I've seen some YT photogs say that "cameras aren't innovative/fun anymore", as most camera brands are more focused on chasing the higher MPs &/or highest resolution/crazy frame rates specs race... That's fine. Let the cameras be "boring", where I want the innovative design is in LENSES anyways. & thus far, only Sigma & Tamron are stepping up. More than that they're delivering it with utmost quality, which is 🤯. What's the most ridiculously out-of-the-box focal length + aperture combos yet extremely practical use lens we can create? & the 35-150/2-2.8 & 60-600/4.5-6.3 type lenses are born...what a great time to be a photographer!
Perhaps it's because I spent a lot of time shooting Olympus m4/3 and learning how to work around noise, but when I think 'high-iso', I'm not thinking 1000. High iso, to me, is anything over 6400; less than that I don't even think about.
I was hoping for a comparison to the 200-600 in terms of value. I'm sure other folks will do a video like this, but I trust Chris's and Jordan's opinions more!
@@richrollin4867 exactly. For people who already mounting this lens. 1 will be mostly using the long end.. hardly the 60-200 range will be used. Unless very specific moment eg safari when animal suddenly appear infront of you.. but in that case. 1 usually have a secondary camera with a wider lens anyway or just carry another lens and change if reqiured. I dont see 1 carrry a 2.5kg lens around whole day and uses all the 60-600 range. . In that case. 200-600 just make more sense. Lighter. Cheaper. Sharper. Smaller. Native.
Thanks friends for this short review. For Chris, he saved one week going to the fitness studio. LG Bernd PS: I was in Wetzlar and could see only your spirit.....
I like how you don't blame the slow lens for the high ISO issue. Rather just suggest that there's another choice of faster aperture lenses if you need that sort of low light performance.
Had the opportunity to test this one last weekend. First I tried the Tamron 150-500 and Sigma 150-600. I thought that their image stabilization combined with IBIS was really good and usable at 500/600 mm Then I tried the 60-600. And omg! At 600 mm, the image was like glued. I am a very shaky person, and handheld it was rock steady, making the other two lenses earthquake simulators in comparison. Sharpness and contrast is also much better than either of the other two. So with this one you really get what you pay for. Which is far more than I can afford. 😭
Great review. Been using the Sigma50-500 f4-f6.3 APO DG on a Sony A mount APS-C body since 2009. f8 is the sweet spot on this lens. The agony of the AF on that lens at times, so the comment re the linear drive is particularly enticing. 50-200 was very useful for field side shooting sports and also at air shows walking the static displays. About a third of my sports shots were in this focal range. 80-90% of my wildlife shots were 300-500. My experience with the 50-500 was that it was not well sealed and something of an ambient air sampling system. I always had to clean the sensor after a day or two out shooting else the blobs would be intrusive at f8 and above with all the birds in flight and aircraft shots. I tried to avoid or slow down racking the focal length end to end to prevent super sucker inhaling of particles but there was always an excitable moment and you have to do it. Do you think Sigma has improved this aspect of their big tube shooters in the last 10 years? For this reason alone the Sony 200-600 is appealing plus that there are teleconverters available. .
even on the officially "not weather sealed" 150-600C its pretty ok. Sure if you zoom much in and out, you MOVE AIR and DUST, you are literally turning your lens into a dust pump, especially those huge telezooms. The problems only occur on the sensor? I mean i use a filter adapter (RF mount) and i have always a glass protection on the adapter itself so i dont suffer this issue, but at least inside my 150-600C are no dust particles visible inside yet, and even if its not an issue (just look at the Canon EF-S 17-55 2.8, the glorified kit lens which happens to be also Canons worst dust pump design ever. Still, the IQ doesnt suffer from the dust inside the lens and glass elements.
@@harrison00xXx with this particular lens I had a drive gear fail twice which was fixed under warranty {10 years) by Sigma Canada. The technician also cleaned some of inner cavities where there were particles which was not expected but much appreciated. The particles in the cavities were not a noticeable issue. The Sony sensor itself was the big issue. Almost like it was sticky and pollen would adhere. My A700 body also seemed to shed some kind of lubricant from the mirror assembly which compounded the blobs. The in camera sensor vibration clean feature was not effective. I was getting pretty good at cleaning the sensor in my peak shooting years.
