Your closing comments to this review (that all of these various lens choices are great once you take off your useless pixel-peeping blinders) is, I think, the most important part of this review.
This was maybe the greatest lens review I have ever watched and I hope other youtubers are taking note on how to properly provide useful information. For example the bit on mounting the lens at 600mm on a slider as well as the analysis of the photos was excellent. Wonderful video and keep up the great review style!
You always impress, Hugh. Thoughtful analyses and opinions based on lots of hard testing, not just blabbing stats, as many do. Very grateful for the work you put into your reviews!
I bet that Sigma lens fully extended and further cropping the image from a high resolution sensor 47 for example on the Lumix S1R or Leica SL provides an amazing reach when focus is pin. I have just begun using such a strategy with the 70-200 when air conditions permit and you get to play on the different compression effect . ‘…just showing up…’ kinda nails it. Thanks for yet another educative and entertaining video Hugh, I will get to NY and look you guys up one day! 👏
For the record I use the Sigma 100-400 on my Sony APS-C A6400 for nature. As long as the sun is out I have never had an issue getting the shot. I go hiking with it and I have no issues with fatigue, as the whole setup is very light (comparatively). The lens is 2.5lbs or 1160g and it works for me. I have thought about getting some more reach but even with my 24Mp sensor I can still crop a bit and get nice photos so I haven't yet had the need.
”Show up”. I believe that is the single most important factor in photography. Well said and a great review! I believe I’ll get the lens for L-mount for birding, wild life and water sports. L-mount needs more love in those genres anyway 😁
You Sir, are the Jeff Goldblum of photographic equipment reviews. Surely it must have been said before? To my embarrassment, I'll admit this is the first time that I've watched one of your videos - it won't be the last! Compelling, immersive, eloquent. Technically engaging but with the humanity to deliver complex detail, without any trace of sterility and all the time, proving your masterful overview of the subject. Having considered this Sigma lens, to accompany my purchase of the new Sony A7IV, your review has given me an alternate viewpoint. One that forces me to ask myself more questions because, excellent as the Sigma clearly is, I need to be 100% sure that it's the right telephoto for my usage case - perhaps the Tamron or other Sigma would be better? Thank you from an amateur photographer. Subscribed. PS: You're also better looking than Jeff Goldblum and I say that as a heterosexual male. Sorry Mr Goldblum.
1. Re cropping from hi res sensors, my understanding is that resolution is understood not as mpix in an area but on a side so eg a 62 mpix sensor doesn't have 50% more resolution more than 42 mpix. 2. TCs aren't an option for the E mount anyway. 3. The short end of a super telephoto zoom is useful in wildlife shooting when you're going to a new place and don't know what to expect.
Hey, Ern. 1) you’re right about resolution - which is why I said “more than twice the pixels,” rather than resolution. 2) not sure about TC’s on Sony - what do you mean? 3) agreed!
@@3BMEP for number 2 I'm assuming they mean the E-Mount versions of the Sigma 150-600 and 100-400 don't have a teleconverter they can use and are not compatible with the sony 1.4x and 2x TC's. I recall reading one time that was a limit imposed by Sony to protect their native TC's but I could be making that up.
Hugh - another excellent video, thanks! I have some heavy telephoto lenses from Sigma and for Fujifilm medium format. But on a recent trip to Disney World, my telephoto needs were perfectly met with the Panasonic 50-100mm mounted on a Panasonic G100 - a great tiny telephoto combo when doing lots of walking around.
Excellent video as always Hugh! I just received my Sigma 150-600mm sport this morning. I will be using it with my new Canon R5. I hope it won’t let me down. I shoot mostly landscapes.
Enjoyed this reviewed and appreciate all of the hard work put into it. I have an SL2 and am torn as I would like a local focal length than 135mm M lens. What do you think about an telephoto R lens adapted to SL2? BTW, the link to B&H goes to a Canon R5 not the Sigma lens. Thanks.
Overall I am impressed with Sigma lense .. good quality/price ratio .. I certainly don't need a 150-600mm in my kit, but am certain Sigma made a good one.
