A friend has trusted me to borrow he and his wife's new Sigma 500mm lens (will get specifics) and a D-90 body. I'm brand new to the 500mm and getting used to the D-90, but on the few occasions I've pulled that big sucker out to use it, I'm a little disappointed.
The light hasn't been ideal when trying to shoot some ducks, birds, vultures, etc., but the images appear mostly bright and a bit unsharp, even at not-so-great distances.
I know this isn't much info, and I will post the lens specifics when I get it in front of me again. I'm hoping to shoot an eagle pair at their nest w/ baby tomorrow or Sunday though. And I'd rather have some good working knowledge given this opportunity.
You don't specify if you are using a tripod/monopod/handheld or otherwise. That will likely make a big difference with such a heavy lens and big focal length in regards to sharpness. There is a long lens technique that will take some time to learn in order to get sharp shots consistantly. That all being said, more info will be helpful as well as an example or 2 of your "problem" shots
Which Sigma 500? Is it the 150-500 or the 50-500? I have the 150-500 and find that I really have to work at getting sharp images if I am at 500 and the subject is some distance away. I have also found that leaving the OS is not a good idea when using a tripod, OK with a monopod. I have several images posted using this lens and lots of comments on improving sharpness.
Hi folks, thanks for all the quick responses, and sorry for my lack of info. I have to go retrieve it right now, fast, so I will get back with info when I return. And a couple of images.
So far, my only opp's were HH, but a few using a rail underneath me as a brace a couple of times. It is not fixed, I believe it is the 50-500mm but will check.
Thanks again, be back in a few hours with some more details. Please check back, I appreciate and need some help!!
OK, it is a Sigma 50-500mm 1:4--6.3 APO. I've only had it on the D-90 body a couple of times, and just used it HH or as here, braced. Just wasn't out yet where I had a chance to set up a tripod. But I will be using one for the eagle/nest trip hopefully this weekend.
Here is one shot I tried it on the other day, mallard and ducklings. Program mode as I was just trying different settings, and it went at 1/50th only, ISO-400 f-6.3. This was an ugly hazy kind of bright day. Others seem to be very yellow, just don't have time to go thru them all right now. I'm just not sure what the best mode is to shoot in with, it's all been by chance up to now. Just trying different things, while nothing seems to be working.
Some similar even with the smaller 300mm, but not as bad, some good results... some ehhh.
My father also gave me some older lenses, a Nikkor 75-300mm and a Tamron SP 500mm mirror, which will both autofocus with the D-90.
I used to own the Sigma 50-500 (the "Bigma") but traded it in for a Sigma 150-500 with OS, since I could never get sharp photos when handheld. Another photographer I have talked to, and whose pics I have seen, has had great success with it though (also handheld) using Aperture mode with the lens wide open and a very fast shutter speed.
As others said - start off with Aperture priority mode and if it is on anything other than a tripod, try for a minimum SS of 1/400s. The D90 handles noise very well, so if you need to you can bump the ISO as high as 1000 without too much of an issue (though something like ISO 640 would be more reasonable).
[qoute]Tamron SP 500mm mirror, which will both autofocus with the D-90.[/quote]
Are you sure about that? I think the aperture is f/8 and unless you have insane amounts of sunshine, I don't think it will AF.... Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Wow, thank you all. The weather looks like a problem. I appreciate all of your feedback.
Yes, HH this is a $#@, tough thing, but that was just on the fly, testing it out. Though tripod will be used if we make it to the nest this weekend. The 1/50th SS is just stupid.
As for the Tamron 500mm... I am wrong, it will not AF. The 300mm will. Hope to show some results at least. Fred, Hilke, Luke, Thanks!!
You can't determine anything about this lens when hand holding at 12/50th second. Bracing it on a railing isn't a substitute for a solid tripod in any way and you definitely need one at 500mm.
I always shoot in aperture preferred mode; never in program.
The color cast comes from a couple of things: if the light was hazy as you describe it probably had a bit of color cast to it. And any slight color cast in the light has been exaggerated by shooting in jpeg with the camera set to Vivid. If you must shoot in jpeg at least turn down the camera settings to more neutral values. I"d also turn off the Sharpening setting of 4 that you are using and only apply saturation increases and sharpening in post processing (like with Photoshop Elements).
I'd also recommend setting something other than "AF area mode - auto" so that you know/control what the camera is actually focusing on. I have no idea what "Auto" would select in such a scene.
Well, we didn't get out early this morning for the nest shooting--hopefully Sunday. Thank you all again. No excuses, some of the things you folks mention here are just fundamental and things that I know. I mean, 1/50th?? When I saw that, I thought, how did that happen!! Again, I've literally taken maybe 20-25 shots w/ the 500mm. All have been HH or braced. Should just set it up w/ the D-90 on a tripod today even if I'm just shooting at something like a tree or whatever to test. Flights will be different of course, and all the advice is great, such as shooting in AP mode!!
