Sigma 150-600mm NEW Lens Review for Wildlife/Bird Photography

[@cwl1354]

I am glad that Sigma is aware of your presence in such a competitive environment. I wish you all the best and hope you achieve your vision sooner and stay cheerful and positive as you are always. Have a nice weekend.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks so much! I was honored to be able to review a lens from them. Thanks for your encouragement and support always and I wish blessings on your photography journey!

[@sigmaphoto]

Thanks you very much for giving the lens a try, Jeremy. Glad to see you're getting great results!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks for loaning it! I really enjoyed getting to use it and look forward to purchasing it myself!

[@Skill_Issue92]

Just ordered this lens for my S5ii. This is the best real review on this lens!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Glad it was valuable! Enjoy the new lens ☺️🙌🏻

[@Skill_Issue92]

@@JeremyNeipp your photo video vlogs are next level btw! It's like watching a TV show!

[@JeremyNeipp]

@@Skill_Issue92 thank you! 😍

[@ramaxey]

Jeremy, As a Lumix S5 owner, I'd love to know if you're using this Sigma 150-600 to photograph birds in flight or other fast-moving wildlife. Can you share what focus settings you are using? Great video.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Hey Randall! I do photograph lots of birds in flight but I do all of it with manual focus so my focus settings are my hands haha. Thanks for the compliment!

[@kellyr2681]

I picked mine up last week. I can finally get those nature shots l am after. My shoulders are taking a hit though, but l am getting used to it, and l have even used it for a bit of macro. It's very flexible.

[@JeremyNeipp]

That’s awesome!! I hope you enjoy it, it’s an amazing piece of glass.

[@WiseSnake]

This lens is also made for F-Mount Nikons, too. I'll have to check this out some day.

[@terryroth2855]

Nice review Jeremy. I like the fact that it is much lighter. Myself, I would still use a long plate. It makes for a great handle, as I hand carry my old sigma a lot. Overall, I would agree that this lens is a nice value for the price range. Sigma’s have never disappointed me. Look forward to some nice photos from yours.👍👍

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks Terry! Sigma is a great company, I’ve been more consistently impressed by their lenses than by any other brand. Was glad to review it

[@nphotodotorg2690]

Great review! Good job Jeremy! I am trying to decide between this lens and the Sony 200-600mm. One thing I like about the Sony is that it's internal zoom. But at the end of the day, image quality and the lens price are the most important factors to me. Let's see what I end up getting.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you! Let me know what you wind up purchasing! I would definitely recommend the Sigma miles before the Sony, but whatever you come to as best is up to you! Best of wishes in your journey!

[@deonharris5977]

@@JeremyNeipp lenses like the Sigma that extend and colapse are like a belows and tend to suck dust into the optics, if you are a wildlife shooter in dusty conditions then the Sony is a much better option.

[@ajc1482]

@@deonharris5977 or you just use a lens cover. I do a lot of shooting at beaches etc and I've never had an issue with sand.

[@Tugela60]

@@ajc1482 Much better to use it in a box cage, then you can eliminate the dust problem.

[@AmateurPhotographer12]

What mount is that? Is it canon, or lumix? Thanks!

[@JeremyNeipp]

L Mount!

[@AmateurPhotographer12]

@@JeremyNeippfor the g9? Thank you so much!

[@JeremyNeipp]

@@AmateurPhotographer12 this camera isn’t the G9 in this video ☺️

[@AmateurPhotographer12]

@@JeremyNeipp Does it work with the g9 with the L mount thank you so much!

[@windleman1]

Just got delivery of mine, looking forward to improving my wildlife photography with it . Learning loads from your channel, and I love your infectious enthusiasm for wildlife photography. Do you ever use a strap with this lens?

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks for the encouragement! Glad you’ve found value in it ☺️ I don’t use a strap personally as I feel it just gets in the way, but you definitely could! Occasionally I’ve used a Cotton Carrier but that’s it

[@Badutspringer]

Such a nice and honest comment on this lense. Thanks for your time. The soft lens cover is perfect for when you've been creeping through the shrubs and you don't want the animals to run away... Weird that some of these youtube influencers will dismiss it as something stupid. "Get out in the field!"

[@JeremyNeipp]

Glad you enjoyed and valued it! Yea I love that soft lens cover, way better than the normal hard cover in my opinion.

[@coultonpersonal1194]

Would this setup work for filming video of deer and other wildlife?

[@JeremyNeipp]

This is what I use personally for all of my wildlife filming! So if you watch any of my adventure videos on my channel, you can check out the quality of my footage to see if you like it.

