jaapv Posted February 27 Share #21 Posted February 27 Advertisement (gone after registration) So it would gain you a zoom range to 300- 600 and add 1kg to your gear. The 150 - 600 would add the same zoom range at the long end halve the focal length at the short end and cut 1kg off your gear. At the cost of an extending zoom. Both are weather sealed. Both would need you to move to the L system, possibly with Panasonic cameras. ( better AF) Obviously only you can decide. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 27 Posted February 27 Hi jaapv, Take a look here Sigma DG DN 300-600mm f4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
PhotoCruiser Posted February 27 Share #22 Posted February 27 (edited) I consider a internal zoom as the much better solution as the lens breathe less dirty air when the first element extends and retracts. The other advantage is mostly for unterwater photography as the extending element may hit the inside of the dome/port glass of the underwater housing or the dome/port must be enough distant what is suboptimal when shooting with lens not extended. In general i don't really like zoom lenses, have still a complete set for my D800 but from when i bought the Q2 i got used to work again with fixed length lenses as i did many years before and i enjoy that more. However, i don't do wildlife and if i should start to do that or go again on a Safari to rent or buy this (or a similar) lens must be included in the budget for such a trip as then i see for me the the need to have a high magnification zoom lens. Basically for all situation where it's not possible to move towards or away from the subject and/or the subject move fast. I had and used for many years the Nikon 2x TC and just bought the Sigma 2x TC and i consider a high quality TC as a very useful tool when a much longer lens is needed. Chris Edited February 27 by PhotoCruiser Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27 Share #23 Posted February 27 Or the situation that the subject might eat you…😉 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoCruiser Posted February 27 Share #24 Posted February 27 (edited) vor 3 Minuten schrieb jaapv: Or the situation that the subject might eat you…😉 Yep, that is one reason, the others can be physically barriers like walls, canyons, fences etc or very shy animals. The Sigma TC-2011 has one problem (other than my Nikon one), there is a special lens who stick inside the attached lens and that disables the possibility to attach all lenses as the protrusion will not fit the lens barrel of may lenses. There is a sheet on the Sigma website what shows what Sigma lenses are compatible, my sigma 105mm macro is one of them, my 14 and 28mm Sigma's don't fit, nor do my 3 M39 lenses, including the 13.4cm Hector i just bought. However, the few tests i made did not show any obvious degrade in optical quality. Chris Edited February 27 by PhotoCruiser Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27 Share #25 Posted February 27 Or charge you.. 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! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419474-sigma-dg-dn-300-600mm-f4/?do=findComment&comment=5764685'>More sharing options...
PhotoCruiser Posted February 27 Share #26 Posted February 27 (edited) vor 9 Minuten schrieb jaapv: Or charge you.. Had this same situation in the Serengeti, but the guide was so scared that floored the accelerator and there was no way to take any photo. Will never forget this situation (and one with a Hippo as well) as it was a rather close call... Rhinos ad Hippos are probably the most deadly animals in Africa. However i miss to be there, the camping trip in the Serengeti was one of my most mind blowing trips i made in my life. 2 weeks only in tent camps and private Land Rover, including one night down inside the Ngorongoro crater and be ready when the others visitors started to decend from their lodges up on the crater edge. Chris Edited February 27 by PhotoCruiser Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27 Share #27 Posted February 27 Advertisement (gone after registration) Nice 😃This was in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. A very good place for Black Rhino and very few other visitors. 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! 7 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419474-sigma-dg-dn-300-600mm-f4/?do=findComment&comment=5764711'>More sharing options...