The D-90 and 500mm have been graciously lent to me for a few days at a time, they are not mine, so I don't think I was even aware the settings were on vivid and sharpening at 4 Rich. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't have checked them ahead of time.
In regards to the 1/50th SS. Yes, it is slow, but it doesn't mean you can't attain a sharp photo (though on a moving subject it obviously is near impossible).
Here is an example of a photo I took with a D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC (~ 500mm focal length). The SS on this was 1/60th of a second (though please note, it was grossly overexposed and the exposure had to be lowered 1 2/3 stops in PS. This was handheld (though I think I braced against a wall, but only hands supported the camera) and there is no VR on this lens.
Not to be outdone by Luke, here's a shot taken at 1/20th second with my 300/2.8 and 2x. This shows the value of a solid tripod and good long-lens technique. 70% of full frame, ISO 100, Nikon D200 @ f/8. I didn't have time to crank up the ISO or open up to f/5.6. NO VR/IS on this lens, either.
Beautiful images Rich and Luke!! And I get the points. I'm a very large person, and remember the 50-500mm is a very heavy lens I would imagine compared to 300s w/ TCs, but I thought I'd give it a whirl HH and braced. I still think a good image can be gotten that way given the right conditions.
But... that being said, it is just too heavy to lug around shootin and hoping to get a good shot out of XXX. And I think the other technicals in my instances, along with the hazy harsh light, also didn't help. There may be one or two better examples, I'll look thru again.
In any case, I look forward to tripoding it with all of the info you folks have provided. Thanks NPNers!!
P.S. Pretty heavy rain last night so my shooting buddy canceled again for today. Oh well, maybe later in the day.
well, no eagles photo'd this weekend, but spent a bright, misty morning shooting some heron on a lake. it was wild with activity, many deer a few GBH, ducks galore. more later... and of course, as I was trying to set up the tripod everything was taken place. so somehow while i had the Nikon in AP mode and was going from 500-800 ISO, I didn't realize I had accidentally dialed up a different setting. So I'm very upset about that. But...
Be patient Bill. There is definitely a learning curve and I still get burned by starting to shoot without checking the settings (white balance & ISO in particular). It helps if you can train yourself to go through a mental checklist each time you pick up the camera.
... and remember the 50-500mm is a very heavy lens I would imagine compared to 300s w/ TCs...
Hadn't noticed this before. To clarify: the Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-S lens is 6.62 pounds, and the TC20E 2x converter is another .75 pounds, so together they are 7.37 pounds. That's substantially more than the Sigma 50-500 (Pop Photo shows the new "OS" version at 4.17 pounds).
Uhhh Rich, not that it matters as this may be apples and oranges, but I have an older Nikkor 75-300mm lens right here in my hand, and I was using a Nikkor (not sure, possibly 70mm)--300mm lens, along with the Sigma 50-500mm lens (which have both been returned to their owner) and the Sigma outweighs them both by at LEAST a couple of pounds--never mind the length. That is what I was judging them by, the 300s I had with me. In fact, I'll weigh all three of them and send you the results the next time I get the Sigma and the Nikkor 300mm in my possession.
Posted by Richard Ditch on June 13, 2010 at 12:49 PM
The difference is the maximum aperture of the lens. My 300 is an f/2.8 optic - the front of the lens is 4.5 inches in diameter.
The consumer grade 75-300 zooms are typically f/5.6 optics that take 62mm filters. The Nikkor 75-300 was introduced in 1989 and weighed only 29 ounces (1.81 pounds) and is 2.3 pounds less than the 50-500. I owned one of the 75-300 Nikkor for a few years before going digital but was never thrilled by it (especially the "trombone" style zoom by sliding).
Thanks Richard!! That would explain it, I was going by my only experience which was w/ the 300mm's I mentioned, and they are very easy to handle compared to the Sigma!!
The one is exactly Nikkor you mention, and the old zoom is different to say the least. The other is a newer Nikkor w/ 300mm max, i'm sure I have the specs somewhere. But that certainly explains the weight difference confusion--I was like, "huh? that 500mm is a handful!". I appreciate the info as always!!
Discussion
18 repliesThe light hasn't been ideal when trying to shoot some ducks, birds, vultures, etc., but the images appear mostly bright and a bit unsharp, even at not-so-great distances.
I know this isn't much info, and I will post the lens specifics when I get it in front of me again. I'm hoping to shoot an eagle pair at their nest w/ baby tomorrow or Sunday though. And I'd rather have some good working knowledge given this opportunity.