[@seangray4512]

Awesome! I just purchase my first full frame camera (A7III) & this lens is on my wish list! cheers for the review.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Congrats! Hope you enjoy the FF system and hope this lens works out for you!

[@newtonsantos_photo963]

Thank you very much for this video 🙌🏻 it was quite essential in my final decision to choose this lens! I own you one 😉 See ya, blue skies 🍀📷

[@JeremyNeipp]

So glad you found it helpful!! It’s a great lens and I absolutely love it 🙌🏻

[@paulgibbings9553]

I really like my contemporary version of this lens, but if Sigma ever produce this lens for the RF mount, I'd almost certainly be looking to replace it. I've got my fingers crossed, but I think it might be a long wait.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Unfortunately that’s most likely the case! I think it will be quite a while before they throw RF in the mix. I’ve been incredibly satisfied with this upgrade from the Contemporary version! It has some really solid features that upgraded, and the IQ of the lenses is very noticeably better in my tests I ran

[@stanweaver3918]

How does the AF Eye feature on wildlife work? My eye site isn't' as good now in my 50's.

[@ammadoux]

thanks Jeremy, now i know that if i ever i want to go ff it will be with lumix and this lens, one thing i really hope they would make there menus a bit easy. had to give up my gx9 as much as i loved it and its results because did not understand the menus. thanks again.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Glad it was helpful! I actually really like their menus but maybe it just doesn’t make a ton of sense depending on what you kinda want and need. Stay encouraged! ☺️

[@janinymanwildlife4563]

Nice review. I got the tamron 150-600 G1 and thinking upgrading it to g2 or that Sigma! I think its time to try that Sigma now🙂

[@JeremyNeipp]

I would vouch for the Sigma but the Tamron is good too! Sigma is an amazing brand, let me know what you decide.

[@heinihefti8969]

Hi Jeremy, thanks for this interesting video. I see you are photographing with a Lumix S1. I'm currently photographing with a G9 and a Panasonic 100-400mm lens with crop factor two. So I'm used to have this 800mm focal length. Have you tried out the use of 1.4x teleconverter? Is it even possible to mount a teleconverter in combination with a S1 or S5? Regards from Switzerland - Heini

[@JeremyNeipp]

Glad you liked it! I have used the 1.4 teleconverter on it and it works as expected. However, this new Sigma 150-600 is sharper then expected and so when I’ve matched it up with the 1.4 it’s barely is sharper than the 150-600 alone cropped in. However, I use the S1R so depending on your MP and cropping factor that will effect your overall IQ as well obviously!

[@heinihefti8969]

Thank you very much for your reply. This is very helpful for me. I intend to switch from MFT to full frame. I really like Panasonic and I wave between the S1 or S5 together with the Sigma lens.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Yea that’s a hard choice! They both have their perks. I love Panasonic too and their S1R is my favorite camera body I‘be ever used for wildlife!

[@marknathan7744]

The S1R with 47mp used in crop mode will get you 900mm at 24mp and with cleaner files than you can get with the G9 20mp mft sensor . Sorry for the bad news but i owned the g9 100-400 combo which is great lightweight option for wildlife af funtion on the s1r like all panasonics is average but with practice you can get some great shots with it and as always the funcionality, great menu system and colours from camera are great. Good news is the s1r is now selling for les than 1500.00 uk pounds check out mpb if you are in uk or ebay etc to get a great deal.

[@BayouJosh]

Awesome job on the review brother. Sigma got their money's worth out of you. Nicely done.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks Bayou! Trying to make good relationships with the camera gods in honest reviews. But only on what I believe in haha, I'm sure you know the struggle of bad sponsored products haha.

[@len.whistler]

Will you be replacing your current Contemporary lens with the Sport lens?

[@JeremyNeipp]

I will be eventually! It might be a few months as you'll see the reason why in my next week's video, but I 100% plan on buying this lens to replace my old Contemporary.

[@tsk-jsk4226]

Hi! I got a Lumix G9 and I currently use the Leica 100-400 f 4.0 - 6.3. Would you call this an upgrade? And if so, how big?

[@JeremyNeipp]

That's awesome! Great setup, this definitely would be an upgrade, however, it may or may not be worth it depending on your budget as not only would you have to buy the lens but also the adapter, I have a video on how this concept works that I'll link below. If you adapted this lens on it, you would get a little more than 600mm ff equiv. reach with somewhere around a 4.2 f/stop.

