{PROBLEM SOLVED. Bought the 7D II} Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM (

[rpt]

So here is the deal. I am looking for advise to see if my choice makes sense to you folks. I must admit that I have been coveting the 7D II even before the 5D III rumours came out. However, GAS is what it is and so I look for advise from folks who have the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600 (S) or both! Or others who would like to chime in. Just don't ask me to switch to another system unless you are funding me

I am in India and needless to say that closer to the equator, the light is quite OK. So this whole low light shooting bit with the 7D II does not worry me so much. I have the 5D III for low light so I am covered - or so I think - as I use MagicLantern on the 5D III. Have been using it for a loooooong time. But then, back to the question.

Much of my shooting (attempts ) is bird photography. So more pixels on target is better. On the 5D III I believe that I get 8.66 M pixels for the same FOV as the 7D II. On the 7D II I believe it would be 20 M pixels. Another way to get more pixels on target is to get a longer lens. I currently have the 100-400L and with the 1.4x it gets me to 560mm on the 5D III. I loose some light and some AF speed. So I was thinking if I got the 7D II I would get to 640 mm equivalent @400 mm. Getting the 7D II would also get me a backup camera.

The advantage of the lens is also it's price. The down side of the lens is its weight. It is significantly heavier than the 100-400L. The lens seems to be sharp.

So people, what do you advise?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tron]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I would get the 7DII. Tamron is heavy and may exhibit incompatibilities with future bodies.

 

[rpt]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I would get the 7DII. Tamron is heavy and may exhibit incompatibilities with future bodies.

Hmmm. You have a point about the future.
Thanks.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I'd not worry about compatibility, Sigma has the dock feature that allows you to upgrade lens firmware if any issues pop up. It also lets you fine tune the AF accuracy with one body.

I'd get the lens over the 7D MK II. Its going be be fine on your 5D MK III.

 

[rpt]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I'd not worry about compatibility, Sigma has the dock feature that allows you to upgrade lens firmware if any issues pop up. It also lets you fine tune the AF accuracy with one body.

I'd get the lens over the 7D MK II. Its going be be fine on your 5D MK III.

Ah! The dock! That adds to the cost too...
The 7D2 gives me a backup/second body too. If only the 15-85 was not an EF-S lens...

 

[cycleraw]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I have the Sigma 150-600mm sport. It's pretty good for the price but doesn't compare to the big whites. And yes, it is difficult to hand hold at 600mm. It's not so much the overall weight but extended to 600mm most of the weight is at the end due to the large front element. It 150-250mm it's pretty easy to hand hold but most likely the majority of shots will be taken at the longer end.

I just rented a 7D MII, will be here next Tuesday. Lensrental.com has a 25% off promotion right now using the code BLACKFRIDAY.

 

[dave99x]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

Hi,

i have the Eos 5D III and the EOS 7D II. The 7D II is much better for birds in flight photography. Before i hadthe 7d II, i was very very happy with the 5D III it is an excellent camera for wildlife /bird photography with a very good autofocus. The limitation is the 6 pics /s speed and the buffer. I do not understand the other's people issues when doing bird photography with the 5D III - it works very well. Maybe one difference is based on the lenses i use: the EF 400 2.8 II, the EF 600 4.0 II and the EF 200-400 4.0 1.4 ext. These leses are more than pretty sharp and really fast. but of course i am aware that not everybody can afford these leses, so my current recommendation for wildlife photographers is: Canon 7D II, Sigma 120-300mm F2,8 DG OS HSM and the 2 new sigma converters for this lens.

 

[DWM]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I have not used the Sigma 150-600 so can't comment specifically about it. With that said if the loss of light and speed is a problem for you with the 1.4 converter on the Canon lens then you probably won't be happy with the Sigma. Every Sigma and Tampon lens I have used or seen other people use has been slower than an equivalent Canon lens with converter and they usually hit the small aperture early in the zoom range.

 

[tayassu]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

If I had to choose one, I'd take the lens simply because of the FL.
But if I had the money, I'd go for both.
The USB dock isn't that expensive, but an absolute must with Sigma lenses.

 

[tron]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I'd not worry about compatibility, Sigma has the dock feature that allows you to upgrade lens firmware if any issues pop up. It also lets you fine tune the AF accuracy with one body.

I'd get the lens over the 7D MK II. Its going be be fine on your 5D MK III.

Correct sorry! Author said Sigma and I read Tamron!

Still, I believe it is too heavy for 600 f/6.3. Just my opinion.

 

[dgatwood]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

I'd not worry about compatibility, Sigma has the dock feature that allows you to upgrade lens firmware if any issues pop up. It also lets you fine tune the AF accuracy with one body.

I'd get the lens over the 7D MK II. Its going be be fine on your 5D MK III.

Correct sorry! Author said Sigma and I read Tamron!

Still, I believe it is too heavy for 600 f/6.3. Just my opinion.

And too long to fit in almost any camera bag. I could deal with the weight, but I can't deal with an 11.4" collapsed length. The magic target length for any feasible general-purpose lens is about 6". Even the 100–400L II at 7.6" is seriously pushing the limits. At 11.4", the lens pretty much has to be your sole reason for carrying the camera, because you're never going to be able to take it off and switch lenses.

 

[rpt]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

All, a big thank you. You helped me decide. I was skewed towards the 7D II and so I bought it. I think the length and the weight of the Sigma lens decided it for me. So today or tomorrow I set it up and hopefully post a picture or two.

 

[sanj]

Re: {PROBLEM SOLVED. Bought the 7D II} Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HS

Congratulations!
I would have bought the Sigma.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Re: Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM ( S ) Lens

All, a big thank you. You helped me decide. I was skewed towards the 7D II and so I bought it. I think the length and the weight of the Sigma lens decided it for me. So today or tomorrow I set it up and hopefully post a picture or two.

Good luck with it. You may be able to wait and see how all the new telephoto lenses compare.

 

[rpt]

Re: {PROBLEM SOLVED. Bought the 7D II} Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HS

Congratulations!
I would have bought the Sigma.

Well, I want to take care of my wrist. Not getting any younger . And the 100-400L has spoiled me. In weight, balance and length...

Good luck with it. You may be able to wait and see how all the new telephoto lenses compare.

Thanks. Hopefully I will be able to sell my 100-400L and get the II version of that lens in the next year (or so).

 

[slclick]

Re: {PROBLEM SOLVED. Bought the 7D II} Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HS

Enjoy and please report on your experiences and share your shots. What would I have done? I think you already have a superior body and would have gone with the glass.

 

[rpt]

Re: {PROBLEM SOLVED. Bought the 7D II} Should I buy the 7D II or the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HS

Enjoy and please report on your experiences and share your shots. What would I have done? I think you already have a superior body and would have gone with the glass.

I would too, but I don't have the moolah for the 600L...

Life is full of compromises. Some of them come in the shape of a body - and I am not talking 7D II here