Hello Scot enjoyed your video immensely, because you talk more about the process of how to go about bird and wildlife photography. There are plenty technology reviews out that are very good and are a great place to start when looking at a lens choice. But actually sharing the practical side of using a lens, in different settings, is an excellent help and keep up with that format, it's great. I chose the Sigma 100-400 myself for one of your reasons, because my primary use is landscape and then wildlife and birds occasionally. But the second reason was that I'm retired and considerable older than you and the size and ability to handle it comfortable was the real second reason. I use a mono pod or tripod with fluid heads which really provide the stable platform for the lens and my Canon 6D and I agree that taking the time to look at the subtle difference is very important in making your choice. All the major brands make extremely good gear these days. Again thank you for this super video.
Hi, thanks for your kind comments. It's very true that there are very few poor lenses out there and the differences can usually be made up by tweaking techniques etc. The Sigma 100-400 is a fantastic lens and although I don't use it at the minute I was sensible enough to pass it on to my daughter who is also a wildlife photographer 😉 It's great to have a lens that is high quality yet for what it is very light and compact for those occasions when you want to use a lens for telephoto landscapes or wildlife photography. It's still my favourite for when I'm hiking in the mountains and need a lens for the above reasons. 👍
Thanks Paul, the lens is on its way so hopefully it will see some action in the next video.😉 I'm currently visiting a few of my old haunts that I haven't been able to get to in the hope that some of the wildlife is still knocking around!! Thanks for watching!👍
Beautiful work Scott. You really nailed some of those shots mate well done. Loved that bit of camo you strung up. I must by myself a portable hide one day. Thanks for sharing the video mate, cheers 👍🙏
Cheers Adrian, I do sometimes use a hide but to be honest I like the freedom of being able to move around if I can so scrim netting or bag hides get used more often! Thanks for watching mate👍😀
Hello Scott from Las Vegas! I came across your channel searching anyone else using Sigma 100-400 for wildlife photography. I'm pairing my 100-400 with a Nikon 1 v2, allowing me to capture our desert migrants like flycatchers, warblers as well as our resident birds like the quails, roadrunner, thrashers and mountain bluebird. Anyhow if you need more reach I recommend trying this Nikon v2 with super crop sensor giving the Sigma lightning fast focus as well. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Thanks Kenny, would love to do more with Nikon, maybe when I'm famous they'll send me one!😉 Your setup sounds fantastic, especially for the smaller birds👍
Hi Scott. Good video. Would you recommend using the Sigma TC-1401 Teleconverter with my Canon EOS 90D camera and the Sigma 100-400 Contemporary lens? I understand that the AF does not work well using the TC, and I do not know how much loss of quality can result in the photos?
Hello Jaime, thanks for watching. I have never used a teleconverter with this lens so can only go on what I've heard/read. The consensus seems to be that image quality is greatly affected. If it was me and I wanted to give it a try I would try and get a used one as if your not happy with it you can usually sell them on without losing out too much. Sorry I can't be more help👍
Interesting video as always Scott, nice to hear your views on different lenses. For most of my garden bird photography I use my trusty Tamron 18-400 on my Nikon D500. I’ve always considered the Tamron 18-400 a greatly underrated lens, however I have got some brilliant shots of wildlife, small and large, as well as other general subjects and would never consider getting rid of it. My main problem like you is that I need a little more reach and keep looking at lenses such as the Tamron/Sigma 150-600 and the Sigma 60-600. The trouble for me with these lenses is their weight and size since having problems with arthritis in my shoulder and hands they are a bit too much at times - ok on a tripod but less so hand held.
Hi Peter, the best lens is always the one you are going to carry and use. The Tamron 18-400 will like all lenses have a sweet spot where it produces some cracking images so I wouldn't worry about it. Most issues can ultimately be solved by trying to improve in other areas. So field skills and stalking allow you to get closer to the wildlife removing the need for a longer lens. You really can't replicate the advantages that experience and knowledge of the wildlife you are photographing bring, and that costs you nothing. You've heard the phrase "all the gear no idea"that very much applies in photography!!😉 Thanks for watching Peter and good luck with your photography.👍
Fantastic video Scott really informative I’m at the moment trying to make my mind up weather to get the 100- 400 or 150 -600 Tamron / sigma looking forward to seeing your next video.