Elliot Harper Posted February 27 Share #28 Posted February 27 Such a long focal length and zoom and 28 elements! Holy moly, I’m wondering how AF performance is going to suffer. It must be sounding like a horse neighing when hunting for focus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernardC Posted February 27 Share #29 Posted February 27 6 minutes ago, Elliot Harper said: Such a long focal length and zoom and 28 elements! Holy moly, I’m wondering how AF performance is going to suffer. It must be sounding like a horse neighing when hunting for focus. It's not moving all 28 elements to focus! Part of the reason why newer lenses have so many more elements is so that they can have smaller/lighter focusing groups, and OIS groups. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLeventhal Posted February 27 Share #30 Posted February 27 5 hours ago, jaapv said: So it would gain you a zoom range to 300- 600 and add 1kg to your gear. The 150 - 600 would add the same zoom range at the long end halve the focal length at the short end and cut 1kg off your gear. At the cost of an extending zoom. Both are weather sealed. Both would need you to move to the L system, possibly with Panasonic cameras. ( better AF) Obviously only you can decide. In my opinion, the telescoping design and loss of 2 stops of bokeh are a barrier for how I hope to capture the natural world. Furthermore, contrary to what you implied in a prior post, it takes more effort to shift the zoom ring on an extendable lens than with an internal zoom. As stated, in addition to the 400 f2.8, I have a 100-400 and a 180-600mm lens. The 100-400 is a more traditional design with a telescoping element. Zooming requires that I grip the zoom ring and apply force... sure, this works great but it is not like the silky zoom I can achieve with the 180-600. Because the latter has an internal zoom mechanism, I can use one finger to shift and modify focal lengths. For some, the price, weight savings, and wide zoom range are a priority, for others... like me... the rendering of out of focus areas and build/design are a priority. So, I guess I would absorb the cost of the additional weight and expense while my body and wallet allow me to do so. cheers, bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27 Share #31 Posted February 27 2 hours ago, BernardC said: It's not moving all 28 elements to focus! Part of the reason why newer lenses have so many more elements is so that they can have smaller/lighter focusing groups, and OIS groups. The focusing/OIS group is as far as I can see from the X-ray four small lenses in two elements. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 27 Share #32 Posted February 27 10 minutes ago, BLeventhal said: In my opinion, the telescoping design and loss of 2 stops of bokeh are a barrier for how I hope to capture the natural world. Furthermore, contrary to what you implied in a prior post, it takes more effort to shift the zoom ring on an extendable lens than with an internal zoom. As stated, in addition to the 400 f2.8, I have a 100-400 and a 180-600mm lens. The 100-400 is a more traditional design with a telescoping element. Zooming requires that I grip the zoom ring and apply force... sure, this works great but it is not like the silky zoom I can achieve with the 180-600. Because the latter has an internal zoom mechanism, I can use one finger to shift and modify focal lengths. For some, the price, weight savings, and wide zoom range are a priority, for others... like me... the rendering of out of focus areas and build/design are a priority. So, I guess I would absorb the cost of the additional weight and expense while my body and wallet allow me to do so. cheers, bruce I prefer internal zoom as well, but with the Sigmas they can be switched to light pull-out which makes zooming in a fraction of a second with minimal resistance possible. Very handy. Slide the switch to turning zoom and no creep if needed. ( or lock). At 600 mm the DOF is minimal at all apertures. 2 stops of bokeh at that focal length is a minimal difference. For my work I would like more DOF if it were possible. I dislike Eye in focus, Nose out of focus which is quite common on animals with muzzles and otherwise longer noses. All longer zooms with Sigma are equally Sports series which means robust build and properly weather sealed at high image quality. Maybe you should try the different lenses to see what suits you best. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLeventhal Posted February 28 Share #33 Posted February 28 On 2/27/2025 at 8:30 AM, jaapv said: I prefer internal zoom as well, but with the Sigmas they can be switched to light pull-out which makes zooming in a fraction of a second with minimal resistance possible. Very handy. Slide the switch to turning zoom and no creep if needed. ( or lock). At 600 mm the DOF is minimal at all apertures. 2 stops of bokeh at that focal length is a minimal difference. For my work I would like more DOF if it were possible. I dislike Eye in focus, Nose out of focus which is quite common on animals with muzzles and otherwise longer noses. All longer zooms with Sigma are equally Sports series which means robust build and properly weather sealed at high image quality. Maybe you should try the different lenses to see what suits you best. Regardless of where either of us stand on the "best" telephoto lens for wildlife, I think that the introduction of this lens offers L-Mount shooters an option that has only been available to Sony/Nikon/Canon and even OM-System shooters. Whether you are on the sidelines of a tennis court, in a bird hide, or hiking through a grassland, access to an fast aperture, fast focusing, and professional lens is a welcome addition. As I stated, I'm using my Nikon gear for this type of work and have both a 400 f2.8 that becomes a 560 f4 with a flick of a switch and a 180-600 internal zoom lens. This gear is amazing, but I also enjoyed using the SL2-S w/ 24-70 and 100-400mm Leica version lenses. The Leica UI gets out of your way and the bodies felt very comfortable in my hands. In addition, this gear was lighter and more compact than my Nikon stuff when you consider the body form factor. Once the new Sigma 300-600 f4 is available to demo, I'll rent it and an SL3-S to