Struggling with sigma 50-500

[snapper]

Hi all,
I can achieve good surf shots with my D90 and a 55-22, see attached image.
However I am struggling to get good quality shots with the 50-500 in auto sport mode, see attached image.
Can you recommend some more advanced options to get me started.
Thanks in advance.
Mike R
9052090521

[William]

Cant really help, It seems by the exif you used Auto sport mode , Which gave ISO400, !/1600th sec, f6.3, Thats all good , Better surf and surfer may make the difference , I took this yesterday in full manual with a Sigma 120-400, Nearly the same settings f6.3, 1/800th , ISO 100 http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?106803-Storm-Surf-Kirra Maybe the time of the day , Mine was taken around 8.30 in the morning , Snapper what are you struggling with , That may clear things up a bit , What are you after in the shots ?

[mudman]

i found it a hard lens to learn to use.
i use mine mostly for birding, which means i use spot focus and centre weighted metering.
to get focus where i want it i find it best to manual focus.
the sweet spot for quality is between 350 and 400mm at f8, according to google searches i have done.
cheers

[Analog6]

I have always used centre spot and Tv for surf. If necessary use an aperture adjust of 1 or 2 3rds of a stop (due to wetsuits being dark). You can see a couple using this technique with my new Sigma 150-500 here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?106350-Surfers-Duranbah-testing-new-Sigma-150-500)

[snapper]

I have always used centre spot and Tv for surf. If necessary use an aperture adjust of 1 or 2 3rds of a stop (due to wetsuits being dark). You can see a couple using this technique with my new Sigma 150-500 here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?106350-Surfers-Duranbah-testing-new-Sigma-150-500)

Thanks for the reply, center spot i know, Tv not sure what you mean.
Cheers.

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for your response, i will try some manual focus and that sweet spot.
Cheers

- - - Updated - - -

Thanks for your reply.
I was thinking the shots weren't crisp enough, i am trying manual mode next time out.
Not sure about getting better surf conditions though.
Better surfers, I'm not sure that makes a difference unless your taking movies, by the way both surfers are current and past Australian champions in various divisions.
Cheers.

[fess67]

I am having the same battle with my 50-500. Today I am going to try some micro adjustment calibration to determine if that is the issue. My keeper rate with this lens is about 10% :(

[gonzo]

I use a SIGMA 150-500 which i use for taking surf shots, like you i am not happy with the sharpness of my shots. I have tried using it in sport and TV {SHUTTER SPEED} mode from 1/1000 to 1/2000 but the sharpness is still too soft. I am only just learning myself but i am starting to think it may be the lens, i suppose we get what we pay for. I read a review on the lens the other day which said the lens was best at 400mm so i am going to give it a go, sorry i could not help much, hope you get it sorted

[ricktas]

Most superzooms are not the sharpest at either end of their zoom range. If your camera allows, try doing a focus test and micro adjustments (check your camera manual to see if your camera has this feature).

We recently created a thread with links to some focus test charts..here (http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?109346-Focus-Test-Charts&highlight=focus+test+chart)

[arthurking83]

Tv mode is Canon speak for [S]hutter priority mode in Nikon language.

[aussiepomm]

Both I, and a mate (he's kit is Nikon) have this lens, and I haven't had any issues with it. My mate had some issues, motor wise, and this was repaired under warranty though...

As for the image, here is a surf image I took last year...

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6232/6219159302_45ea0c250e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniep/6219159302/)
Wiped Out - Avalon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniep/6219159302/) by AussiePomm (http://www.flickr.com/people/berniep/), on Flickr

Settings are FULL zoom at 500mm, 1/250, f11 100 ISO

[Speedway]

Hi all,
I can achieve good surf shots with my D90 and a 55-22,
Mike R


What's a 55-22?
I have the Sigma 150-500 and found F8 was the sweet spot. Shooting wide open at max. min. zoom is not recommended for any lens for maximum sharpness. Re micro adjust I'm not sure if the D90 has this feature (more and more cameras have this option now) but I found a slight tweak on the 7D made a difference. The problem is with longer lenses the slight manufacturing tolerances become greatly magnified.
Keith.