Hi Martyn, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am currently using the Tamron 150-600 G2 and hope to do a real world review in the next few weeks so stay tuned for that! Thanks for watching.👍
Interesting to hear your perspective on the lenses, slightly disappointing for me as your view on the 100-400mm doesn't bode well for my 70-300mm lens with a 600D body. Unfortunately upgrading my kit is not an option so I'm just going to have to get more creative with my technique. I have yet to try using hides as I enjoy being able to walk around and explore, but I'm coming to learn more about my local area now and know a wooded area where deer are commonly found. Maybe it's time to start building little hides or just sitting in the woods for long periods of time and see how that goes, and if I'm lucky a bird or two might land nearby! Any suggestions on subjects to practice with for a beginner with limited kit would be really helpful! :)
Hi Daniel, there is nothing wrong with the kit you have. As you suggests it just means you need to try and raise your game in other areas. Building bird feed stations away from home is a good way to attract different species and still have a lot of control (you set everything up so you can make it suit your camera setup.) Away from birds badgers are particularly good at this time of the year as the days are long they have to come out earlier to feed. Just locate a sett and make sure you pay attention to wind direction. Scatter some peanuts and away you go!) Let me know how you get on 👍
@@scotttilleyphotography One my next few walks I'll see if I can find anywhere suitable for feeding stations, only issue is I don't want to create a dependence on the stations for the local wildlife and then create problems if I'm not always able to fill them up. After writing my comment yesterday I felt determined to work on my wildlife photography. So far I'm still a bit clumsy when walking through the woods and unfortunately any deer I come across are well aware of me before hand although I am trying to keep my distance (wind direction taken into consideration too). I also came across a badger set accidentally, and the badger too. Felt awful because I gave the poor animal a shock as it darted back into it's hole so I left immediately. Given a few days I may come back with peanuts as you suggested and lay them down before it comes out, and keep a safe distance. Rounded off my evening with my first ever picture of a little owl! So all in all it was quite an exciting trip. Looking forward to improving my technique.
Informative video and good to hear your logical though process. Though just to note f5.6 to 6.3 is 1/3rd of a stop difference not 1 whole stop - a 1 stop difference, for example, would be f5.6 - f8.
Hi Scott, I found this video interesting as at the moment I am using the Canon 100-400mm (Mark l) on my canon 750D ( new 90D on its way 😀) and like you I find I can’t quite ‘reach’ the birds etc. Can I ask what distance you think is about the maximum for getting a sharp clear shot. I may have to look, like you, at a bigger length lens but will wait and see how I get on with the combination of the new 90D and the lens.
Hi Ferguslass, that's a difficult one to answer! Are you happy with the sharpness of you current lens? I have had three of the MK1 Canon 100-400 lenses over the years. One was ok for sharpness another was awful and had to be sent back. The third one was fantastically sharp. I would test your lens in the best conditions before I started making any decisions about upgrading. So stick it on a tripod and on the self timer and take some images at different focal lengths. It should be sharp under optimal conditions. As regards the distance for getting a sharp clear shot, again there is no clear answer. As I said in this video all lenses have sweet spots so one lens might be pin sharp at 350mm but if you go to 400mm the quality might drop off. The aperture also effects this so some lenses don't perform well wide open but if you stop them down by one stop they are fantastic. As I say get to know your lens and if it doesn't perform well in the ranges and conditions you need it to consider swapping. Your field skills also matter. So how good are you at getting close and leaving the bird / animal comfortable? If it was me I would thoroughly get to know my current lens its advantages and disadvantages. Do its advantages match with what you want it to do photographically? If it does then stick with it, if not then you may need to look to change. I hope that helps! I will be taking a close look at the Tamron 150-600 G2 in an upcoming video as I'm currently using it! Let me know how you get on. Scott
Scott Tilley Photography Hi Scott thank you for your reply. After much thought and reading your reply, I have decided to trade in my canon 400mm lens for the Sigma 150-600 lens (not the sport one).
