Sonchaux Acro Show

[tcom]

Hi

The reason I had the Sigma 50-500/4.5-6.3 HSM with me for the Street Artists festival was the Sonchaux Acro Show which is held at the same time.

Here is a selection of photos I took during the hanggliding and paragliding aerobatic show of the Sonchaux Acro Show, all taken with K-7 and Sigma 50-500.

All shots are hand held

1
500mm, f/6.3, 1/1250s, heavy crop


2
450mm, f/8, 1/1000s


3
450mm, f/10, 1/1000s


4
370mm, f/9, 1/1000s


5
140mm, f/5.6, 1/1000s


6
500mm, f/9, 1/1000s


7
370mm, f/10, 1/1000s


8
170mm, f/7.1, 1/1000s


These and more photos are under
http://www.pbase.com/tcom/chsonchaux2010 and
http://www.flickr.com/pho...g/sets/72157624780532934/

[Ron Kruger]

Man, these are really good. This is what they call the Big Ma, right? Some day I've gotta have one.

[tcom]

Thank you Ron. Yes, they call it Bigma

[Ron Kruger]

This lens seem sharp at various focal lengths, even 500mm, and retains that sharpness pretty well up to f-10. That's impressive.
You obviously had perfect light conditions for these shots. How does it do at 500mm with evening and morning light, which is when I do most of my wildlife photography?

[Mike Pearson]

Very nice series Dominique especially the capture on #5 

Mike

[tcom]

Thank you both for the comments.

Ron: I have not tried it yet for wildlife in early morning or late afternoon, but it is probably not a so good performed in this area because of the f/6.3 aperture at 500mm. It will require pretty high iso to which needs to maintain a good enough shutter speed.

[scott-devon]

Super shots, especially for hand held.

[Ron Kruger]

A solid monopod might be a great way to handle, carry and stabalize this Bigma. I've got that. Now I need a Bigma.

[blackcloudbrew]

Ron, are you getting LBA? I'm worried about you. BTW Dom has more lenses than I do (or at least I think he does).

[Ron Kruger]

No, no, these are all pragmatic business decisions.
I can quit any time I want.

[JIMBO]

No, no, these are all pragmatic business decisions.
I can quit any time I want.

You kill me! Messaging ones goals in life can be interestng, as it really depends on ones hobbies and what one will give up to meet those goals. Quit, no way for you Ron as you have so much to complete. I enjoy your journey and you make me want to open possibiles. Thank you JIM

[tcom]

Ron: a monopod does certainly make things a lot easier with the Bigma, but a monopod is not ideal for shooting this kind of photos where the action happens above your head.

blackcloudbrew: having quite a large lens collection, it is likely that I do have more lenses. The problem is that the number of lenses does not cure my severe LBA.

I do have the DA*50-135 which is an excellent lens IQ wise, but the AF is slow. This is in general not a problem for me, but when I am paid to be an official photographer at a beach volleyball world championship, the slow AF is a pain. That's why I do have on order a Sigma 50-150/2.8 HSM for a tryout to check for the AF.