Which lens?

[Glenda]

I'd like to get a longer lens and while I'd love to get a super fast f2.8, can't justify the expense. I was tossing up between the Nikon 300mm f4 or the Sigma 150-500 to use on my D7000. I think from reading reviews the 300mm would still AF with a teleconverter on. A friend uses the Sigma on her Canon 7D with really good results and even hand holds a lot of shots. Any input from members who have either would be appreciated.

[ameerat42]

Hi Llplates. I looked them both up and they seem to overlap in price. I don't know how they compare for IQ.
I guess you need to consider the pros and cons, like fixed FL against a zoom and a zoom at the expense of some lens speed.

The only "experience" I can offer is that I have the Σ50-500 OS version, which I have found to be very good in IQ over the few varied FLs I have tried.
It's also dearer than both the ones you mentioned. The OS DOES work with the Σ2X converter, but the AF DOES NOT. Yes, and it's h-holdable even with the 2X on.

The only other thing to do is look up the images for each lens on Flickr and try to sort out if one is better than the other.

I'll follow your progress.
Am.

[J.davis]

I have a Sigma 120 - 400 OS and find it excelent for what I do, but below are examples of the two lenses you are interested in.
D7000 with 300 F4
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/adv/?lens=146&camera=1496&perpage=12&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&iso_min=none&iso_max=none&exp_min=none&exp_max=none&res=3
D7000 with 50-500
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/adv/?lens=1092&camera=1496&perpage=12&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&iso_min=none&iso_max=none&exp_min=none&exp_max=none&res=3

[A J Alderson]

I have had the 300 f/4 since December and am very happy. I haven't used it with a t/c yet as I'm finding that it is very sharp which allowes a fair bit of cropping leeway. It auto focuses very quickly and focuses down quite close which is great for near macro work.

All of the birds in my photo stream are shot with that lens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew_alderson/

[Epoc]

I am an advocate for the SigmOS 150-500. I've owned mine for about a year and find it quite sharp under the right conditions. I use it all the time on my D7000 and have used it occasionally on my D700. It likes light. Forget it for indoors or low light. The OS is great and allows the use of 500mm easily handheld. My preference is for a monopod though. A few samples:

99203

99204

99205

[Glenda]

Thanks for all the info guys. I think it will come down to zoom over prime for me. I guess I'm leaning to the Sigma because I'm worried I will find the fixed length restrictive. I'm more an opportunistic bird shooter rather than an avid one and think the zoom would be better for sports/action for me. I had heard it doesn't do well in low light but for the sort of photography I'm interested in don't think that would be a concern.

[Bintryin]

I.m looking at the New 80-400 g from Nikon if its as sharp as the Sony 70-400 than Its Mine
Cheers Mike

[mechawombat]

Great Question as I am thinking along the same lines ATM

I am still leaning towards the 150-500mm on the D7000 Just have to save and save and save!:p

[William]

The 150-500 is a good lens and works well, I've been using the 120-400 DG :)

[Glenda]

Well I went ahead and bought the Sigma 150-500 and received it on Friday. So far have been impressed with the images I can get hand held, especially as I'm not young and certainly didn't do enough bicep curls in my youth. These are some images from it, hand hand 400mm to 500mm and I've also posted some in birds today. Can't wait to try it out on surf shots down at the Sunshine Coast in a couple of weekends.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8643421321_aea98f878f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62413665@N05/8643421321/)
125 copy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62413665@N05/8643421321/) by AusGabby (http://www.flickr.com/people/62413665@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8644544056_8c5274037d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62413665@N05/8644544056/)
Pelican (http://www.flickr.com/photos/62413665@N05/8644544056/) by AusGabby (http://www.flickr.com/people/62413665@N05/), on Flickr

[ameerat42]

(With the OS you're laughing!!! Same with my 50-500 (ha-ha-ha).
And the dog looks happy, and at least the pelican isn't scowling.
As for the ?spoonbill, well, you know how ?spoonbills are.)

Congratulations and enjoy you sharp and steady shots with this lens.
Am.