@@ferguslass I am sure you will be very happy with it👍not one I've used but I would expect it to be similar to the original tamron but with better build quality. Happy shooting 😉👍
Hi John, in answer to your question, no I hadn't. To be honest I wasn't aware it was so reasonably priced. If I had been shooting purely Sony and had something like a Sony A6500 to back up my Sony A7ii then I think I would have definitely gone for that option as it would have given me a tele landscape lens and wildlife lens in one. And, don't rule it out in the future if I do end up going fully Sony!!😂😂 But don't tell the wife!!
Well Scott you took me by surprise when I saw the first lens I was betting on the Tamron/Sigma 160-600 but you slipped that one in nicely at the end. I'm in a similar situation although I had a 200-500mm f5.6 it was just to heavy to lug around all day. I now have a 300mm f4 and its pin sharp but I have the same problem as you now that its a bit short on focal length, so I'm swithering between a 1.4 converter or maybe the same choice you went through. Anyhow look forward to seeing what you get with the new lens. Stay safe. 👍
Thanks Graeme, you wouldn't believe how many times I've changed my mind on this one🙄In the end any of the lenses I looked at would do a great job, it really is making sure that it fits your needs rather than someone else's ideal lens. You should be seeing it in use soon!!
Hi, yes I agree it is at the short end, especially for small birds but it can be done. I was photographing a long eared owl today with the 600mm and I could have done with a 900mm😭😂
Sorting images for the web is a bit of an artform. I always resize mine to 2500px on the longest side before applying any sharpening which seems to work ok.👍
Hello Scot enjoyed your video immensely, because you talk more about the process of how to go about bird and wildlife photography. There are plenty technology reviews out that are very good and are a great place to start when looking at a lens choice. But actually sharing the practical side of using a lens, in different settings, is an excellent help and keep up with that format, it's great. I chose the Sigma 100-400 myself for one of your reasons, because my primary use is landscape and then wildlife and birds occasionally. But the second reason was that I'm retired and considerable older than you and the size and ability to handle it comfortable was the real second reason. I use a mono pod or tripod with fluid heads which really provide the stable platform for the lens and my Canon 6D and I agree that taking the time to look at the subtle difference is very important in making your choice. All the major brands make extremely good gear these days. Again thank you for this super video.
Hi, thanks for your kind comments. It's very true that there are very few poor lenses out there and the differences can usually be made up by tweaking techniques etc. The Sigma 100-400 is a fantastic lens and although I don't use it at the minute I was sensible enough to pass it on to my daughter who is also a wildlife photographer 😉 It's great to have a lens that is high quality yet for what it is very light and compact for those occasions when you want to use a lens for telephoto landscapes or wildlife photography. It's still my favourite for when I'm hiking in the mountains and need a lens for the above reasons. 👍
Good video Scott. Interesting to hear the decision making process re the new lens. Look forward to seeing it in action.
Thanks Paul, the lens is on its way so hopefully it will see some action in the next video.😉 I'm currently visiting a few of my old haunts that I haven't been able to get to in the hope that some of the wildlife is still knocking around!! Thanks for watching!👍
Beautiful work Scott. You really nailed some of those shots mate well done. Loved that bit of camo you strung up. I must by myself a portable hide one day. Thanks for sharing the video mate, cheers 👍🙏
Cheers Adrian, I do sometimes use a hide but to be honest I like the freedom of being able to move around if I can so scrim netting or bag hides get used more often! Thanks for watching mate👍😀
instaBlaster...
Hello Scott from Las Vegas! I came across your channel searching anyone else using Sigma 100-400 for wildlife photography. I'm pairing my 100-400 with a Nikon 1 v2, allowing me to capture our desert migrants like flycatchers, warblers as well as our resident birds like the quails, roadrunner, thrashers and mountain bluebird. Anyhow if you need more reach I recommend trying this Nikon v2 with super crop sensor giving the Sigma lightning fast focus as well. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Thanks Kenny, would love to do more with Nikon, maybe when I'm famous they'll send me one!😉 Your setup sounds fantastic, especially for the smaller birds👍
Hi Scott. Good video.
Would you recommend using the Sigma TC-1401 Teleconverter with my Canon EOS 90D camera and the Sigma 100-400 Contemporary lens?
I understand that the AF does not work well using the TC, and I do not know how much loss of quality can result in the photos?
