So it looks like the issues I identify here also apply to other 3rd party long telephoto zooms, including Tamron lenses of the same vintage. Same pulsing behaviour on servo autofocus with eye detection. And as of Jul 30/22, the same issues have also been seen with older Canon EF mount lenses used with R series cameras.

I have Sigma 150 600 paired with R7. The eye detect works great. I suggest watch Duade’s latest video. His suggested settings fix the pulsing issue work.

Thank you for the information you shared. This helped me make my decision between the Sigma 150-600mm and the Canon RF 100-400 (budget-friendlier version). I was leaning more towards the Sigma at first but after watching another video plus yours regarding the pulsing. That was what helped me make my decision. I have to agree the RF 100-500mm is very attractive but comes at a price tag too. Everything you said makes sense to me especially when it came to subject of fitting an older tech (EF) with a newer tech (Canon R).

So I responded to this vid 6 months ago, when I too was having LOTS of focus pulsing issues with my R5 + the Sigma 150-600. Then, literally as I was waiting for my new RF 800 F11 to be shipped, I watched a video by Duade Paton with Simon Thibodaux, with a semi-fix for the focus pulsing issue. I followed all the steps, and tested it like 1 afternoon. Seemed to work very well.... But the next day, my RF 800 came in, and I started killing it with this lens, and could hardly force myself to take it off. Recently, I've started thoroughly testing the R5 + 150-600, and confirmed that it is working MUCH better. Now I want to buy an R7 for a backup to my R5. One great thing, is that on a crop sensor camera, the Sigma 150-600 will be = to 240-960mm ! Perfect for nearly all my bird photography. Just not sure how well the focus pulsing fix will work for the Sigma with the R7 ? Have you since tried the focus pulsing fix suggested by Duade Paton and Simon T ?

I already had the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary which I have been using successfully on my 5DsR so I was dismayed by reading all of the reports about problems with using it on the R series especially as I had to wait several months for my R7 to finally be delivered having traded in my Panasonic G9 and PL100-400mm lens against it on the strength of being able to utilise my EF lenses with it. However, I have been very pleasantly surprised and have found the Sigma to be be working more than acceptably well on my R7 with a very high percentage of sharp bird (including eye detect autofocus) and small fast very distant military aircraft in sharp focus. I bought the RF 100-400mm for a light walk around lens, and my only native RF lens, and that is great and fantastic value for money but I still keep going back to the Sigma for the extra reach especially as the RF 100-500mm is outside my budget.

Thank you for the informative and helpful video! God bless and good luck!

I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this video! I have owned the Sigma for a few years now and it works great with my Canon 1D Mark IV, but I had been considering purchasing the R5. This video has me changing that decision! If you still have your Sigma, a good camera to have as an extra is a 7D Mark ii. Happy shooting!!

Thanks Old Girl. Because of all this I have forgone getting the Sigma or Tamron and ordered the Canon 100-500. I hate losing the reach and about 1/3 stop but focus is certainly more important. 3rd party software helps a lot with higher ISO's too. I like you're laid back style. Subscribed.

