Sigma 150-600/5-6.3 OS - official thread - reviewed

[Thomas]

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UPDATE: Gordon's review on a Canon 5Diii is out here!
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Now Sigma is following Tamrons lead with its own version of the super-tele-4x-zoom with a focal range of 150-600 mm. Or to be more precise two versions of such a lens: a lighter and smaller "Contemporary" version (1st image) plus a "Sport" version (2nd image) (as popo rightly pointed out).

Contemporary version:

Specification:
20 elements in 14 groups, 2 SLD, 1 FLD elements
size: 260 x 105mm / 10.2 x 4.1”
weight: ??? (<2800g). The Tamron is 1951g
filter size: 95mm
max. magnification: 1:5 (same as Tamron)
price: ??? Should be considerably lower than the S-version which comes in at 2100 EUR to get in the region of the popular Tamron which sells for around 1200 EUR.
availability for Canon-, Sony and Nikon-mount: spring 2015

Sports version:

Specification:
24 elements in 16 groups, 2 SLD, 3 FLD elements
size: 290 x 121mm / 1.4 x 9.3” . Zooming in the lens extends considerably by about 65mm and the lens-hood adds another 100mm or so. So fully extended with lens-hood the lens is about 45 cm long and looks like this:



weight: 2860g / 101 ounces
filter size: 105mm
max. magnification: 1:5
price: 2100 EUR (incl. 19% VAT)
availability for Canon- and Nikon-mount: expected September
Only this version is said to get the camera mount conversion service.

Comparing both images, you can see that the C-version has a very small focus ring. The S-version sports a broad focus ring and a sturdier looking tripod mount which also includes an eye to connect a strap to.
In both designs the tripod mount gets in the way of the manually focusing.

Here are Sigma's US homepages: S-version and C-version.
Btw. Sigma showing "Geometrical" MTF and "Diffraction" MTF charts is humbug in my opinion. I will be reading up on their explanation of the difference in those MTF charts (again) but from Diffraction MTF being worse than geometrical MTF I'd assume that the chart for the diffraction MTF are being the more realistic.ContemporaryContemporary

[popo]

I believe the geometric MTF is the calculated one for comparison against other manufacturers who do similar. Ok, diffraction one is probably also calculated, but also figures in diffraction, and may be more representative of real world performance.

The lens itself isn't targeting Tamron directly, as Sigma has pulled out all the stops to make it a high end lens including sealing. Unfortunately it comes with the weight of one too. There are lots of comments elsewhere about people thinking the Tamron will be good enough/cheap enough to make a difference.

[popo]

News today... there's going to be two models. One Sports, and one Contemporary, with the former having 4 more optical elements in it. I guess that allows them to both target high end, and also have a smaller/cheaper/lighter version to go against the Tamron.

[popo]

I didn't see the weight announced for the C version yet. I'd expect it to be less, but how much less? Haven't seen anything on pricing outside earlier rumours so nothing even worth mentioning.

[Thomas]

Thanks for the hint and the links, popo. I've included the information now in my introductory post.
I also cleaned up the thread a bit.

[Thomas]

Today I was able to get my hands on this lens (Sports version!) and the Tamron 150-600 shortly before. Holding the lens is a huge difference: The additional weight (+900g) and the impression of build-quality simply makes the Sigma lens a different experience. It also seems that the image stabilization of the Sigma compensated more shake than from the Tamron - at least through the view-finder.To evaluate the efficiency of the IS/VC you have to do carefully orchestrated tests and look at the statistics. So take my impression with a grain of salt.

In the following shot from Photokina you can see, what a monster of a lens this is when you extend it to its full 600mmm.


Sigma 150-600 Sports 70556 by Thomas, on Flickr

The weight of this lens mounted on a full-frame DSLR (3-7 kg) is clearly too much to keep to your eye unsupported over an extended period of time.

A funny aside: The personell at the both demonstrated that you can simply push/pull the zoom to the desired focal length. So the zoom-lock is a welcome addition. And with this lens the zoom-lock locks at any focal length, not just the shortest. Pretty clever!

Now the Contemporary version should weigh clearly less and be more comparable to the Tamron. The rumored price for the Contemporary version was about 60% of the Sports version, which would be about 1300 EUR (incl. 19% VAT).

[popo]

I've heard somewhere, so this isn't verified at all, but manufacturers may activate a weaker stabilisation when framing than for the shot. The idea being if you did want to change target, you can more easily.

The weight I believe is similar to the 120-300 and I know how I feel hand holding that after a day! While everything else is good on paper, this might be the biggest reason I wouldn't seriously consider getting one, as tempting as it may be to get 600mm. Actually, that is why I got the 300 in the first place...

[Thomas]

Yeah, the 120-300/2.8 and the 150-600 Sports feel similar, size- and weight-wise.

[Thomas]

Gordon's review on a Canon 5Diii is out here!
Earned a Highly Recommended.

[Thomas]

Still trying to get a copy with Nikon-mount to do a one-on-one versus the Tamron.
But the Nikon-mount version of the Sigma Sport is still rare as hen's teeth.

[Sabre150]

Any Ideas as to when this lens is due out?
Most dealers are pre-order only, but do not actually give a date as to the release.
Cheers

[Thomas]

Well, are you asking for the Nikon-mount version, Sabre150? That is expected to arrive these days.
The Canon-mount version was now available for same time but it looks like it "sold out" pretty quickly. Now everybody is waiting for the next batch to arrive.

[Sabre150]

Yes it was the Nikon mount I was enquiring about, thank you.
Looking forward for the release as it looks a well built piece of kit.

[Thomas]

(Nikon)rumor(s) has it that the lens in Nikon-mount is delayed 45-60 days "due to a defect that was discovered in the first batch of lenses".

[oldCarlos]

Denied by Sigma http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/12/no-manu ... for-nikon/

It does make you wonder though.
Maybe Nikon's firmware updates had a part in it?