[@JeremyNeipp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooe9nJqLgduagpo

[@tsk-jsk4226]

Thanks for the response and keep up the good content! As a fellow G9 user I love it a little extra :D

[@kingghidorah8106]

oh boy, if this lens is this good then I'm pretty much done with my plannings. Sigma 24-70 f2.8 II, Sigma 70-200 F2.8 II and Sigma 150-600

[@KevinNordstrom]

Great Job Jeremy, Looks solid. I still use the Contemporary as my go to for wildlife, but im currently saving for the sigma 500f4. Close results from the canon natives at a fraction of the cost. I think new on Band H, the canon 500f4 is $9,000 where the Sigma 500f4 is $6,000. Lets not even talk about the RF 600f4. The contemporary and sport versions are HIGHLY underrated

[@JeremyNeipp]

Couldn’t agree more! My next telephoto prime will be the Sigma 500mmf4 as well! It’s amazing how great that lens is for the price, Canon, Sony, and Nikon really beat you down with their prices, Sigma is a great company for lenses. The Contemporary is amazing for the price as well as you see me use it often!

[@rasecroel2366]

Great video... Is nice to see brands bringing out zoom lenses... Can I mount this to a Nikon D850?

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thank you! You'll need an adapter to translate the mount but you could!

[@Wildridefilms]

No

[@jayco10125]

Yeah I can relate on the manual focus thing, although that's mostly due to the crappy autofocus on the Panasonic which I am sure you already know...

[@mynameisneb]

Well I'm a sony e-mount user, and was debating the Sony 200-600 or 100-400. Now I'm even more unsure of what lens

[@JeremyNeipp]

Haha definitely hard choices, if you’re looking cheaper, the 100-400 is a possibility, however, between this lens and the Sony 200-600, I think it’s a no brained to get this lens

[@ADNZ5442]

Is chromatic aberration normal with this lens on the edges of subjects at times?

[@JeremyNeipp]

I haven't experienced much if any! This lens has been pretty solid with its lack of chromatic aberration and sharp in the corners as well.

[@ADNZ5442]

@@JeremyNeipp unfortunately I have a lot on my one. Use Lightroom to fix it.

[@CrisURace]

I would have bought updated version for old mounts. I had to buy the current "old" model for my Canon EF..., and it is pretty awesome for what i need. I am not switching to mirrorless when they want me to. i will switch when I want to.

[@djepodjepo]

Which settings are on the lens? What stabilization modes? Which setting do i use on a tripod?

[@labraoc]

Great review!

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks Luanda!!

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

I can't wait to sell my other kidney so I can buy this lens

[@JeremyNeipp]

Haha that's real

[@UwStoorzender]

2 more weeks until I get this beauty! Cant wait!🤩

[@JeremyNeipp]

Exciting!! You'll have to let me know your thoughts!

[@avikmajumdar7668]

Nikon 200-500 has 4.5 stop Is and its the best budget lens out there right now

[@JeremyNeipp]

The Nikon 200-500 is a f/5.6. And it's a pretty good lens but is definitely way more outdated in it's features than this Sigma 150-600mm, and you're losing 100mm of reach and arguably, the IQ in this lens is better. Also, this lens is for a different mount type so when I compare I am comparing to equal mount types of lenses.

[@ocelotsix6six]

I rented the 600 sony on a whale watch and had no idea they come right up to the boat. Wish this lens was out then.

[@tivenk]

Hey, Jeremy Great review thank you for sharing it. Could you or anyone help me with this question, is this Lens better than SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. I want to get my first wildlife lens. Thank you

[@JeremyNeipp]

I personally would go for this lens over that Tamron any day, but it’s up to you! This is the newest and greatest at this price point.

[@ijyoyo]

Great video! Thank you

[@JeremyNeipp]

Glad it was helpful! Stay encouraged.

[@zenphotojourney]

With a minimum focus range that close this sounds like it could double as a macro lens. 😁

[@JeremyNeipp]

It really can! I actually used it the other day in a few macro shots, you’ll see one or two in a video two weeks from now

[@zenphotojourney]

@@JeremyNeipp I'm looking forward to it. 😁

[@stever1514]

I'd love to see you do a video using a lens like this on an MFT body like GH5 or G9

[@JeremyNeipp]

Hey Steve! I’ve actually done that before, I’ll attach the link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooe9nJqLgduagpo

[@stever1514]

@@JeremyNeipp awesome thanks, watched it, very cool results. Recently watched a Tony northrup video about FF telephoto setups so that got me thinking about a Metabones type setup. I'm coming from an old Panasonic super zoom and just got heavy into MFT but I miss that long reach. Probably will end up with the 100-300 though cuz I'm blowing my budget on wide angle lenses and bodies

[@stever1514]

Actually for now I'm going to put off buying a telephoto until I test out my old telescope with my camera. I just got a T mount MFT adaptor and I'm eager to use the 700mm scope and the 2x Barlow and see what that is going to be like during the daytime. Maybe it will totally suck. But got to use what you have before you buy more.