First of all, I would like to say what a pleasure it was to catch your video, and it was lovely to hear a Canadian accent again! I lived in Hamilton, ON, for about 6 years before moving to Victoria, BC. I now live in Auckland, New Zealand. I started my professional career in 1980, but am now retired, so I have quite a few things in common with you. My preferred genres are wildlife, scenic and travel, but I have also shot architecture, portraits, commercial and industrial stuff. In NZ, birds are the dominant wildlife form, so my experiences are very much couched with shooting them. So, to your experience... I do understand your frustration with challenges using third-party lenses. I got the R5 and a couple of R6 units about 20 months ago along with the 100-500, 24-105 L units, and the 24-240 (which, by the way, is a surprisingly good all-rounder!). However, in my fairly vast array of legacy gear I have the Sigma 150-600c and 60-600s lenses, and I tried them on my R5 and R6 units via the Canon basic EF-RF adapter. To be honest I had no issues unless I was shooting close to minimum focusing distance - an experience echoed by respected Australian bird photographer Duade Paton in one of his videos on the subject. I have not checked your settings at the time of responding, but there may be some subtle difference in how we have our units set up. One thing of note is that Canon have released a long series of firmware updates for the R6 and R5 to fix issues with tracking and focus that are apparent even for their own lenses, and the current one at this time is 1.6.0. I have been diligent in keeping up with those as the results have been significant. FWIW, I was getting fairly reliable focus tracking from f/w version 1.5.2 onwards on all lenses: including both of the Sigma lenses, but I was staying away from shots at closest distance, as I had other bodies and lenses to switch to for that. I think all telephoto lenses are challenged there. I don't post on the web, and one can't seem to post links to comments, so I shall have to leave it at that. As to responsibility... As you say, Sigma did announce that their lenses were not designed to be compatible with the R-series bodies and Canon have (as always) been clear they take no responsibility for 3rd party gear, and for their own legacy lenses they have published a list of units that work best with both tracking and IBIS. In the end it is, as always, a case of caveat emptor, and doing the research oneself. Part of that is keeping up with firmware updates from both lens and camera makers, which is a bit of a labour of love!

I need to take a closer look. I use my Sigma 150-600C with my R5 and haven't noticed such issue. I did change from single point focus to an area setup (Center vertical) with better results than with the single point that I normally used on the DSLR..... but I haven't noticed the issues mentioned here.

Yes, I agree with you. I bought the Sigma 150-600 for that reason. The price is more affordable than the canon lens, but when used, it is found that There is a problem in focusing on the actual eyes as you said. Now I'm deciding once again to get a new lens. For use with my EOS R7, which would definitely be the RF 100-500 f7.1. from Thailand Thank you

Thank you for the information. I have the said sigma lens and paired with my R7 to photo one of the grand children on sports day. I got enough good shots to keep me happy. I don’t use the lens enough cash to spring on the Canon RF version, so it’s the Sigma for me. “lol’

Some example shots would have been useful. Let's compare. Just a suggestion for future videos. I would have loved to have seen some RAW photo examples, maybe even between the two lenses. Also curious if you tried docking the Sigma and updating it's settings? Some people have had great results with that and the eye tracking.

This is really good information. A friend of mine just bought a canon are used and he has the Sigma 150 to 600 and he was just telling me that he had focussing issues and I found your video and sent it to him. This explains it why

As a user who has this combination and have taken over at least 50,000 photos over the last three years. My experience was acceptable, but after watching your video, for the first time I doubted my decision to keep using this combo. so I have upgraded to the canon prime 600 mm and I spent about $8000 for that lens. Just so you know that your video has an impact.

Unfortunately, this problem seems to be universal with Canon RF cameras. They are amazing pieces of technology but Canon's refusal to allow 3rd party lens manufacturers access to their software specs suggests wonderful new and innovative lenses won't be available to RF mount users any time soon. This appears to me as a cash grab by Canon forcing RF users to purchase RF lenses. You were effectively forced to purchase a very good lens, Canon 100-500 but at a Canadian price at $3,800 + tax = $4,300 in Ontario. Your Sigma 150 - 600 will work perfectly on any Sony body at 1/3 fo that price. That same Sony body would also work well with your Tamron lenses and most other 3rd party lenses. Last year I took my first major step into photography and was forced to make that all important decision, which platform do I purchase. My brother and sister-in-law are a huge Canon supporters with meaningful investments in bodies and lenses and both encouraged me to buy Sony simply for the availability of lens choice and compatibility. There is no doubt the Canon R5 is an amazing camera. but sadly, Canon's corporate policies regarding lenses encouraged me to look elsewhere.

Hi! To update, the problems seems to have been fixed somehow, in the newer units. I got my Sigma just a few months back from time of this comment, and can happily report that it works quite seamlessly with both the R5 and the R8 body!

I thought I would provide an update to my experiences with the canon, our bodies and the sigma 150 to 600 lens. After speaking with a canon rep, I made the purchase of an R6 body to work with the Sigma lens. I am happy to report that I have had exceptional results using the combination. Good thing as I cannot afford the body and the Canon 100-500 lens also. I have some eye issues and this combination has been a game changer for me.

