Review of Sigma 150-500mm OS
When I was looking for a walkabout lens around the range of 80-400mm with image stabilizer, I had several choices. It was either the Sigma 120-400 OS, 150-500 OS or the Nikkor 80-400vr. After initial testing of the three lenses, I narrowed down to either the 150-500 OS or the Nikkor 80-400vr.
There were two factors that I deem as priorities for choosing the lens. First, sharpness wide open. Second, focus speed for flight/action.
In the store, I compared the two lenses with the Nikon D3 in the following areas.
- Focus speed (Sigma Wins)
- Sharpness (Tied – wide open)
- Colour (Nikon wins)
- Image stabilizing (Tied) (lowest speed tested being 1/160th)
Based on the above results, and of course, the price tag, I chose the Sigma. The Nikon costs about $1000 more than the Sigma.
Here are some results over the last month shooting with the Sigma 150-500f/5.6-6.3 HSM DG OS and Nikon D3/D300.
Nikon D3 + Sigma 150-500f/5.6-6.3 HSM DG OS
Picture 1(Scarlet backed flowerpecker)
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Picture 2(Stork billed Kingfisher)
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Nikon D300 + Sigma 150-500f/5.6-6.3 HSM DG OS
Picture 3
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Picture 4
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Disclaimer
The findings above are the sole experience of mine and the copy I possess and does not represent all the Sigma lenses in the market. As such, I expect results to differ.