/F16s at the Heath & Waddo. Have Fun

[GVLCN]

Thanks Weazel69, you’ve got one then? I was wondering why it seems my battery drains quick when I go to actually use it!
I look forward to getting the shots I missed last year, mainly the bombers & u-2 at fairford when it used 09!
Will be so much easier at RIAT too, looking forward to just having this set up & not worry about missing any shots.

[Weazel69]

When you first put this on previous I did inform you I had purchased said lens, in fact I am now in my 2nd year of using it
as for the battery. do you have a handgrip that contains 2 batteries, also do you put your camera on shutdown mode, because I work mine on 1minute because there are times especially like today when I just sat for 5hrs waiting for action
that mention of handgrip should of course read batterygrip

[John flightpath]

I have a Sigma 150-500 C lens.Canon EF fit. A mate of mine from Manchester uses the original Bigma 50-500 on a Nikon. He likes his because he can drop back to 50mm without changing lenses when subjects get a little close. I've thought about about going longer, but recently got a really good rarely used 1.4 Dedicated converter for my lens. So sticking with what I've got for the time being. My only drawback is I can't drop below 150mm, whatever I do, and on a Canon 750d of course, I have the cropped sensor. I guess I have to work with what i've got. You can go on for ever buying lenses in search of perceived perfection. Incidentally I spoke at length with Matthew Mifsud of Mifsuds Brixham and he recommended Sigma lenses all the way as a 3rd party lens for Canon.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.

[Weazel69]

Hi John 'flightpath' I would just like to say good luck to you with the 1.4 convertor as I have been down that path before ( see previous comments )
but I do agree with your comments re it's a neverendless pit of spending. Have to say very happy with the 60/600 agree there is the weight factor but if you want a bigger lens that comes with it.have never looked at what the Canon prime len's weight but when I see people with a 600 or 800 you have to think they weigh a bit
they certainly cost a bit

[John flightpath]

Hi Weazel. I think long term I would have a go at the 60-600 in the Sigma. It would help if they brought out the contemporary version because I could put it to good use for general photography aswell. Might have to have a purge of doing overtime lol. Glad you like your lens though. Its good to hear your thoughts on it. I'll be taking my existing kit to California later this year and give it a proper, prolonged workout, because tbh I don't use it as often as I should.

Happy snapping
John.

[John flightpath]

Incidentally, Does anyone a view or angle of comparison on the Tamron lenses of a similar focal capability. Don't seem to hear too much about them.

Cheers
John 'flightpath'.