[@oggg4604]

Just ordered the contemporary:))

[@JeremyNeipp]

Awesome! Hope you like it! You’ll have to let me know what you think of it

[@szgeree]

Nicely avoided the worst part, the autofocus slowness.

[@ohadvik]

good job

[@kylenelson9755]

Hey Jeremy, Love what you are doing and what proceed to do for the photography community. I offer this Scripture for you to keep and to instill in yourself while you proceed to progress. - Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in the grave, to which you are going.”

[@JeremyNeipp]

Thanks so much Kyle! I'm trying to just be a vessel and tool for sharing art and most importantly God's creation. Thanks for the encouragement. Such a great verse to keep in my mind moving forward.

[@GarrettJ50]

WOW you

[@JeremyNeipp]

WOW, YOU!

[@PeteLovesPixels]

I notice you are a Panasonic shooter. You seem to have a strong opinion on the Sony 200-600. What is it based on? Do you also shoot the Sony with 200-600? I agree with some of the pro's of the Sigma however the Sony is the better choice hands down. I will elaborate. I recently sold my Sigma 100-400 and replaced it with the Sony 200-600. I researched the living daylights out of the Sigma 150-600 and the Sony. The zoom turns in the wrong direction to all Sony lenses. Muscle memory is real and makes actually using the Sigma kind of clunky. The Sony has a zoom throw of about 75 degrees from wide to full zoom where as the Sigma will require you to remove and reset your hand to complete the zoom range. The Sigma does not focus as fast as native Sony, not even close. The Sigma will not allow max frame rate on the new 20-30 fps bodies. That may not sound like a big deal when the bodies are not within reach to everyone but tech trickles down and the consumer bodies will get the frame rtes in a few years. The Sony E mount license agreement that Sigma is bound by is that they cannot make teleconverters for E mount ever. I am not trying to bash Sigma, my astro lens is a Sigma but in this specific case the Sony is the easy winner here. I shoot both crop and full frame

[@JeremyNeipp]

Hey Pete! Some valid thoughts, however, I’d still beg to disagree that those reasons are enough to justify the price difference and I still like Sigma’s features better. To answer some of your thoughts, muscle memory comes down to muscle memory and can easily be retrained, but beyond that, the Sigma has a push pull function which is actually much more practical than only being able to use twist anyways, and I’d rather take that anyway over Sony’s twist to zoom. In regards to the FPS, mine allows me to shoot at over 30fps so I’m not sure what the issue is there for you? That might be a mistake in your research? In regards to teleconverters, I would never recommend using one anyways but that’s for a different conversation. Teleconverters lower glass IQ dramatically and unless shooting on a very low MP body, I would never recommend from my experience+testing I’ve done with a few. The one big difference you can definitely argue is focus speed natively adapted to the Sony lens, that’s most definitely true and valid, but for me, all the other pros and the significantly cheaper price greatly outweighed this one pro for Sony in my eyes.

[@PeteLovesPixels]

@@JeremyNeipp Thanks for the reply. I love a good debate. Care to continue a little? Muscle memory will not change when all your zooms go in one direction except for one. You have to mentally focus on going the other way which is why I said it was clunky. The problem I have with the push pull is that you still have to change grip while shooting to get back to a stable position.. In addition at some point likely to have the camera mount supporting the lens which is a no no for both the Sigma and Sony. Potential disaster there. My other concern would be durability in placing undue pitch or yaw force on the lens internals causing wear and eventually play. I tried the push pull but with mine and it just isn't as effective as a 75 degree turn. Once concern I see online is weather sealing on a zoom that extends can never be as effective and I'd agree with that when it comes to moisture, dust not so much. Shooting Panasonic may get you 30fps in L mount but the Sony bodies A9 and A1 are software limited to 15fps. Same deal for Tamron or any other E mount lens company that has accepted the open mount terms. No other Sony bodies are in the 20+ range yet but like I said just give it a couple of years for trickle down. Yes I did my research. As far as a TC goes, I'd use a 1.4 as tests have shown the degradation on the 200-600 is not that bad, and definitely never a 2x. The big fast primes, 400/2.8 and 600/4 are what the TC's are meant for. In the end I'd rather have the "choice" of TC or no TC. I should add that close focus distance is not a priority for me on a lens that will spend 90% of it's time at 600mm. If I have a need for closer focus I can carry 2 bodies, one with the long zoom on a tripod with a gimbal and one around my neck with the Sony 70-200. My current interest and reason for the lens is not just birds but birds in flight. Specifically osprey. I want shots like Mark Smith. You and I are living proof that depending on what features are deemed important the choice is different. As I purchased this for a very specific set of goals (osprey). I think that you will find that over the years your gear set will round out and you will reach a point where you will be looking at tools for specific goals (bif, astro etc) because you have all your general use needs covered. I would also speculate that the 1st party lenses (regardless of brand) will hold their value better than 3rd party lenses. Good glass can last a decade or more so if you look at the big picture (no pun intended) $500 on a lens you keep for 10 years is not a big deal provided you get lots of use out of it. Thom Hogan has a great way to look at gear to be purchased. He says (to paraphrase) Always ask yourself "What problem does this piece of gear solve?" Very wise words I believe. For me the Sony lens solves the problems the I personally had with the handling and AF speed with my Sigma vs Osprey. What problems does the Sigma solve for you?