Please explain me how does it make sense to compare shots that are taken on different days and lighting conditions... There might be a significant difference in terms of air quality that diminishes sharpness regardless of the gear that is used?!
Valid concern. The question is: can we get conditions similar enough so that we can make reasonable comparisons in the real world, or do we opt instead for test charts at near minimum focusing distance for repeatability? We opt for the former.
Great, Review. I have 2 camera bags, one g9+3lenses and one s1r+3 lenses, and one almost never leaves the apartment or room. Except for "special trips", where I am not hiking far from the car or room and I know I need that extra something. I am not a pack mule, except for my wife.
Great review! I am conflicted. I have the 100-400 for my birding but man would it be nice to have that extra 200mm. I just don’t think the added weight is worth it. Do you hate image quality of the adapter? Will it bug me?
Hey, Ted. The real key with teleconverters is how much light they lose, and the knock-on effect to ISO and/or shutter speed - and therefore suitability of subject. I DON’t hate the quality of them - but I’d rather use sensor resolution or longer reach to get what I want. 😊
Another cracking video Hugh. I've been borrowing my brother's G9 with the Leica 50-200 which is a beautiful combo and I keep looking longingly at the Sigma 100-400 for my S1 (not that my pocket will be anywhere big enough any time soon). Will be interesting to compare when it eventually happens or I can find somewhere that'll rent me one.
Excellent review, very informative. I have the Leica 100-400mm for my G9 very good lens. And the 100-400mm for my S5. The difference in reach between the two is quite noticeable now I find myself doing a lot of wildlife. I may trade in the Sigma 100-400mm for the 150-600mm L mount. Thanks for the honest review.
You could have also included the software factor and PP. I have found that in PP I can improve image quality enough to account for around 20% to 30% increase in focal length. Also it allows me to shoot a lens like the Tamron 18-400mm (which is a little on the soft side) instead of hauling my 17-70mm and 100-400mm. The one lens (and no extra filters) covers nearly all my more typical needs when scouting locations or traveling.
It is frustrating to see that many otherwise very reasonable people repeat the misconceptions about cropping and TCs. Cropping is the same as increasing ISO, crop sensor at ISO 6400 will perform nearly identically to a full frame sensor of the same generation at ISO 12800. So even if you have to raise ISO while using TC, you don't lose image quality because of this (higher ISO is compensated by the increase of the size of your subject on the sensor). At the same time you gain in number of pixels per your subject, which, under good conditions, will translate into higher resolution, and in the worst case you still don't lose anything. Therefore, when one needs to crop, using TC is in most cases a better option than cropping. Especially for the usage cases like architecture when the AF speed (which, as some argue, TC can slow down) is not relevant.
Excellent & insightful review Hugh. Thanks. To your point about trying to hold this lens steady & having to bump up ISO even in broad daylight, I've found that when using long lenses on my Leica SL2 & SL2-S, I use the electronic shutter outdoors. There's definitely an element of shutter slap with these cameras, which is amplified by the longer lenses. The ES Canon
Re: Resolution... you're exactly right. I've been borrowing the Sony 200-400 for a few months to see if I wanted to buy it. It's a great lens, but I don't think I will buy it, because on my a7RIV and RIII, I've been pretty much just as happy shooting with my tried and true 100-400GM (one of my favorite lenses) and cropping in post (or shooting in 26MP on the RIV.) Same story with the 135GM I've been carrying it and getting some very decent wildlife shots with it at a much lighter weight, because I can crop. I'm sure that flies in the face of the "get it right in camera" crowd, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Would love the reach, but not the weight of this lens. The Panaleica 50-200 or 100-400 seem to be a good compromise, all things considered, except for those who earn their living with such lenses. In that case, get the best you can regardless of weight, size, price, etc.
I must say that you really talked your way around in circles telling us that the Sigma is close, but not quite there yet. Bottom line is it takes more than $1500 to get great colors and great performance from any lens; especially a lens that is over 150mm in length.