I get pulsing with my 16mm RF sometimes. I also don't seem to have great luck with the eye detect, and now I wonder if it's because the two lenses I use the most are the EF 50mm 1.8 and the EF 70-200mm 2.8 IS USM from like '95. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it'll focus on a hand instead of an obvious face. Many times it doesn't focus on the subject I wanted if there is other stuff in the frame. Maybe upgrading my glass, whenever I can afford it, will help. I was considering this lens for the eclipse.

Thank you Nina, that was quite the experience for you. I truly appreciate the level of research you provide.

Thanks for your voice adding to many saying the same things. I'd seen Duades videos and was nervous about my combo (same as yours, R5 Plus 150/600C , but had been getting good results, until recently. Lately my keeper rate has dropped significantly and the only thing I can put it down to is the lens. The cost of the 100/500 is prohibitive almost here in NZ at around NZD$5500 so i'm not sure what i'm going to do but i do not enjoy going out into the field and missing potentially award winning or sellable shots with out of focus results. Again thanks for your view. Subscribed. :)

On the other hand, the Canon EF 100-400L II, does work extremely well with the R5 and adapter. That is a cheaper option, especially with the second hand market. You can also use extenders at the full focal range (not possible with the RF100-500).

Thanks a lot with such a value able information…thanks

Great video, thank you! I am a Nikon shooter had have not yet made the jump to mirrorless. This gives me even more to think about! Your new Canon lens looks like a fabulous piece of glass and I think you will be very happy with your choice in the long run. I have a native 500mm f5.6 which I use for birds/wildlife and it is rarely off of my cropped sensor camera.

Well summarized! Exact issue on the R7 as well. My struggle with Canon is that there is nothing comparable to this Sigma lens in the RF lineup in terms of cost/range/aperture. The RF 100-500 is a great lens, but it's nearly $4300 CAD now with tax. That is an enormous investment for hobbiests who just want a good value lens. It's a shame Canon is allegedly locking out 3rd parties like Sigma from producing affordable lenses. I'm sure folks will be hesitant to upgrade given Canon's claims that any EF lens can be adapted have shown to not be the case.

Very useful information for the future. Happy to subscribe.

i use the Sigma 60-600mm F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Canon EF.. for the best wildlife performance one should use the sports version a clip was distributed about it and I have it and have no problem with it

Wonderful content, I was on edge to get the combination, thanks for saving me frustration

One more thing to mention; I’ve read about some issues with the Canon 100-500, be careful with the lens collar. It apparently doesn’t take much to have itself come loose. Not a deal breaker but something to be aware of.

Hi. Very interesting. Thank you. I had this problem on the 150-600 G2 Tamron. I have the EF 100-400 MARK II that is a great lens and works fantastically on my R5. But a bit limited in focal length for bird photography. But my extender x 1.4 helps me in a good light situation. Your RF100-500 is the best fit for your R5. I project to do the same.

I was going to add that I found the same issue, where the autofocus constantly hunts and never sets on a perfect focus. I'm a beginner and tried to match up a older Canon EF mount lens on a newer Rebel t8i. I found a couple Canon lenses that are slow to focus and another that is not only slow buts hunts... I have since replaced the lenses with brand new equipment that delivers the results I expected. Thank you for your experience, because it confirms my opinion and conclusions.

Many thanks for the video.I tried Sigma 150mm to 600mm contemp.lens on Canon R5 ,but I didn't get any good snaps.Some are overexposed and most of them are blurry.I was perplexed.Now I am cool and offering many good wishes for your postings.

Great video. I have the Sigma lens also, and purchased it for the same reason most people do. I am still using a T5i and 6D camera bodies and have debated about an R6. That alone can break the bank( I retired in 2019 so I know the financial burdens too😁). This was good information for me. I’m not sure that switching bodies would be advantageous because of the enormous expense of the new Canon RF lenses. I’ve been a photographer for fifty years, thirty of them working at a photo college. It is sad to see costs going so much higher on new gear.