[@JeremyNeipp]

Some very valid points and appreciate your feedback. I wasn’t aware of the Sony FPS limitations on 3rd party lenses, however, I wonder how these contracts can change with time and if it’s something that can be changed in the future? I’d still disagree on TC’s unfortunately. In tests I’ve run myself on high MP bodies, I’ve taken images shot with a variety of TC’s and compared them to no TC’s but cropped digitally in post an equal amount, and the crop always wins... (sort of frustrating). I used to think that TC’s solved a lot of my reach problems but found through the years that they seem to be a weak supplement for a problem of low MP on a camera, rather than a good compliment to a good set of gear. Personally, I also would never recommend carrying around two bodies at once as that hurts mobility and agility a lot as a shooter. Going wide is also big for me as a KZbinr since I often need to “zoom out” to show the wider action of my videos. However, I recognize that this is only a necessity often for wildlife videographers and beside the fact, 150 from 200 isn’t a huge difference at the end of the day. Silly as it sounds, my favorite feature of the new Sigma lens is actually the built in Tripod plate. With my previous lenses, I’d always struggle to tighten my manfrotto plates enough to my lens mount in order to keep it on my gimbal as it’s slung over my shoulder walking. That action would always seem to loosen it with time and I found myself annoyingly retightening my tripod plate 2-3 times an outing. With this lens, that problem hasn’t been in the picture at all and saves me that time and frustration completely, something the Sony doesn’t do... therefore solving a problem for my needs haha. Lastly and most importantly though, I’m an admitted pixel peeper and at the end of the day, the #1 most important factor in any lens I believe is IQ. In this category, the Sigma takes home the gold which to me sells it regardless of any other factor. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to side-by-Side compare the two as I was in a rush on the timeline Sigma had lent me the lens to test out, however, I’m trying to get my hands on a Sony now to compare for you guys as I wound up purchasing the Sigma just a bit ago. I’d encourage you to find online comparisons between those IQ’s and check out the difference. At the end of the day, you’re right that specific needs are addressed by specific solutions, my argument would simply be that this lens is better for the average in most situations (with the possible exception of people who need to rely on a really fast AF). I appreciate your feedback though and I hope you continue to enjoy the channel!

[@PeteLovesPixels]

@@JeremyNeipp You make good points as well. I looked at your IG. I liked your work. If you look at mine most of the birds as well as most of the astro were shot on Sigma. Sony switch was recent and I haven't posted with it yet;

[@stretchgoham]

Now with the latest update from sigma this lens on E mount is just as fast if not stickier with the updated AF algorithm. Updated continuous AF too. Now has 6 stops of image stabilization with the update too. Definitely a winner over the 200-600 for me and I own both. Not to bash the sony it is still an amazing lens, but it’s beginning to feel a bit outdated

[@justonbrazda3846]

actually there is a better native option. Sony 200-600.

[@JeremyNeipp]

Hey Juston! If you watched the video through more you would see my explanation why it’s not as good as this Sigma 150-600 in my humble opinion.

[@sabelli33]

Hi first he has a Lumix camera the Sony 200/600 and designed for Sony cameras however if you have a Sony camera I definitely recommend the 200/600 to you I say this because I have the sigma 100/400 DG and it really is a sharp lens but in focus with birds in flight is not as effective as the Sony 200/600 !!

[@JeremyNeipp]

@@sabelli33 The lens I'm reviewing in this video isn't the Sigma 100-400 you mentioned, it's the Sigma 150-600 L and E Mount Sports Lens as mentioned in the title. Also, just because I was reviewing the L Mount version on my Panasonic on camera doesn't mean their isn't the native E Mount option. If you listened to the video you would have heard me talk about the native options for the E mount.