I have found that out of camera colors with the Sigma are a distant 3rd place to Panasonic's 2nd place to Leica's 1st place on my SL. Adapting my R lenses on my SL yields better color and better IQ for pixel peeping. As Hugh said, "If you are shooting B&W, it doesn't;t matter." translated to mean the colors of the Sigma aren't quite right.
Your closing comments to this review (that all of these various lens choices are great once you take off your useless pixel-peeping blinders) is, I think, the most important part of this review.
🙏🏻😊
This was maybe the greatest lens review I have ever watched and I hope other youtubers are taking note on how to properly provide useful information. For example the bit on mounting the lens at 600mm on a slider as well as the analysis of the photos was excellent. Wonderful video and keep up the great review style!
You always impress, Hugh. Thoughtful analyses and opinions based on lots of hard testing, not just blabbing stats, as many do. Very grateful for the work you put into your reviews!
🙏🏻😊🖖🏻
That last sentence or two nails it!
I bet that Sigma lens fully extended and further cropping the image from a high resolution sensor 47 for example on the Lumix S1R or Leica SL provides an amazing reach when focus is pin. I have just begun using such a strategy with the 70-200 when air conditions permit and you get to play on the different compression effect . ‘…just showing up…’ kinda nails it. Thanks for yet another educative and entertaining video Hugh, I will get to NY and look you guys up one day! 👏
Ive been shooting it the last two weeks..wildlife, nature and action sports...Its earned a spot in my pack!
The picture taken with the Fuji 32-64 Len is outstanding. Thank you.
Thank you. It was eye-opening for me!
Absolutely fantastic video. A real piece of art. I truly love the finish. Just be there!
🙏🏻😊🖖🏻
For the record I use the Sigma 100-400 on my Sony APS-C A6400 for nature. As long as the sun is out I have never had an issue getting the shot. I go hiking with it and I have no issues with fatigue, as the whole setup is very light (comparatively). The lens is 2.5lbs or 1160g and it works for me. I have thought about getting some more reach but even with my 24Mp sensor I can still crop a bit and get nice photos so I haven't yet had the need.
The best review of long zooms by far. Great and honest conclusions. Thanks!
Just on that GFX shot, man that blows me away. Spaces for huge prints are now required!
The sound on this video is awesome haha!
Just bought the 150-600 for my Sony 7 iv
”Show up”. I believe that is the single most important factor in photography. Well said and a great review! I believe I’ll get the lens for L-mount for birding, wild life and water sports. L-mount needs more love in those genres anyway 😁
You Sir, are the Jeff Goldblum of photographic equipment reviews. Surely it must have been said before? To my embarrassment, I'll admit this is the first time that I've watched one of your videos - it won't be the last! Compelling, immersive, eloquent. Technically engaging but with the humanity to deliver complex detail, without any trace of sterility and all the time, proving your masterful overview of the subject.
Having considered this Sigma lens, to accompany my purchase of the new Sony A7IV, your review has given me an alternate viewpoint. One that forces me to ask myself more questions because, excellent as the Sigma clearly is, I need to be 100% sure that it's the right telephoto for my usage case - perhaps the Tamron or other Sigma would be better? Thank you from an amateur photographer. Subscribed.
PS: You're also better looking than Jeff Goldblum and I say that as a heterosexual male. Sorry Mr Goldblum.
Hah! Welcome! And yes, the comparison is often made. 🖖🏻
1. Re cropping from hi res sensors, my understanding is that resolution is understood not as mpix in an area but on a side so eg a 62 mpix sensor doesn't have 50% more resolution more than 42 mpix.
2. TCs aren't an option for the E mount anyway.
3. The short end of a super telephoto zoom is useful in wildlife shooting when you're going to a new place and don't know what to expect.
Hey, Ern. 1) you’re right about resolution - which is why I said “more than twice the pixels,” rather than resolution.
2) not sure about TC’s on Sony - what do you mean?
3) agreed!