Hello Jaime, thanks for watching. I have never used a teleconverter with this lens so can only go on what I've heard/read. The consensus seems to be that image quality is greatly affected. If it was me and I wanted to give it a try I would try and get a used one as if your not happy with it you can usually sell them on without losing out too much. Sorry I can't be more help👍
SUB and LIKE added. I picked up this lens to photograph and video bears while backpacking.
Thanks for watching. Its a fantastic lens for the price. I will head over to your channel👍
Interesting video as always Scott, nice to hear your views on different lenses. For most of my garden bird photography I use my trusty Tamron 18-400 on my Nikon D500. I’ve always considered the Tamron 18-400 a greatly underrated lens, however I have got some brilliant shots of wildlife, small and large, as well as other general subjects and would never consider getting rid of it. My main problem like you is that I need a little more reach and keep looking at lenses such as the Tamron/Sigma 150-600 and the Sigma 60-600. The trouble for me with these lenses is their weight and size since having problems with arthritis in my shoulder and hands they are a bit too much at times - ok on a tripod but less so hand held.
Hi Peter, the best lens is always the one you are going to carry and use. The Tamron 18-400 will like all lenses have a sweet spot where it produces some cracking images so I wouldn't worry about it. Most issues can ultimately be solved by trying to improve in other areas. So field skills and stalking allow you to get closer to the wildlife removing the need for a longer lens. You really can't replicate the advantages that experience and knowledge of the wildlife you are photographing bring, and that costs you nothing. You've heard the phrase "all the gear no idea"that very much applies in photography!!😉 Thanks for watching Peter and good luck with your photography.👍
Fantastic video Scott really informative I’m at the moment trying to make my mind up weather to get the 100- 400 or 150 -600 Tamron / sigma looking forward to seeing your next video.
Hi Martyn, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am currently using the Tamron 150-600 G2 and hope to do a real world review in the next few weeks so stay tuned for that! Thanks for watching.👍
Great Video Scott. Thanks for visiting my channel and your kind words.
Thanks Darrell, I'm looking forward to your next video. (hopefully wasp free!) Thanks for watching👍
Interesting to hear your perspective on the lenses, slightly disappointing for me as your view on the 100-400mm doesn't bode well for my 70-300mm lens with a 600D body. Unfortunately upgrading my kit is not an option so I'm just going to have to get more creative with my technique. I have yet to try using hides as I enjoy being able to walk around and explore, but I'm coming to learn more about my local area now and know a wooded area where deer are commonly found. Maybe it's time to start building little hides or just sitting in the woods for long periods of time and see how that goes, and if I'm lucky a bird or two might land nearby!
Any suggestions on subjects to practice with for a beginner with limited kit would be really helpful! :)
Hi Daniel, there is nothing wrong with the kit you have. As you suggests it just means you need to try and raise your game in other areas. Building bird feed stations away from home is a good way to attract different species and still have a lot of control (you set everything up so you can make it suit your camera setup.) Away from birds badgers are particularly good at this time of the year as the days are long they have to come out earlier to feed. Just locate a sett and make sure you pay attention to wind direction. Scatter some peanuts and away you go!) Let me know how you get on 👍
@@scotttilleyphotography One my next few walks I'll see if I can find anywhere suitable for feeding stations, only issue is I don't want to create a dependence on the stations for the local wildlife and then create problems if I'm not always able to fill them up.
After writing my comment yesterday I felt determined to work on my wildlife photography. So far I'm still a bit clumsy when walking through the woods and unfortunately any deer I come across are well aware of me before hand although I am trying to keep my distance (wind direction taken into consideration too). I also came across a badger set accidentally, and the badger too. Felt awful because I gave the poor animal a shock as it darted back into it's hole so I left immediately. Given a few days I may come back with peanuts as you suggested and lay them down before it comes out, and keep a safe distance.
Rounded off my evening with my first ever picture of a little owl! So all in all it was quite an exciting trip. Looking forward to improving my technique.
Informative video and good to hear your logical though process.
Though just to note f5.6 to 6.3 is 1/3rd of a stop difference not 1 whole stop - a 1 stop difference, for example, would be f5.6 - f8.
