[SOLD]

with Sigma 86mm UV filter

lens is $999 @ B&H
filter is $99.66 at Amazon

my price is $775 plus actual ship

a shot from 2 weeks ago:

Randy - Did you ever use the Bigma for sports? I've seen many of your sports photos and have always been impressed, but I don't recall if you used this lens. I shoot with the 70-200VR, but need more reach for lacrosse. I have been thinking of getting the Bigma as an all-round, outdoor sports and nature lens. I have seen that many people use the Bigma in birding and other nature photography, but I would be interested to know more about it's capabilities for sports and if you have links to any sports photo's you have taken with this lens.

Thanks

Originally Posted by slapshot Randy - Did you ever use the Bigma for sports? I've seen many of your sports photos and have always been impressed, but I don't recall if you used this lens. I shoot with the 70-200VR, but need more reach for lacrosse. I have been thinking of getting the Bigma as an all-round, outdoor sports and nature lens. I have seen that many people use the Bigma in birding and other nature photography, but I would be interested to know more about it's capabilities for sports and if you have links to any sports photo's you have taken with this lens. Thanks

yes I used it for a few soccer games....
it's fine as long as the backgrounds are good since it has alot of dof
AF speed w/ hsm is very impressive...it's rather large tho and prob requires a mono for most shooters....

price drop

I sent you a separate e-mail... finally the forum will allow me to post. Is the lens still available?
Let me know
Brett

Hey Randy, is the bigma still for sale?

I always enjoy Randy's photo's--especially his lax stuff. He knows what he's talking about!

I recently purchased a Bigma--however it's a Canon mount, and I use it with a 30D (crop body). I really only do sports--mostly lacrosse, at least in the spring. I really like the reach it gives over a 300mm. I tend to set up behind the end line and I like to use it to shot as the kids are coming to the close goal (about 20-30 yards away). At around the 100-300mm range you can get good overall shots. Zooming into 500mm, you can get great face shots with the background really blurred out. I also can shoot at the goal on the opposite end (in girls lax, about 100 yards away) and just fit a standing person in the frame. I don't know if I've every shot it at 50mm, but it's nice to know you've got that option.

Focus seems fast--at least to me, but I don't have too much to compare it with.

It is heavy. I really don't know how you would use it without a monopod, especially out at 500mm you're going to need to prevent the shakes...

At the price he's selling this, it's a steal...

Enjoy...

Originally Posted by ride4jesus I sent you a separate e-mail... finally the forum will allow me to post. Is the lens still available? Let me know Brett

yes it is Brett...

Originally Posted by Phyxius Hey Randy, is the bigma still for sale?

Hi Christina,

yes it is still for sale.

Thx

Randy

Originally Posted by wmstumme I always enjoy Randy's photo's--especially his lax stuff. He knows what he's talking about! I recently purchased a Bigma--however it's a Canon mount, and I use it with a 30D (crop body). I really only do sports--mostly lacrosse, at least in the spring. I really like the reach it gives over a 300mm. I tend to set up behind the end line and I like to use it to shot as the kids are coming to the close goal (about 20-30 yards away). At around the 100-300mm range you can get good overall shots. Zooming into 500mm, you can get great face shots with the background really blurred out. I also can shoot at the goal on the opposite end (in girls lax, about 100 yards away) and just fit a standing person in the frame. I don't know if I've every shot it at 50mm, but it's nice to know you've got that option. Focus seems fast--at least to me, but I don't have too much to compare it with. It is heavy. I really don't know how you would use it without a monopod, especially out at 500mm you're going to need to prevent the shakes... At the price he's selling this, it's a steal... Enjoy...

thx Will...
HSM on the bigma makes AF very fast, as fast as nikon AFS lenses
But it is big and heavy and I don't like to shoot it handheld. On a monopod it's fine.

Originally Posted by RandySmugMug Hi Christina, yes it is still for sale. Thx Randy

Brett asked first so he has first dibbs, but if he doesn't want it, I'm there! Let me know. Thanks!

Also, I was in the store a couple weeks ago looking at one, but it was the Canon mount and the zoom was VERY, VERY stiff. Was it just that one or is that a Sigma thing?

-Christina

Originally Posted by Phyxius Brett asked first so he has first dibbs, but if he doesn't want it, I'm there! Let me know. Thanks! Also, I was in the store a couple weeks ago looking at one, but it was the Canon mount and the zoom was VERY, VERY stiff. Was it just that one or is that a Sigma thing? -Christina

if you hold the lens up it is stiff because the lens is so heavy but anything at horizontal or lower and it's fine

Originally Posted by RandySmugMug if you hold the lens up it is stiff because the lens is so heavy but anything at horizontal or lower and it's fine

When I first got mine--it was real stiff too. However, after using a a good bit over the past month or so, it has really loosened up. I'm not sure if this is real or if I've just gotten used to it, but I think it moves real smoothly now. I haven't had any problem zooming fast enough to follow lacrosse...

Originally Posted by RandySmugMug if you hold the lens up it is stiff because the lens is so heavy but anything at horizontal or lower and it's fine

You've moved up my time table, I wasn't planning on getting the bigma until August or September...when I got an additional body to throw it on. But, if you don't hear from Brett I'll take it.

You're also making me get a monopod. I have one that'll get thrown into the forum here since it can't handle the weight of the bigma. Shopping is fun, I need my check from smugmug.

How do you prefer payment?

Thanks!
Christina

Originally Posted by Phyxius You've moved up my time table, I wasn't planning on getting the bigma until August or September...when I got an additional body to throw it on. But, if you don't hear from Brett I'll take it. You're also making me get a monopod. I have one that'll get thrown into the forum here since it can't handle the weight of the bigma. Shopping is fun, I need my check from smugmug. How do you prefer payment? Thanks! Christina

PM sent

You're also making me get a monopod. I have one that'll get thrown into the forum here since it can't handle the weight of the bigma.
How do you prefer payment?

Thanks!
Christina[/quote]

Pssst. If you do decide to off that monopod, Think of me, I'm not desperate yet, but still looking for one. I do a lot of Mountain biking event photo's and would like to get ahold of a decent monopod.

is this the DG version?

Thanks Randy!

The Bigma arrived on Tuesday and I was itching to play with it, but I've been super busy at work (stupid PGA tour and stock holders meeting). I was able to run around for about 10 minutes this morning and snap a few shots...





These next two are pretty close to a 100% crops at 500mm -





I need a monopod. Apparently I can't handhold the Bigma, pointing up @ 500mm at 1/40 (this was the best of about 5 like shots).

nice pics Christinia...
have fun with the new lens, i'm sure it will serve you well

Originally Posted by Phyxius Thanks Randy! The Bigma arrived on Tuesday and I was itching to play with it, but I've been super busy at work (stupid PGA tour and stock holders meeting). I was able to run around for about 10 minutes this morning and snap a few shots...

I’m thinking of getting a Bigma? Did you handhold those shots or did you rest the camera on something?

Any links to more shots taken with this lens?