@@3BMEP for number 2 I'm assuming they mean the E-Mount versions of the Sigma 150-600 and 100-400 don't have a teleconverter they can use and are not compatible with the sony 1.4x and 2x TC's. I recall reading one time that was a limit imposed by Sony to protect their native TC's but I could be making that up.
@@3BMEP Apologies for not acknowledging 1.
Re 2, John is right. Sony doesn't license the IP for E-mount TCs.
Every one of your videos is an elixir.
:)
Fantastic review and superb presentation
So happy you enjoyed it!
Hugh - another excellent video, thanks! I have some heavy telephoto lenses from Sigma and for Fujifilm medium format. But on a recent trip to Disney World, my telephoto needs were perfectly met with the Panasonic 50-100mm mounted on a Panasonic G100 - a great tiny telephoto combo when doing lots of walking around.
Excellent video, thanks for sharing. Have you tried this new lens with the Panasonic S1 or S5? If so, how was your experience? Thanks
I haven’t, but if you don’t need to crop, I’m confident it will be excellent.
Excellent video as always Hugh! I just received my Sigma 150-600mm sport this morning. I will be using it with my new Canon R5. I hope it won’t let me down. I shoot mostly landscapes.
I think you'll be very happy with the IQ. Just don't forget that gimbal head! 😉
@@3BMEP yep.. just ordered that too😅
Enjoyed this reviewed and appreciate all of the hard work put into it. I have an SL2 and am torn as I would like a local focal length than 135mm M lens. What do you think about an telephoto R lens adapted to SL2? BTW, the link to B&H goes to a Canon R5 not the Sigma lens. Thanks.
Overall I am impressed with Sigma lense .. good quality/price ratio .. I certainly don't need a 150-600mm in my kit, but am certain Sigma made a good one.
Please explain me how does it make sense to compare shots that are taken on different days and lighting conditions... There might be a significant difference in terms of air quality that diminishes sharpness regardless of the gear that is used?!
Valid concern. The question is: can we get conditions similar enough so that we can make reasonable comparisons in the real world, or do we opt instead for test charts at near minimum focusing distance for repeatability? We opt for the former.
So, one simple question ... what would Hugh mount on his CL for long glass? The Sigma 150-600 DG DN OS ... or something else?
I have the contemporary 100-400mm 1:5-6.3 DG DN , does this 150-600mm lens punch out noticeably more?
Great, Review. I have 2 camera bags, one g9+3lenses and one s1r+3 lenses, and one almost never leaves the apartment or room. Except for "special trips", where I am not hiking far from the car or room and I know I need that extra something. I am not a pack mule, except for my wife.
Great video as always Hugh. Entertain me though ( since we missed that glorious a7siii footage 😅 ), how does CIZ on Sony work and is it any good?
Thanks, man. DOH! What a mess-up! Next time I'm out there, I'll let you know!
Excellent review, very calm and informative. You could read the phone book, i'd listen
😈😎😊🖖🏻
Great review! I am conflicted. I have the 100-400 for my birding but man would it be nice to have that extra 200mm. I just don’t think the added weight is worth it. Do you hate image quality of the adapter? Will it bug me?
Hey, Ted. The real key with teleconverters is how much light they lose, and the knock-on effect to ISO and/or shutter speed - and therefore suitability of subject. I DON’t hate the quality of them - but I’d rather use sensor resolution or longer reach to get what I want. 😊
Another cracking video Hugh. I've been borrowing my brother's G9 with the Leica 50-200 which is a beautiful combo and I keep looking longingly at the Sigma 100-400 for my S1 (not that my pocket will be anywhere big enough any time soon). Will be interesting to compare when it eventually happens or I can find somewhere that'll rent me one.
You can buy it on installment.
Thanks for the video, Hugh, but I think I'll stick with my 200-600 for now. I'm interested in the gimbal you used with the Sigma. What's it called?
Oben GH30.
@@3BMEP Thanks, Hugh
Registered for Squ…No!
Blinkest! Thanks for the discount!
