Non Astro images - Sigma 150-600mm (Mach Loop)

[Al.Grant]

I've not managed to try out my new Sigma 150-600mm lens on any astro stuff yet but did get a chance to use it on some faster moving stuff.

The daylight was a bit hazy on both days, but overall I was happy with it and it's a huge step up over the Tamron 70-300mm that I had been using.

 

All images were hand held - the close in fast jets were moving about 500mph. All reduced in size for posting.

Over the 2 days we managed to get up the hills there were 20 aircraft passes - not including the long range C-17 and an even longer sighting of a US F-22 (if only those had come lower!)

 

USAF C-17 (approx 4 miles away) - Full 600mm and heavily cropped.

 

 

RAF Typhoon FGR4

 

Army Wildcat

 

RAF Hawk T2 - Moving fast and banking hard enough to rip a bit of moisture from the air.

 

 

This lens was bought for astro/wildlife/sports and the aircraft.  

I'm really looking forward to our next visit and the intention (weather permitting) is to try it out on the Astrotrac for some astrophotography

 

 

[Doc]

Nice photos Al, I like them all, amazing how much reach you can get with these lenses.

[philjay]

Great photos. Yep 600 pulls in that much more

[Al.Grant]

9 minutes ago, philjay said:

Great photos. Yep 600 pulls in that much more

Yeah - a big jump compared to my other lenses.

Also so much sharper at full zoom than my Tamron was.  That was always quite soft its 300mm limit.

I'm planning an early morning trip down to Kelham Bridge nature reserve near us next week to see what's around and then try some astro with it next time I'm over in Wales (nice dark skies) or try it on the Moon before that if the skies are clear enough. 

[Doc]

I was at Kelham Bridge a few weeks ago, a nice little nature reserve.

[+Graham]

Amazingly crisp and detailed images especially at the speed they must have been traveling 

[BAZ]

Some great shots there, the C-17 is still crisp even fully racked out.

[Tweedledee]

Very nice shots. ?

[+Bino-viewer]

Some really good shots there Alastair.

I must visit this 'Mach Loop' place.

 

A question : are you using a Full Frame or smaller sized sensor ?

I'm guessing if you are using APS-C or similar the focal lengths will actually be equivilant to something like 225-900mm ?

[Al.Grant]

 

11 hours ago, Bino-viewer said:

Some really good shots there Alastair.

I must visit this 'Mach Loop' place.

 

A question : are you using a Full Frame or smaller sized sensor ?

I'm guessing if you are using APS-C or similar the focal lengths will actually be equivilant to something like 225-900mm ?

It's a Canon EOS 750D body.  With a crop factor of x1.6. So that puts it at 906mm on full zoom.

Without the stabilisation, it would be very difficult to use 'handheld' at that level.  

 

The Mach Loop is well worth a visit ...... But be warned IT GETS ADDICTIVE. 

 

This gives an idea of how close and the level the aircraft come through the loop - The fast jets are usually moving at around 500mph when they come through.

The Hercules etc are a good deal slower and easier to track.

I've got a good few close it shots where my panning wasn't quick enough and I clipped a bit of the aircraft off. 

The Typhoon cockpit shot above is a good example .........  that's all I got ? - It's worse if I clip the nose off!

 

This Typhoon is one of the early builds and was on her last sortie before being retired and used for spares.