Guide me Before the mistake

[pjgoswami]

Presently I have a "Sigma 120-400mm APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM" with my “Nikon D5000” due to the price factor with comparisons to Nikon (which I can't effort) and I am happy with its results also. I like to capture birds in wild & natural condition. But after using this lens for 5 month I came to know that I must go for little bit long reach. For that I am thinking to go for a lens "Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM" and which will come within my budget after selling my previous lens (adding the deference amount).

Here I like to know from experienced person that is it good decision to change my present 120-400mm lens to 150-500mm lens. From the reviews found in some website is showing mixed results & also a seller also advised me to keep my present lens and not to take 150-500mm lens which is not as good as 120-500mm. But in flickr I checked some photos taken by that 150-500mm are too good. So, I am getting confused. Is it advisable to change my lens, please guide me before making the mistake.

[LoveDSLR]

Have you read the review at BirdForum Reviews - APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM - Powered by ReviewPost

[pjgoswami]

Thank you LoveDSLR, this site was not known to me. I will study before the purchase. Thank you again for kind look in to my doubt.

[inkista]

Another side-by-side, where the 50-500 actually beats the 150-500 at 500mm.

For me, the big thing is, were you planning on handholding your new lens? Because a 500mm is substantially larger and heavier than a 400mm. Are you ready to use a monopod/tripod?

[Aegea]

Um, I've had bad experiences with the Sigma 150-500, ended up returning two of them. Optically they seemed reasonably sharp, but the first wouldn't autofocus, and the second was just odd, it back focussed badly and didn't seem to reach a full 500mm; maybe only 425. Just my experience, I know others are happy with the lens. Maybe I was unlucky.

[pjgoswami]

Madam Inkista, I have a low cost Benro monopod. But I am still learning, most of the time I prefer to shoot hand held with my 120-400mm. As you stated that 50-500mm is my favorite but in our place no body yet given any advertise about this lens and also price is too much high (in Sigma UK site 50-500 is £1399.99 where as 150-500 is £919.56, price is also major factor for me).

I have to order any photography equipments and it come from 2746KM away. I purchased the previous lens same way. If it having problem like "Aegea" mentioned in his reply what to do. It is nearly impossible to go there. I am selecting the lens for me after seeing the picture taken by Aegea in flicker.

Guide me what to do.

[Aegea]

If you look at that picture of the squirrel, you can see that the tail is nice and sharp, but the eye is a bit soft (at least in the full-size version, which Flickr doesn't show) - that's the back focus issue. I just didn't feel comfortable keeping the lens.

For what it's worth, I'm currently experimenting with a used Nikon 300mm f/4 AF (not the AF-S version) and a Tamron 1.4x pro converter. This combination seems to be very sharp and focusses pretty well. The picture of the robin on Flickr was taken with this.

[pjgoswami]

Yes sir, I have observed that Robin also. But I could not getting how you people getting this much of good picture with out getting noticed by the wild animals. Are you peoples use any camouflaging during wild life/ bird photography? But in my case it is not possible due to my work load. Will it be better to wait little bit. But I think that after some days/months the price will rise. Now it is approx. INR47K , when I purchased 120-400 at that time its price was INR67K approx. What you people advise.

Thanking you all for kind reply.

[Aegea]

I am far from the best person to give tips on wildlife photography, but I do know a lot of patience is required. I got the picture of the robin by sitting quietly in my backyard for half an hour and seeing what turned up. I've never had a lot of success trying to creep up on creatures.