That's all well and good to say 'you generally want to look elsewhere for a lens with a faster brighter aperture', but the reality is that all the 600mm lenses out there are f/4 and the 1 & 1/3 stop difference seems small in comparison to the fact that all the manufacturer's 600mm lenses are over ten thousand US dollars vs the $2000 of this lens. I know that I don't have that sort of money lying around...
yeap, i can certainly live with iso3200 than to pay an additional 8000$ to get that iso down to 1600 and still lose more shots cause the 600mm f4 is a prime and i can't zoom out if the action is getting closer to me. I'm pretty sure Topaz Denoize Ai can handle the 1 stop iso difference to make this decision even more valid to anyone
This is a pro lens and just for pro lens, this weight almost equals one 70-200 + 150-600, the only benefit is save time for lens changing, but I can’t find any reason for why a daily user need one like this than a much lighter 50-400, and I think people need 50 more than the extra 200 for daily base use
Yep this is something I’m about to explore. The S5 is better than I thought at animal AF and I do love using it, so the new features on the S5II certainly make it interesting. Now that Panasonic have a working continuous AF system they really won’t be far off a solid wildlife setup. Main thing missing is lenses. I’m about to try out the 150-600 Sport on my S5 (first model). I used to have the EF version of that lens so it’s a known quantity to me. I’m mostly curious to see how the AF and the high ISO performance is. I’ll probably make a video and compare it to my OM-1 🤔
@@GeraintDafis Well I guess that nowadays cameras could be used for anything. Using L-mount system should not mean that you would have to switch systems in order to shoot wildlife. I am using S1r for mostly landscapes but every now and then I would like to do some wildlife as well. I do have 100-400 and 150-600 but well, I would really like to see some faster options. They are okay but lack of upgrades is bad. I considered switching to Z9 to have better options for landscapes and wildlife but now they released a S5ii which I also preordered. This release gave me hope that L-mount has some life left in it. S5ii is decent, S1ii will also this year. Now we just need good telephoto lenses.
The EF-version adapted onto my Sony is my favorite set-up for birding and camping allowing landscape, bird, and macro photography all-in-one. It's also great for family home movies with that zoom. My only concern was with lack of weather sealing in the mc-11. This is a definite buy for me. Especially with the new zoom motors. Two concerns are the new smaller foot/handle and what looks like lack of manual focus override.
@Shariq Ahmed🌎💙 Practically native on Gen 3 Sony bodys and newer, rented it a few times soild lens for Photo & Video even works on the NEX3-N with photo/video AF.
Looks like the sony 200-600 which allows TC is a far better option for less $ literally. Sharper, fast focusing, internal zoom (huge plus). Combine that with the amazing 70-200 gm ii and it's a great combo. Guess that will be my next lens as I wasn't expecting this 10x zoom to be good at the longer focal length which is what many were curious about and were let down. Still good to have options I guess.
Thanks, guys great review as always, but I don't think that you mentioned the image stabilization on this beast, which I believe is claimed as 7 stops at 60mm and 6 stops at 600mm.
i can just wish Sigma is upping their game on the OIS and probably even make EF 60-600 autofocus and OIS updates. I have tested until now the 150-600C (and i also own it) and a EF 60-600, both suck very hard in OIS (for video), on a DSLR as well on a R7 with IBIS.
For my own personal use I bought the Sigma 50-500mm (on Sony A99ii) but I just found it incredibly heavy on long hikes plus not that fast at focusing, for example it rarely got my dog running towards me in focus. So I bought the Sony RX10iv 24-600mm and whilst obviously pixel peeping on a static photo you can see it's not as good (much smaller sensor, lower resolution, etc) but the sheer versatility of the camera and the number of amazing photos I'm able to capture from it's super fast focusing more than makes up for this and so at the end of a hike or holiday I have way for great photos than I would with the 'better' full frame lens, plus my back isn't aching! I really hope Sony doesn't stop this line of cameras.
I'd rather carry more survival equipment in my pack than a Magnesium billet. I've used the 150-600 C for two years and it's manageable. But this one just isn't for me although I'd like the extra range on the short end. Weight is a much bigger issue than say, bokeh, and these types of lens end up spending their life in the car trunk instead of working for me. I've been that route.
When I saw the thumbnail I said "wttfff" as I was wanting to get the Tamron 50-400mm in the near future. But since this is even heavier than the 150-600mm I may stick with the Tamron as I want to be able to bring it while traveling and use the crop mode to reach 600mm.
