First outing with the Bigma

[timmypreston]

Purchased only yesterday I have been desperate to get out today and try it out. The problem was the weather was awful, I waited for it to brighten a little but it didn't happen. So, I bit the bullet, bolted it on to my E420 and headed off to a local pool.

What a beast, first lesson learnt! Mono or Tripod required. The old left bicep has had a work out.. After a very shaky start, literally, things started to come together and considering the conditions and the fact I have never used this lens I was pretty pleased.


White Duck Middle pool 2 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr


Duck unknown Middle Pool 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr


Canada Goose Middle Pool 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr


Black Headed Gull Holmer Lake 2 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr


Black Headed Gull Holmer Lake 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr


Black Headed Gull Holmer Lake 3 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickrh

These are by no means brilliant but for a first attempt and the conditions I'm fairly happy. Any hints and tips on using this lens gratefully received. It's a Sigma 50-500, I bought it off here.

Please be as critical as you like, this is going to be a steep learning curve I think.

[bilbo]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

I think you've done very well for a first outing. To actually capture the gulls in flight is a major achievement!

I sold my Bigma last year because it was giving me a bad back lugging the thing around!

Keep practicing (and working out )

[ashtonsd]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Tim,

I'm glad the lens has found a good home.
It was great meeting you and good luck with your future 'Bigma' adventures!

[timmypreston]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Thanks Bilbo and Steve.

It'll certainly get some use. I want it mainly for bird photography during the winter months. I need something to replace the I think a brighter day will make a huge difference.

[benvendetta]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Some nice sharp images there. Can't be an easy lens to use - I tried one out briefly a few years ago in Cardiff Bay and is was certainly a beast.

[andym]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

You seem to have taken to it like a duck to water so to speak.Just wait till you get some crisp winter sunshine for bird images,it really is rather good.
I'm not really a monopod or tripod user so it's handheld most of the time,one of the advantages of IS.
I think is even sharper stopped down to f7.1 or 8.

[IainMacD]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Great shots for a first outing Tim, especially as you do not have the benefit of IS on the 420.

[Phill D]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Yes looks like a brilliant starting set of images, nicely done.

[timmypreston]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Thank you very much.

This lens has already surpassed my expectations. The shot below was taken about 100m away, it's quite a heavy crop too. I think this is a Scaup I am not sure though, it could be a tufted. It was just a brown blob to the naked eye. It's things like this I would have just assumed it was a mallard.

A decent record shot.

Scaup Middle Pool 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

One for Peterbirder I think.

[timmypreston]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Moorhen


Moorhen young Middlepool 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

Mallard

Mallard Middle Pool 15092013 by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

[Tordan58]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Tim,
These are good results indeed, looks very promising. I have a Bigma myself, a versatile tool I used before switching to MF scopes. I still use my Bigma when longer walks are involved. My experience is that to achieve sharper results at long zoom the lens benefits from stepping down to F/8 when used in the long end of the zoom range, which is probably where you plan to use it most. Using a monopod also helps, you gain something like two stops and it also provides relief.

[alfbranch]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Not my kind of stuff Tim but they are looking good to me.

[joglos]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

A good set, I have always used mine handheld, mostly on the E-1

[timmypreston]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

I have been doing some research into what this lens is capable of (should be working but not in the mood) I have come across this on Flickr. These pictures have been taken with the 50-500 and an E30 or E620.

Shutter speeds of up to 1/2000 have been used for BIF and the images are brilliant. If you get 5 minutes its well worth a look.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sigma%2050-500%20olympus%20e&ss=2&s=rec

[Wee man]

Re: First outing with the Bigma

Great start f8 is my usual for birds with this lens.