SIGMA AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C - NIKON

Although Tamron pioneered the release of the first 150-600mm lens, Sigma followed suit by releasing two versions of lenses with exactly the same focal length and aperture ranges. The smaller and lighter version, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary (the one we are reviewing today), targets the same market as the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, while the much larger and heavier “Sport” version is something unique to Sigma, with no other equivalent competing offers from any other manufacturer.

Being able to reach 600mm without spending a lot of money has been a big dream of many wildlife photographers on a budget, because anything close to the 600mm range typically translates to a very large expense – as much as $12K for the latest generation 600mm f/4 lenses. While the current 150-600mm lenses cannot offer the maximum aperture of f/4, they give a huge focal range to work with, which can be particularly useful when photographing subjects at varying distances.

 As many 600mm prime lens owners know, shooting with long glass is not an easy task due to both weight and atmospheric haze concerns.

Such lenses can be quite limiting when the action is close, such as when photographing bears in Alaska, or taking pictures on an African safari.

 For such occasions, many pros love the 200-400mm f/4 lenses, because they give that flexibility to shoot action at both close and long distances.

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary is a direct competitor of the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 VC, because both lenses span exactly the same focal length and aperture ranges and are priced very similarly.

 In addition, the two lenses practically measure and weigh the same, with very slight differences here and there.

 Optically, both are also constructed very similarly with a total of 20 lens elements and 9 diaphragm blades.

And if we look at the lens construction, along with the manufacturer-provided MTF charts, we can see that those are surprisingly similar as well.

 With so many resemblances between the two lenses, one might wonder if the design of the lens was a joint effort or perhaps one manufacturer “borrowed” the idea from the other?

 While we don’t have answers to these questions, we do know what to expect from both lenses, so in many ways, you could consider these lenses to be practically the same!

• Mount Type: Nikon F-Bayonet (also available for Canon and Sigma mounts)
• Focal Length Range: 150-600mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/5-6.3
• Minimum Aperture: f/22
• Angle of View (FX-format): 16°4’ – 4°1’
• Lens (Elements): 20
• Lens (Groups): 14
• Compatible Format(s): FX, DX
• Diaphragm Blades: 9
• SLD Glass (Elements): 3
• FLD Glass (Elements): 2
• Autofocus: Yes
• HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor): Yes
• Minimum Focus Distance: 110.2 in (2.8m)
• Focus Mode: AF/MF