I use it a lot (since its that universal), but its a Love-Hate... its "fast" in aperture, somewhat good enough stabilized for photo, but the real bummer if you are just a bit into video- its stabilizer SUCKS, forget handheld video. and the weight - any of these sigmas is SUPER HEAVY, the 150-600C one of the "lightest" and still much too heavy in my opinion but great for hide/tripod work. If i dont expect much needs for the zoom range i always try to use the RF 800 F11, like this wildlife photo and especially handheld videography is a JOY, with the 150-600C Sigma its a pain in the ass unless you are on a tripod or at absolute least a good support and very still hands. The RF 800 only gets frustrating when you need to zoom out which happens rarely on full frame and more often on APS-C.
This might be my fault: I never saw the use cases to shoot such a lens under let me say 100mm-150mm range. So a lens like a 150-600 is more in the field of my interest.
People and reviewers all over the world are sleeping on the existence of the old 2004 Tamron SP AF 200-500mm f4.5-6.3 DI LD (IF). I got it new for just 440 euros and put it on my a7iii with the Sigma mc11 adapter used for 150 euros and it is as sharp as the Sony 100-400 gmaster that i had my hands on and compared it to, and it's aperture is faster too!! Downside is that it doesn't feature image stabilization but the ibis on camera can compensate for that fairly well and yield sharp results at 500mm and 1/60th of a second shutter speed handheld. Sure the autofocus sucks for tracking subjects coming towards you but for sideways movement no problem. This thing is only rivaled in aperture by telephoto primes. It beats every other telephoto zoom in the market on that regard. Thats because: at 200-235mm is an f4.5 235-290mm it's an f5 290-450mm is an f5.6 and 450-500mm gets to it's final f6.3 While the sony 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 Gmaster goes like this: 100-125mm f4.5 125-170mm f5 170-400mm f5.6 That means that this oldie tamron is almost a stop faster at 200-235mm than the Gmaster. meaning when you'll use 6400iso on the Gmaster you'll only need 4000iso on this tamron. plus it holds up the f5.6 aperture for an adittional 117mm longer focal length than the Gmaster cause side by side tests showed that the Gmaster at 400mm isnt actually 400mm but rather 383mm versus this Tamron. It's also lighter too at 1237gr vs the 1400gr of the 100-400 Gmaster, and even with the Sigma adapter it is so much more comfortable to use on the field and doesn't tire you out at all handheld It just falls behind on image stabilization, weather sealing, minimum focus distance and autofocus performance. People can live with those disadvantages when this Tamron lens will only set you back just 590euros and the Gmaster is 2500euros. it will be an easy decision for some i am sure
@@toddysurcharge771 Equally insane, but at least it incorporates every length a 'normal' user might want. Missing out the wider angles with the 60-600 means you still need a second lens.
I wonder if this lens makes the switch from Canon R5 to say the Sony A7R V more attractive. I have the Sigma EF 150-600 and use the RF-EF adapter but there is a focusing issue with the Sigma/Canon combo.
Its funny.... "ISO cranked up" means nowadays a range from ISO 400 to ISO 1000? Im on APS-C (EOS R7) and ISO 1600 is "low" in my opinion, only ISO 6400 i would consider as a cranked up ISO (and anything above gets really noisy) I really enjoy the 150-600C sigma, lighter and also very universal with its zoom range. Sure 60-600 would be great, but instead of that i would rather prefer a faster 100-500 or 100-400 at least. I mean its not too slow the 60-600 considering its nearly in the super-tele range and a zoom lens, but for me, this as well as the DSLR versions of the 60-600 are uninteresting - much too heavy, my 150-600 is already a bummer, i dont want another 400-900g to carry!
I have this lens with Canon R6 and R7 combo. I send it twice for warranty, because it got foggy even I was in hide and also it was full of dust even I rarely change lenses. Also even I ask not to fix it but replace it, they find out that rubber protective ring was the cause and after replacing it, not I happy again. Its of course a bit on the dark side as many of the zoom lenses now days. I still like using it and it gives me this option to capture 18 white-tailed eagles that are gathering infront of my hide.
