Jump to content

Sigma 60-600 f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports announced.


Recommended Posts

Undoubtedly a fine lens, but given the weight and bulk, the focal length at the short end is not very interesting. Who wants a 2 kg 60 mm lens? I never use anything shorter than 250 mm on my 150-600.

  • Like 5
Link to post
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, jaapv said:

Undoubtedly a fine lens, but given the weight and bulk, the focal length at the short end is not very interesting. Who wants a 2 kg 60 mm lens? I never use anything shorter than 250 mm on my 150-600.

True… and almost double the cost of the 150-600 and 750g extra in weight.  What is the purpose and advantage of the low end 60mm to justify this large increase in cost and weight?

10x zoom? Then I’am not so sure about your statement @jaapv : “undoubtedly a fine lens”.  Reminds me to much of the 18-180 (or longer) kit lenses on entry dslr’s.  3x zoom was always an indicator of balance between optical quality and zoom ratio.  4x was ok for tele only zooms.  I doubt that Sigma found the magical optical formula to stretch this ratio by … a lot.  Review’s might tell me I’m wrong but the weight and cost argument will still stand.

A 200 or 250-600 with a fix aperture of around 5.6 would make more sense to me than this one.  

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Stef63 said:

True… and almost double the cost of the 150-600 and 750g extra in weight.  What is the purpose and advantage of the low end 60mm to justify this large increase in cost and weight?

The cost difference is 40%, and 400g in extra weight, see data from B&H below. Where did you get your specs? The DSLR versions are 200g more.

60-600: $2000.-, 2.5kg

150-600: $1400.,-, 2.1.kg

Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/12/2023 at 2:16 PM, jaapv said:

Who wants a 2 kg 60 mm lens?

Sports photographers and cinematographers. Basically anyone who values the time savings (from not switching lenses) over the extra cost, and who doesn't know in advance how far away their subjects will be.

I agree that most photographers who buy super-teles won't pay extra for the 60-150mm range. One the other hand, the Angénieux 25-250, and it's successors, are probably the most popular 35mm cine lenses ever, in spite of being huge and expensive. Sometimes it makes more sense to keep one lens on your camera all day.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Sports photographers usually use multiple cameras instead of switching lenses… But you are right, it might be useful on a tripod like a wildlife hide. Photographing birds and an Elephant turns up at a few meters. Whether I would go to the length of purchasing such a lens on the off-chance is doubtful, though. 
Undoubtedly Sigma sees a market for it. 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, dkCambridgeshire said:

Now if Sigma or Panasonic introduced an L-mount 800mm f8 capable of being used with a 1.4x extender ... 

So close... This lens has a 95mm aperture (600/6.3). You'd need a 100mm aperture to get to 800/8. As things stand, the extenders will only get you to 800/8.4.

  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 1/18/2023 at 11:52 PM, helged said:

An interesting video about the lens (on a Sony body, but still...): 

Thanks for sharing Helge. Informative review, I'm slightly tempted. Having said that, the Sigma 150-600mm has exceeded expectations.

As @jaapv says it's for the one moment when an Elephant turns up at a few metres. I've asked Sigma in SA for a loaner, let's see if they'll bite (I've bought enough lenses from them). Hopefully they do bite & I'll share some images, I have an upcoming trip to Tanzania in Feb.

 

  • Thanks 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, michali said:

Thanks for sharing Helge. Informative review, I'm slightly tempted. Having said that, the Sigma 150-600mm has exceeded expectations.

As @jaapv says it's for the one moment when an Elephant turns up at a few metres. I've asked Sigma in SA for a loaner, let's see if they'll bite (I've bought enough lenses from them). Hopefully they do bite & I'll share some images, I have an upcoming trip to Tanzania in Feb.

 

Excellent! 

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
On 1/21/2023 at 7:18 AM, michali said:

Thanks for sharing Helge. Informative review, I'm slightly tempted. Having said that, the Sigma 150-600mm has exceeded expectations.

As @jaapv says it's for the one moment when an Elephant turns up at a few metres. I've asked Sigma in SA for a loaner, let's see if they'll bite (I've bought enough lenses from them). Hopefully they do bite & I'll share some images, I have an upcoming trip to Tanzania in Feb.