Excellent review, very informative. I have the Leica 100-400mm for my G9 very good lens. And the 100-400mm for my S5. The difference in reach between the two is quite noticeable now I find myself doing a lot of wildlife. I may trade in the Sigma 100-400mm for the 150-600mm L mount. Thanks for the honest review.
Loved the video but your link goes to the wrong lens.Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens for Leica L???
Thanks for the heads-up -- corrected!
What do you think the result gonna be in SL? Thinking to switch from sony R3 to SL
Will this lens work on a APS camera? The sony a6500.
You could have also included the software factor and PP. I have found that in PP I can improve image quality enough to account for around 20% to 30% increase in focal length. Also it allows me to shoot a lens like the Tamron 18-400mm (which is a little on the soft side) instead of hauling my 17-70mm and 100-400mm. The one lens (and no extra filters) covers nearly all my more typical needs when scouting locations or traveling.
It is frustrating to see that many otherwise very reasonable people repeat the misconceptions about cropping and TCs. Cropping is the same as increasing ISO, crop sensor at ISO 6400 will perform nearly identically to a full frame sensor of the same generation at ISO 12800. So even if you have to raise ISO while using TC, you don't lose image quality because of this (higher ISO is compensated by the increase of the size of your subject on the sensor). At the same time you gain in number of pixels per your subject, which, under good conditions, will translate into higher resolution, and in the worst case you still don't lose anything. Therefore, when one needs to crop, using TC is in most cases a better option than cropping. Especially for the usage cases like architecture when the AF speed (which, as some argue, TC can slow down) is not relevant.
i am gonna buy this lens 4 month from now gonna save my salary
Can i use it on sony a6600 without any issues???? Pls tell me......
Yep!
Fair points… from someone who’s highest and best use for this lens is taking pictures of skyscrapers a mile away.
Excellent & insightful review Hugh. Thanks.
To your point about trying to hold this lens steady & having to bump up ISO even in broad daylight, I've found that when using long lenses on my Leica SL2 & SL2-S, I use the electronic shutter outdoors. There's definitely an element of shutter slap with these cameras, which is amplified by the longer lenses.
The ES Canon
Great point about shutter slap!
Not a top notch AF on SL2? Expect a Leica version with the same spec...
Good review... Lens weight and size + gimbal + heavy duty tripod to support it all = futz factor. 😑
Hah! ‘Tis true!
I shot the lens handheld for the better part of two weeks....just saying.
@@liamdoran2149 You must have big hands - run for President! 😉
@@edruttledge342 hahahaha. Nah I'm just your standard 5'9" 155lb'er
Too bad Tamron doesn't make L-Mount lenses.
Re: Resolution... you're exactly right. I've been borrowing the Sony 200-400 for a few months to see if I wanted to buy it. It's a great lens, but I don't think I will buy it, because on my a7RIV and RIII, I've been pretty much just as happy shooting with my tried and true 100-400GM (one of my favorite lenses) and cropping in post (or shooting in 26MP on the RIV.) Same story with the 135GM I've been carrying it and getting some very decent wildlife shots with it at a much lighter weight, because I can crop. I'm sure that flies in the face of the "get it right in camera" crowd, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Would love the reach, but not the weight of this lens. The Panaleica 50-200 or 100-400 seem to be a good compromise, all things considered, except for those who earn their living with such lenses. In that case, get the best you can regardless of weight, size, price, etc.
I must say that you really talked your way around in circles telling us that the Sigma is close, but not quite there yet.
Bottom line is it takes more than $1500 to get great colors and great performance from any lens; especially a lens that is over 150mm in length.
I never had great results from Sigma.
You must be doing it wrong.
Truly, I'm surprised to read this.
I have found that out of camera colors with the Sigma are a distant 3rd place to Panasonic's 2nd place to Leica's 1st place on my SL. Adapting my R lenses on my SL yields better color and better IQ for pixel peeping.
As Hugh said, "If you are shooting B&W, it doesn't;t matter." translated to mean the colors of the Sigma aren't quite right.