You have this lens on a R6 and R7? And how does that work? The lens is just out and only in L and E mount. I think you have 'a' sigma lens, not this one
@@alexkooistra if I understand correct they make it possible to use with the mounts you mentioned, it was long time this lens exist for Canon EF and Nikkor Mount. So it is not really new lens just new mount for Sony, Olympus and Panasonic? Isn't it?
Looks great, could you please ask camera producers to start adding arca swiss rails on camera bodys. It sucks to have to buy these bulky L-brackets all the time for every new body
When will Sigma just give me what I want and bring out a 70-200mm f2.8 e-mount? I've been holding out for 2 years now and just using my prime, but I crave ZOOM.
Blame it on Nikon and Canon for that marketing decision and not Sigma... It's their call to not allow or cripple 3d party lenses on their mounts, not Sigma's fault
lens interesting but I was watching face to camera with s5II. good yay NO PULSING in high contrast situation and AF sticky, but one suggestion. when Chris in shadow? bring a cheapie light on light stand = hell of a diff/ that shot at 24 or 30? more s5II Oh Canada video please. Marty Sender You Tube
Nice presentation, lively and precise. A pity I am a Canon photographer. I use a 50-500 a lot, the quality isn't that much better with a Canon 100-400Lii.
Not sure this is a significate edition to the Sony lineup. An outstanding sharpness might have helped, not sure it's there. The lower range of the zoom 60-150 on this glass, is not really necessary for me. I would love to see a 150-500 F4 zoom for the E-Mount or 400 or 500 F4 prime, for more affordable price range.
I think with modern ISO capabiluties of mirrorless systems coupled with lightroom denoise, i could live with F8 at 600mm or shoot at 500mm but in apasc moxe on the 61mp sensor.
I'm torn between this Sigma or the Tamron 70-180 and the Sony 200-600. I could save some money with this lens but would get better performance with the other two lenses I think.
A shame it isn't sharp wide open at 600mm. The Sony 200-600mm is sharpest at 600mm. I will stick with my Sony 200-600mm lens for my A1, A7RIV, A7SIII. Thanks guys for the informative review. It will still sell well IMHO, but just isn't for me personally. Cheers
I know this is a really dumb thing to complain about, but Sigma's lenses have zoom rings that turn backwards compared to what Sony's own lenses do. Fine for Nikon shooters, but strange considering they're the only other brand to do it.
@@victorlim5077 Ah, d'oh! You're right. That makes a bit more sense, given Sigma's affinity for the EF mount. Still annoying, given almost every other manufacturer (including Panasonic!) does it the opposite way.
Thank you for a great review, Chris. I had the 200-600 Sony and didn't like it because I kept having to crank up the ISO to get usable shots for wildlife. It seems like this Sigma offers no remedy for the problem, unfortunately.... The Nikon 200-500, on the other hand, has such good lens stabilization that I can use it on the long end without getting the sensor all worked up...
May I ask if you think that for sport videography like surfing, could be a good piece of a kit? I have the sigma 100-400 and i love it but sometimes the surfer is too far and also sometimes he’s too near so i really like the idea of 60-600.. sometimes against the sun, but i don’t think any worse than the one I have, what are your thoughts?
Still think the Tamrom 150-500 is the best option unless you really think you need 600mm or 30fps [which is overkill in 99% of situations] which with cropping capabilities today 500 is plenty plus its af and iq is just as good as native options. Plus smaller and lighter than all the rest.
I dont use full frame for tele stuff, the size of the lense is just ridiculous. I use gh5- there is a 100-400 , 200-800 equivalent and its so small you can do streetphotography if you want😂
So annoyed at Canon's anti-consumer third-party lens policy. This is EXACTLY what I need in just about every regard. You know, aside from the mount. So depressing...
I've really been enjoying it. There are still a lot of things that make me miss the GH6 though (no crop slow-mo, better LCD articulation, 4:3 ratio), so I can see juggling between the two cameras depending on the project.
@@punkrachmaninoff "Oh look, a bird! Where the F is it... I can find it... there... aaand it's gone." Secondly imagine if you spot something close to you. Why these questions, I don't get it.
this lens will feel like you are carrying a 10KG weight and will make your arm burn and tired haha, but i love it. Just muscle it up and bring a rag with you cuz you gonna be sweating with this bad boy. Everyone will stare at you and think youre a legit photographer xDD... I think having a monopod and a gimbal is the way to go (havent gotten one yet)