 

Interesting comment regarding the new af motor in Sigma 60-600 (plus the newly released Sigma 50mm f1.4, from https://dustinabbott.net/2023/02/sigma-50mm-f1-4-dg-dn-art-review-a2023/😞

Sigma has given the 50mm F1.4 DN their new HLA focus motor, making it just the second lens (after  the new 60-600mm DN Sport) to receive this superior high speed focus system.  HLA stands for “High-response Linear Actuator”.  There is a clear improvement in focus speed with this new focus motor, delivering near instant focus changes.  The Sigma is closer to the GM in autofocus performance than any of the other 50mm alternatives.

 

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

I agree it is tempting. Especially improved OIS.  I would have chosen it over the 150-600 if it had been available then. But on consideration, am I unhappy with the 150-600? No, on the contrary. And there will always be a new and shiny fruit on the tree to pick if you wait a while. I’ll stick with what I’m happy with. 

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Mine arrived yesterday. This lens is heavy and built like a tank. The 105mm lens cap is almost comical to me, having never owned a lens this large. Gitzo carbon fiber monopod and RRS monopod head arrive tomorrow.

All of these photos were taken handheld on the SL2-S with OS on. The OS on this lens is very effective, allowing for sharp results at 1/125 sec. and 600mm. Sky was dusty/hazy today, giving the sunset light a brown tint.

Forum previews are soft, click for much sharper versions.

Distance to mountain ~5 miles (8km)
600mm
ISO 2000
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Next three shots are progressively closer zooms of the same distant ridge ~2 miles away (3.2km)
60mm
ISO 125
1/125 sec.
f/5

 

242mm
ISO 200
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

 

600mm
ISO 125
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

 

House on left is ~1/4 mile (0.4km) away
354mm
ISO 200
1/125 sec.
f/5.9

 

Yucca plant is ~6' (1.8m) across
184mm
ISO 640
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

On 3/10/2023 at 6:03 AM, hdmesa said:

Mine arrived yesterday. This lens is heavy and built like a tank. The 105mm lens cap is almost comical to me, having never owned a lens this large. Gitzo carbon fiber monopod and RRS monopod head arrive tomorrow.

All of these photos were taken handheld on the SL2-S with OS on. The OS on this lens is very effective, allowing for sharp results at 1/125 sec. and 600mm. Sky was dusty/hazy today, giving the sunset light a brown tint.

Forum previews are soft, click for much sharper versions.

Distance to mountain ~5 miles (8km)
600mm
ISO 2000
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Next three shots are progressively closer zooms of the same distant ridge ~2 miles away (3.2km)
60mm
ISO 125
1/125 sec.
f/5

 

242mm
ISO 200
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

 

600mm
ISO 125
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

 

House on left is ~1/4 mile (0.4km) away
354mm
ISO 200
1/125 sec.
f/5.9

 

Yucca plant is ~6' (1.8m) across
184mm
ISO 640
1/125 sec.
f/6.3

Thanks - looking forward seeing more images with this lens! Also learning about focus speed and accuracy, although the latter is mainly down to the body (with Lumix S5 II having the latest L-mount technology, I guess). 

Edited by helged
  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, helged said:

Thanks - looking forward seeing more images with this lens! Also learning about focus speed and accuracy, although the latter is mainly down to the body (with Lumix S5 II having the latest L-mount technology, I guess). 

Yeah, the new AF motors in this thing are fast.

Two samples below taken at 545mm at f/8 using a monopod. The mountain pictured is about 9 miles / 14.5 km distance.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 4 weeks later...

I traded my 150-600mm for the new 60-600mm essentially to take picture of my daughter and her friends during horse jumping contests. The min focal distance of 60mm come in really handy to shoot pictures of galloping horses as they pass near the fences behind which I stand. +50mm was definitely too long for that and I ended up using the Leica 90-280mm more often than the 150-600. cAF is good enough to get sharp pictures of horses jumping all around. Of course I do get some miss focused pictures from time to time but most often than not it is my fault rather than the lenses. I had to tweak the focusing parameter to get consistant results (zone focus with some in depth tweaking of AF parameter so that the camera would not jump back and forth when obstacles or other things like trees appear between the horse rider and the camera. Took me some time to get it right but now I can say the rate of keeper is definitely high enough.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

  • Like 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

On the SL2-S yesterday evening. These are wide open, and the lack of vignetting is astonishing for a consumer zoom. At least there is a benefit to that giant front element. The last image below was shot well past sunset, and I’m impressed with the combination of this lens with the SL2-S. Usually when photon count is that low, the results from other cameras I’ve owned have been much less pleasing (Canon R5/6 with 100-500 and GFX 50S/R with GF 250).

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited by hdmesa
  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...