Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG, Canon mount)

[Liquidstone]

I've been using the Sigmonster (Sigma 300-800 DG, Canon mount) as my main birding lens since since April this year, and I'm very, very impressed with its optical performance.

THE GOOD POINTS:

It beats my beloved 400 5.6L in sharpness and contrast at any length (with TC on the 400 prime) and aperture. Here are unprocessed 100% crops straight from the camera (jpeg large fine, parameter -1/0/+1/0) from my copies of the 400 5.6L and the Sigmonster:

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...79202/original

This beast is prime-like in sharpness (on my 20D/350D/300D) from 300-700 mm wide open, and I stop down in those focal lengths only for more DOF. At 800 mm, it's still sharp wide open, but improves back to super-sharpness at f/8 - f/11.

Here's a shot at 800 mm, f/5.6 , 1/60 sec, ISO 200:
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...39579/original

100% crop:
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...39585/original

Here's one at 800 mm, stopped down to f/9, 1/250 sec, ISO 200
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52733557

100% crop:
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...33454/original

A test shot at 1000 meters:
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52021274

100% crops
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...21338/original
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52045420

Wide open shots at 700 mm or shorter:

648 mm, 1/60 sec, ISO 400
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...33059/original

687 mm, 1/80 sec, ISO 400
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/52847449

With a 2x TC, there's some IQ degradation but it's still better than upressing. Here's a shot at 1600 mm with a Sigma 2x TC (2560 mm equivalent AOV with the 350D), f/18, 1/50 sec, ISO 400, manual focus and exposure:
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/image/50832927

100% crop
http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone/ima...32965/original

The Sigmonster (with 350D) is now my main long gun and it allowed me to get close to a lot of shy Philippine endemics. For flight shots, my 20D + 400 5.6L is of course the better tool.


THE NOT-SO-GOOD POINTS

Sigma has increased the price of the DG version to circa USD 6200 (B&H). From the outpout I've seen, I can't see a difference in IQ between the older non-DG and the newer DG one. So if I were to buy this lens all over again, I'd go for the non-DG version if it's cheaper by more than USD 1,000.


This lens would benefit greatly with the addition of Optical Stabilization (tripod-ready OS) and a focus limiter switch. The latter, a standard feature of Canon long Ls, works wonders in speeding up AF at fliers. The Sigmonster's HSM is fast, but Canon's USM is a bit faster (just a field use impression, not based on objective test).


The Sigmonster is a heavy beast, and I've not been able to hand hold it in any manner. But I knew about the weight and bulk before I bought it, and had accepted these trade-offs for extreme reach, near-prime optics and zoom flexibility.


It needs a good support and long lens technique (LLT) to do its job well. For support, I use a Manfrotto 3421 gimbal head and 475B tripod.


The classic LLT of "left hand on the lens, face against the VF and gentle shutter press" work for many people. However, I prefer to use a remote switch, hands off the lens and wait for the vibration to die down (evident in the VF) before tripping the shutter. With this LLT, I have gone as slow as 0.8 sec (with MLU) and 1/40 - 1/50 sec (without MLU) at 800 mm and got decent results. In strong wind though, I revert back to the classic LLT and just use faster shutter speeds of 1/160 or faster.


MY CONCLUSION:

If you're looking for 500 mm to 1000 mm and beyond reach, the 500 f/4 L IS is lighter (hence can be hand held) and more compact, 1 stop brighter and most probably a bit sharper at 500 mm, has IS, faster AF and weather-sealing. But the 500 prime doesn't zoom.

If you value the framing flexibility of zoom while still retaining near-prime sharpness, and can live without IS, the Sigmonster is a worthy alternative to the similarly weighing 600 f/4 L IS.

Most of the recent bird pics in my galleries are taken with the Sigmonster:

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone


Warmest regards from our islands,

Romy Ocon

[ohenry]

Thanks for that review on the lens. I recently got to play with the Tamron 200-500mm but only for a short period and I found it darn near impossible to handhold. Even a less than steady tripod gave me problems. I would have liked to have had the time to really test it out with my own tripod and better conditions, but had to settle for a flimsy Slik tripod set up in the store and less than optimum lighting outdoors. I plan on going back with my own pod on a brighter day to see what that lens is capable of. Your images here have impressed me how good the Sigma 300-800 can perform. Thanks again for the review. Good stuff.

wow...I just looked at the specs on this lens...13 lbs...yeahbaby...can we say WORKOUT

[Mr. Pickles]

A very good review. Thanks for taking the time to write this up, and post it here at PhotoCamel.

[Liquidstone]

Originally Posted by ohenry

wow...I just looked at the specs on this lens...13 lbs...yeahbaby...can we say WORKOUT

At its heaviest configuration, my Sigmonster with the camera, support system, TCs and flash top the scales at almost 30 lbs. This doesn't include the 20D + 400 5.6L hanging by my shoulder (for fliers), the small things in my Lowepro backpack, and the bottle of water in my vest pocket.

Everytime I move to a new location, my back hurts like crazy and my arms become so weary I can hardly lift a cigarette to my mouth. Every 50 meters or so, I've to stop, catch my breath and try to convince myself that I'm doing a sane thing. But oh boy, when I spot a bird and look at it in the VF at this magnification, all the hurt and pain magically vanish....... until the next 50 meter walk....

Regards,

Romy

[Denton]

Makes me feel a little better about my Tamron F6.9 200-500mm monster...now if only could find some way to use the Ftb mount with my Canon Rebel 350 that's on order....