Thank you for any suggestions and help!!!
You don't specify if you are using a tripod/monopod/handheld or otherwise. That will likely make a big difference with such a heavy lens and big focal length in regards to sharpness. There is a long lens technique that will take some time to learn in order to get sharp shots consistantly. That all being said, more info will be helpful as well as an example or 2 of your "problem" shots
So far, my only opp's were HH, but a few using a rail underneath me as a brace a couple of times. It is not fixed, I believe it is the 50-500mm but will check.
Thanks again, be back in a few hours with some more details. Please check back, I appreciate and need some help!!
Here is one shot I tried it on the other day, mallard and ducklings. Program mode as I was just trying different settings, and it went at 1/50th only, ISO-400 f-6.3. This was an ugly hazy kind of bright day. Others seem to be very yellow, just don't have time to go thru them all right now. I'm just not sure what the best mode is to shoot in with, it's all been by chance up to now. Just trying different things, while nothing seems to be working.
Some similar even with the smaller 300mm, but not as bad, some good results... some ehhh.
My father also gave me some older lenses, a Nikkor 75-300mm and a Tamron SP 500mm mirror, which will both autofocus with the D-90.
Basically, I'm in over my current head.
As others said - start off with Aperture priority mode and if it is on anything other than a tripod, try for a minimum SS of 1/400s. The D90 handles noise very well, so if you need to you can bump the ISO as high as 1000 without too much of an issue (though something like ISO 640 would be more reasonable).
[qoute]Tamron SP 500mm mirror, which will both autofocus with the D-90.[/quote]
Are you sure about that? I think the aperture is f/8 and unless you have insane amounts of sunshine, I don't think it will AF.... Someone correct me if I am wrong.
- Luke
Yes, HH this is a $#@, tough thing, but that was just on the fly, testing it out. Though tripod will be used if we make it to the nest this weekend. The 1/50th SS is just stupid.
As for the Tamron 500mm... I am wrong, it will not AF. The 300mm will. Hope to show some results at least. Fred, Hilke, Luke, Thanks!!
I always shoot in aperture preferred mode; never in program.
The color cast comes from a couple of things: if the light was hazy as you describe it probably had a bit of color cast to it. And any slight color cast in the light has been exaggerated by shooting in jpeg with the camera set to Vivid. If you must shoot in jpeg at least turn down the camera settings to more neutral values. I"d also turn off the Sharpening setting of 4 that you are using and only apply saturation increases and sharpening in post processing (like with Photoshop Elements).
I'd also recommend setting something other than "AF area mode - auto" so that you know/control what the camera is actually focusing on. I have no idea what "Auto" would select in such a scene.
The D-90 and 500mm have been graciously lent to me for a few days at a time, they are not mine, so I don't think I was even aware the settings were on vivid and sharpening at 4 Rich. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't have checked them ahead of time.
Thanks for the education, continuing education!!
In regards to the 1/50th SS. Yes, it is slow, but it doesn't mean you can't attain a sharp photo (though on a moving subject it obviously is near impossible).
Here is an example of a photo I took with a D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC (~ 500mm focal length). The SS on this was 1/60th of a second (though please note, it was grossly overexposed and the exposure had to be lowered 1 2/3 stops in PS. This was handheld (though I think I braced against a wall, but only hands supported the camera) and there is no VR on this lens.
- Luke
But... that being said, it is just too heavy to lug around shootin and hoping to get a good shot out of XXX. And I think the other technicals in my instances, along with the hazy harsh light, also didn't help. There may be one or two better examples, I'll look thru again.
In any case, I look forward to tripoding it with all of the info you folks have provided. Thanks NPNers!!
P.S. Pretty heavy rain last night so my shooting buddy canceled again for today. Oh well, maybe later in the day.
Hadn't noticed this before. To clarify: the Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-S lens is 6.62 pounds, and the TC20E 2x converter is another .75 pounds, so together they are 7.37 pounds. That's substantially more than the Sigma 50-500 (Pop Photo shows the new "OS" version at 4.17 pounds).
The consumer grade 75-300 zooms are typically f/5.6 optics that take 62mm filters. The Nikkor 75-300 was introduced in 1989 and weighed only 29 ounces (1.81 pounds) and is 2.3 pounds less than the 50-500. I owned one of the 75-300 Nikkor for a few years before going digital but was never thrilled by it (especially the "trombone" style zoom by sliding).
The one is exactly Nikkor you mention, and the old zoom is different to say the least. The other is a newer Nikkor w/ 300mm max, i'm sure I have the specs somewhere. But that certainly explains the weight difference confusion--I was like, "huh? that 500mm is a handful!". I appreciate the info as always!!