Thanks for watching Nick. Unfortunately too late to edit that issue after it had gone out😂👍
Hi Scott, I found this video interesting as at the moment I am using the Canon 100-400mm (Mark l) on my canon 750D ( new 90D on its way 😀) and like you I find I can’t quite ‘reach’ the birds etc. Can I ask what distance you think is about the maximum for getting a sharp clear shot. I may have to look, like you, at a bigger length lens but will wait and see how I get on with the combination of the new 90D and the lens.
Hi Ferguslass, that's a difficult one to answer! Are you happy with the sharpness of you current lens? I have had three of the MK1 Canon 100-400 lenses over the years. One was ok for sharpness another was awful and had to be sent back. The third one was fantastically sharp. I would test your lens in the best conditions before I started making any decisions about upgrading. So stick it on a tripod and on the self timer and take some images at different focal lengths. It should be sharp under optimal conditions. As regards the distance for getting a sharp clear shot, again there is no clear answer. As I said in this video all lenses have sweet spots so one lens might be pin sharp at 350mm but if you go to 400mm the quality might drop off. The aperture also effects this so some lenses don't perform well wide open but if you stop them down by one stop they are fantastic. As I say get to know your lens and if it doesn't perform well in the ranges and conditions you need it to consider swapping. Your field skills also matter. So how good are you at getting close and leaving the bird / animal comfortable? If it was me I would thoroughly get to know my current lens its advantages and disadvantages. Do its advantages match with what you want it to do photographically? If it does then stick with it, if not then you may need to look to change. I hope that helps! I will be taking a close look at the Tamron 150-600 G2 in an upcoming video as I'm currently using it! Let me know how you get on. Scott
Scott Tilley Photography Hi Scott thank you for your reply. After much thought and reading your reply, I have decided to trade in my canon 400mm lens for the Sigma 150-600 lens (not the sport one).
@@ferguslass I am sure you will be very happy with it👍not one I've used but I would expect it to be similar to the original tamron but with better build quality. Happy shooting 😉👍
Have you considered the Sony 200 to 600 it's a sharp lens wide open at 600 I absolutely love it. Had it for six months.
Hi John, in answer to your question, no I hadn't. To be honest I wasn't aware it was so reasonably priced. If I had been shooting purely Sony and had something like a Sony A6500 to back up my Sony A7ii then I think I would have definitely gone for that option as it would have given me a tele landscape lens and wildlife lens in one. And, don't rule it out in the future if I do end up going fully Sony!!😂😂 But don't tell the wife!!
Well Scott you took me by surprise when I saw the first lens I was betting on the Tamron/Sigma 160-600 but you slipped that one in nicely
at the end. I'm in a similar situation although I had a 200-500mm f5.6 it was just to heavy to lug around all day. I now have a 300mm f4 and its
pin sharp but I have the same problem as you now that its a bit short on focal length, so I'm swithering between a 1.4 converter or maybe the same
choice you went through. Anyhow look forward to seeing what you get with the new lens. Stay safe. 👍
Thanks Graeme, you wouldn't believe how many times I've changed my mind on this one🙄In the end any of the lenses I looked at would do a great job, it really is making sure that it fits your needs rather than someone else's ideal lens. You should be seeing it in use soon!!
Fantastik ❤️❤️
Thank you so much👍
Personally feel 100-400 isn't enough for bird photography.
Hi, yes I agree it is at the short end, especially for small birds but it can be done. I was photographing a long eared owl today with the 600mm and I could have done with a 900mm😭😂
Thanks for sharing cheers
Thanks for watching, there will be more wildlife on the way!!👍
I have got this lense on a canon eos7d
Hi Aaron, is that what you use on your RUclips channel? I'll pop across and have a look. 👍
@@scotttilleyphotography yes it is mate 👍, they are better quality but RUclips seemed to downgrade my photos
Sorting images for the web is a bit of an artform. I always resize mine to 2500px on the longest side before applying any sharpening which seems to work ok.👍
@@scotttilleyphotography i have just uploaded a new video literally a few mins ago, photos came out great :)
Interesting - but I could do without the noise from the highway.
Hello Eigil, yes me too its a constant pain when trying to record audio and gets worse according to wind direction.