[mattyb]

I listened to peoples' advice from here and got a large zoom (Sigma 150-500mm) and a wide angle (Sigma 10-20mm) instead of changing camera. The wide angle hasn't arrived yet but I've been playing with the zoom a bit.

Dunno if its the bad weather (cloudy and overcast, sh1tty light really), but I only 50% in focus so far. Using a tripod as well.

Its HEAVY !! At 2kg (4 lbs.) I don't know how pros carry around D3s or 1D Mark whatevers all day with a decent lens. I had the lens strap around my neck for about 2 hours and that was enough.

When the sun decides to do his job properly I'm going to try some birding and then hopefully some surfers (the primary reason that I bought this thing).

[Thorzdad]

For the most part, the guys I know working with big zooms also do so with the camera on a unipod. They cart the combination around on their shoulder, like toting a gun or heavy tool around.

As for the light/focus problem, as you suspect, you'll be much happier on a bright, sunny day.

[Oisín]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

I'm going to try some surfers (the primary reason that I bought this thing).

Perv.

[OreoCookie]

I would also suggest a monopod. They're not really expensive and quite light. The 150-500 mm is quite slow (f/5-5/6.3, I believe) so in all probability, you need a little help to keep the lens stable.

[Wiskedjak]

Yep, for taking shots a big zoom on anything less than a bright sunny day, you really need at least a monopod. Those lenses are so heavy that it's pretty much impossible to hand-hold and keep them steady. In addition to a monopod, a lens with lower minimum apertures (to let in more light) would also be a great benefit. If the sole purpose for this lens is capturing surfers, you might want to consider a non-zooming telephoto ... perhaps fixed at 400mm. Most decent camera stores offer lens rentals so you can try-before-you-buy.

If you can return your Sigma, I'd go for something like this lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...6L_IS_USM.html
Sacrifice the 500mm and get an aperture range of 4.5-5.6, image stabilization and pro-quality glass. You'll still want a monopod, but you'll get much more usable photos when shooting on anything less than a bright sunny day.

I gotta ask, though, what do you want to do with these photos? To get decent quality shots from a big zoom, you're looking at a lot of $$$ on the glass alone.

[Oisín]

Am I misreading something here?

He said he’s already using a tripod for the camera—are you (Wiskedjak, OreoCookie) saying he should get a monopod for the lens while also keeping the camera on a tripod? Is it really that heavy?

[Thorzdad]

I missed his tripod comment.
MY monopod suggestion was in response to his complaint about the weight and how he was using the neck strap while he was carrying it. A monopod is lighter than a tripod and more convenient, especially when shooting on the run.

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

Am I misreading something here?

He said he’s already using a tripod for the camera—are you (Wiskedjak, OreoCookie) saying he should get a monopod for the lens while also keeping the camera on a tripod? Is it really that heavy?

I have also missed the tripod comment.
However, I have suggested a monopod as a more portable alternative to a tripod. (mattyb complained about lugging around 2 kg + 0.8+ kg + [weight of tripod].)

At these focal lengths (150-500 mm), you need rather fast shutter speeds -- which are hard to attain no matter if he uses a tripod, monopod or shoots free hand. The tripod (or monopod) only helps avoiding camera shake, it doesn't compensate for the movement of the subject. The small initial aperture (f/5-f/6.3) will likely also affect the accuracy of the AF system. To my knowledge most of them are optimized to function up until f/5.6 or so. Add to that the large focussing distance and it's pretty hard for the AF to find focus.

If he really wants to change something, I suggest he has a look at Sigma's 100-300 mm f/4 lens which is supposedly very good. It's just ~15 % more expensive than the Sigma he already owns.

[Wiskedjak]

yep, I also missed the tripod comment.

mattyb, could you post some examples of the shots you've captured so far?

[Railroader]

500mm is very difficult to keep steady, even with a tripod. You have a cropped sensor camera, so add 1.6x to that 500mm and you are in the 800mm range really. You'll need a very bright day. Some pros use mirror-lockup when going past 600mm or so.

Also, this strap is awesome as it takes the weigh off your neck and puts it on your shoulder. You can switch shoulders if one side gets toot tired. [Blog article about it]

I have one and I love it!

[OreoCookie]

@Railroader
As far as I understand, the R straps connect to the camera via the tripod mount, is that correct? Can you still use a dslr with battery grip in portrait with the R strap?

[Wiskedjak]

I'll second the R strap. Just got one a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoy it. They're a bit pricey for what they are, and you could easily make one yourself, but they do an awesome job of properly distributing the camera's weight, making the camera more secure and making the camera more readily accessible.

@OreoCookie,
Depending on how you hold the battery grip, I could see it being a bit awkward with the R strap attached.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie 

@Railroader
As far as I understand, the R straps connect to the camera via the tripod mount, is that correct? Can you still use a dslr with battery grip in portrait with the R strap?

You can. I used one with a battery grip on my camera all day recently for a wedding and didn't even notice it.

The only problem is that you can't keep a tripod mount on it when you have the strap attached. But if you need the strap, you usually aren't using a tripod at the same time so it isn't much of an issue.

It also has a great pocket for holding memory cards with easy access.

[Oisín]

For the cheapskates, there’s also the cheaper knock-off model, the Q Strap.

Haven’t tried it (or know anyone who has one), but the few reviews I’ve seen are mostly positive.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally Posted by Oisín 

For the cheapskates, there’s also the cheaper knock-off model, the Q Strap.

Haven’t tried it (or know anyone who has one), but the few reviews I’ve seen are mostly positive.

Wow ... that's not even a subtle knock-off! Even the logo is almost identical, albeit a different letter. But, it looks like they've modified the design to allow for tripod mounting without removing the strap.

[mattyb]

Sorry, for some reason I didn't check this thread for a while.

I have an older Manfrotto tripod that I used as a monopod (the legs weren't spread) last year on the beach.

I got this with the Sigma 70-300mm, but he was close to the shore.



The day before, same lens, same beach, but the waves (and hence the surfers) were further out. I had water up to my knees here.



Poor I know. But I got a few shots that I like.

I asked on dpreview about more MP (to use the 70-300mm and then crop) instead of a longer lens and was told that getting the lens would be better. I'll see how it goes over the summer with the D40 and this 150-500mm Sigma on the Manfrotto that I already have. I don't think that light will be a problem, although the AF speed and the three AF points might be, we shall see.

EDIT : I know that the Sigma 150-500 is a cheap large zoom, and that it will only really do well when the light is good. So far I haven't had the weather that I want for testing it. Maybe soon.

Got the wide angle today - great fun with distortion !!

[Wiskedjak]

I think you'd be better off with a cheap zoom lens than using more megapixels for digital zoom.