see how it fares... cheers, bruce 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 28 Share #34 Posted February 28 I’ll be interested to learn of your findings. The thing about discussions like these is the that there is no right or wrong - just preferences based on personal use cases. The real elephant in the room is the amorphous term “ wildlife photographer” 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJCoates Posted March 2 Share #35 Posted March 2 (edited) On 2/28/2025 at 11:37 PM, jaapv said: I’ll be interested to learn of your findings. The thing about discussions like these is the that there is no right or wrong - just preferences based on personal use cases. The real elephant in the room is the amorphous term “ wildlife photographer” Yes totally correct; each user has a different use case based on what you might find helps your photography and budget etc. I personally don't really have a need for autofocus or image stabilization in what I do, so for a long telephoto I have the truly magnificent Leica R 400mm f/2.8; but of course, for others, this massive piece would just be too heavy and large! So by extension - there are no current long lenses that suit me perfectly; the Sigma 300-600mm f/4 would be a lens I would only use a the long end, meaning I would have paid for a lens that I am only using half of the focal lengths, as well as almost certainly sacrificing optical performance as a prime will presumably be better. The Sigma 500mm f/4 would probably be the best choice of current lenses, but again that is a stop slower than the Leica 400, which for me is the perfect focal length. Edited March 2 by SJCoates Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLeventhal Posted March 3 Share #36 Posted March 3 (edited) 21 hours ago, SJCoates said: Yes totally correct; each user has a different use case based on what you might find helps your photography and budget etc. I personally don't really have a need for autofocus or image stabilization in what I do, so for a long telephoto I have the truly magnificent Leica R 400mm f/2.8; but of course, for others, this massive piece would just be too heavy and large! So by extension - there are no current long lenses that suit me perfectly; the Sigma 300-600mm f/4 would be a lens I would only use a the long end, meaning I would have paid for a lens that I am only using half of the focal lengths, as well as almost certainly sacrificing optical performance as a prime will presumably be better. The Sigma 500mm f/4 would probably be the best choice of current lenses, but again that is a stop slower than the Leica 400, which for me is the perfect focal length. I am very curious about the type of photography you are doing with a long manual focus lens. I can see how this would be useable for "bird on a stick" work, still life photos, and large animals at a distance. Don't get me wrong, I am not a neophyte, as I began my exploration into nature photography in the mid 1980's in the pre-AF era. I shot Contax RTS bodies with their manual focus 300mm f4 tele-tessar w/ mutar 1.4x and replaced this gear with a Nikon 300mm f2.8 EDiF and 400mm f3.5 EDiF, so I am very familiar with MF photography and the fine lenses that made it possible. However, it this moment in time, I would have a hard time deciding to forgo continuous follow focus and go back to all MF. I'd rather give up digital photography... CMOS/CCD's etc and return to film before I'd give up the benefits of AF. While I shoot flying birds, that is not a large part of my workflow. I photograph mammals, and I find that AF allows me to focus on composition and capture gestures that would be very difficult to capture were I to be constantly adjusting the focus ring to keep the shallow depth of field of my 400mm f2.8 locked onto the eye of my subjects. bruce http://bruceleventhal.com Edited March 3 by BLeventhal 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJCoates Posted March 3 Share #37 Posted March 3 1 hour ago, BLeventhal said: I am very curious about the type of photography you are doing with a long manual focus lens. I can see how this would be useable for "bird on a stick" work, still life photos, and large animals at a distance. Don't get me wrong, I am not a neophyte, as I began my exploration into nature photography in the mid 1980's in the pre-AF era. I shot Contax RTS bodies with their manual focus 300mm f4 tele-tessar w/ mutar 1.4x and replaced this gear with a Nikon 300mm f2.8 EDiF and 400mm f3.5 EDiF, so I am very familiar with MF photography and the fine lenses that made it possible. However, it this moment in time, I would have a hard time deciding to forgo continuous follow focus and go back to all MF. I'd rather give up digital photography... CMOS/CCD's etc and return to film before I'd give up the benefits of AF. While I shoot flying birds, that is not a large part of my workflow. I photograph mammals, and I find that AF allows me to focus on composition and capture gestures that would be very difficult to capture were I to be constantly adjusting the focus ring to keep the shallow depth of field of my 400mm f2.8 locked onto the eye of my subjects. bruce http://bruceleventhal.com I don't do too much wildlife photography, so what I do is exactly as you describe - 'bird on a stick'! Funnily enough, back in the day my first 'serious' camera outfit was based on a Minolta AF system, and I changed to the Leica R system as I found I didn't use AF much; I find it a bit distracting. Obviously, if I was to go down the route of serious wildlife photography then the benefits of AF/image stabilization would be clear. Of course, there is also the aspect of the fact that the Leica 400mm f/2.8 is a really special lens! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted April 14 Author Share #38 Posted April 14 The Sigma 300-600mm is postponed to mid May. Will be interesting to see how the lens handles, particularly AF-C, on the newest versions of L-mount bodies like SL3x and Lumix S5x/S1RII. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted Sunday at 03:59 PM Author Share #39 Posted Sunday at 03:59 PM The lens should be out by now. Any early birds out there...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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