Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary Review

[NacMacFeegle]

I just got this lens at the beginning of the week, and this was originally meant to be just a "first impressions" video. However, as I was creating it and shooting with the lens I kept adding to what I wanted to talk about, and by the end it was more of a review than the little first impressions piece I had planned! It's not a complete review since I didn't really go into the image stabilization or autofocus in detail. I need to learn how to calibrate these systems before I can come to a final conclusion on them. Mostly this review is focused on the image quality and the overall value of the lens. I'm planning to post a follow up video some time in the future.

I've also put together a written review with a bunch of sample images: https://illuminationsfromtheattic.blogspot.com/2018/02/sigma-150-600mm-contemporary-review.html

 

[NacMacFeegle]

An update to my review:

 

[yodog]

Your excitement in your reviews of the Sigma 150-600mm is certainly contagious! I also got my lens on a great deal like you, but had to purchase the dock separately. To complete the set, I also added the TC-1401 1.4x teleconverter a bit later. Thanks for posting your reviews. I was torn between the Sigma, Tamron, and the Nikon 200-500, and honestly when the Sigma Black Friday deal ($700) showed up in 2015, it was just too good of a deal to pass up.

The 150-600mm Sigma Contemporary is my third Sigma lens now, which includes the 10-20mm wide angle zoom, and the 105mm OS macro lens, all with Nikon mounts. All have been wonderful lenses.

I have not been disappointed once with the Contemporary. I would love to have the Sport version, for its robust build, but I mostly shoot handheld and the Contemporary fits my needs perfectly. I have since used the lens for everything from flowers, to birds, to airshows. I have only used the dock to customize some of the settings, but the focus was precise right out of the box. I've also been very pleased with the 1.4x teleconverter.

Here's a few of the images taken with the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary at various zoom settings ranging from 150mm to 600mm...

Anna's hummingbird, taken in my backyard just last month.



...and one of a squirrel taken in October of last year...



...one of a California poppy taken in the spring of 2016.



...and finally one more...since I did mention airshows...



Take care,

Mike

--
Aim High - Lay Low

 

[rsn48]

I haven't paid that much attention to reviews of the Contemporary and Sports lens, but I do have the Sports lens plus 1.4 TC. And with both I've had no problems with lens hunt, or slow AF. I'm now wondering if there is a difference between the two lenses, other than the fact the sport lens weight about 50 pounds more (okay, I might have exaggerated here).

 

[NacMacFeegle]

Your excitement in your reviews of the Sigma 150-600mm is certainly contagious! I also got my lens on a great deal like you, but had to purchase the dock separately. To complete the set, I also added the TC-1401 1.4x teleconverter a bit later. Thanks for posting your reviews. I was torn between the Sigma, Tamron, and the Nikon 200-500, and honestly when the Sigma Black Friday deal ($700) showed up in 2015, it was just too good of a deal to pass up.

That's a pretty great deal!

It's just amazing to be able to get great long telephoto pictures of wildlife! The thrill of that has yet to wear off.

I have not been disappointed once with the Contemporary. I would love to have the Sport version, for its robust build, but I mostly shoot handheld and the Contemporary fits my needs perfectly. I have since used the lens for everything from flowers, to birds, to airshows. I have only used the dock to customize some of the settings, but the focus was precise right out of the box. I've also been very pleased with the 1.4x teleconverter.

I'm not sure the extra weight of the Sport would be ideal for me, since the Contemporary is already pretty darn heavy! The problem I'm having is that much of the time the lens is spot on with its focus, but occasionally it'll back focus or front focus for no apparent reason. I'm trying to figure out if it needs calibration or if I'm going to send it in under warranty.

Here's a few of the images taken with the Sigma 150-600 Contemporary at various zoom settings ranging from 150mm to 600mm...

Awesome photos!

 

[NacMacFeegle]

Here are a few recent images taken with the Sigma. Both are super high resolution composite images.

20 photos taken at 421mm

14 photos taken at 150mm