Nina, thanks a lot. I had excactly the same issue with my Sigma 150-600 and the R6. I will sell my Sigma and I will buy a Canon RF 100-500. My biggest investment in gear ever.

The true cost of gear isn't the list price, it's the difference between what you actually pay, and what you sell it for. I usually shop around eBay, find out what the going price is, try to shave a few percent off that, take the time and buy one cheap. Then take care of it, and later sell it just a few percent higher than the going rate. Take the cheapest shipping option, not fastest, etc. etc. Canon's development and replacement speed is going to be at least 2-5x slower (sales are 90% lower than the peak years for SLR equipment, thanks to cell phones) so stuff bought now will be current far longer than before. And while 1990s (or earlier) gear usually had shortcomings you could see even in casual friends-and-family photos, today's gear is honestly simply better than almost anyone needs. The 100-500 can actually resolve more detail on the R5 than excellent EF primes so I think the age of constant upgrading of lenses is behind us for a while.

Thanks for the video. I'm still on DSLR and interesing about the 150-600 for a long time now. I'd say I'd buy it from you, but i'm in Hungary, so I guess it wouldn't be a good idea, because of the delivery fee and tax on it. Do you have photos with Sigma 150-600 before you change the camera body to Canon R5?

Very thoughtful video thanks

Mam, I am new to wildlife photography. I have bought a Canon R6 body recently. But, I am in a dilemma to buy RF800 or Tamron 150-600. Please, advice me. Thanks in advance.

You have just saved me over $1,000 in buying yet one more lens that doesn't use eye focusing well!!! My Tameron 18-400 is terrible with it! So I was about 10 minutes away from purchasing the Sigma, when your review came up. Now......do I want to spend 3X's more $$$ on the Canon. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............not sure yet. I am 73 years old and while I'm well fed and live in a comfortable home, I'm VERY FAR from being rich! That lighter weight is most tempting, because I have severe arthritis in my wrists. What will I do???? Dunno!!

I thought the pulsing could be fixed with the sigma dock?

Same issue with my EOS R Body and Tamron 18-400mm via adapter, Im having difficulty getting a good AF

WoW ! Sounds like we are on the exact same page ! I also have the R5 (most amazing piece of camera technology I've ever owned !!!) but along with my Sigma 150-600c, I get such a small % of perfect sharp shots :( I generally have to crop a lot for small birds too. But when I used to use the Sigma 1.4 teleconverter, the OOF issue was even worse. I am getting ready to rent a Canon RF 100-500 + the 1.4 and 2.0 TC's. It would be a very tough purchase for me as well. But if I can bump my % of sharp shots from 15% to 80% like Duade Paton has, that will make my whole life better. About the Sigma.... I'm thinking I won't sell it, because 1) I won't get anything for it anyway, 2) it would still be nice to have a backup, no matter what my main lens is, and 3) maybe someday, Canon or Sigma, will come out with a fix ? Thank you for the honest, open video.

It s the same with the Canon R10, I made a mistake buying the adapter and the Sigma 600 mm.

What about Sigma 60-600? I’ve seen lots of people happy about it

Thanks for this information

That Canon lens is close to NZ$6000 !! Not much cheaper than a Canon R5 Body 😀

I went through the same dilemma after getting my R5. I couldn’t understand why the Sigma focus was so poor. Then I decided to sell my Sigma 150-600 and my beloved Canon 100-400 and purchase the RF 100-500. It’s an amazing lens and between selling the two lenses and purchasing the one, I’ve shaved three pounds out of my kit.

have you done all the camera updates the firmware I have no problems with it and win prizes with my photos with my Sigma 150-600 & R5 and R6 ???

Thanks! It’s been a few months and I’m still holding my credit card. How’s the 100-500 now?😊

on my r6 is working well

I have canon r10 and i have no idea,get it camera r10 converter and sigma 150-600

Sigma lenses do not work well with Canon or Nikon mirrorless. They work better on Sony, because the MC-11 adapter made by Sigma back in 2016 uses the protocols licensed directly from Sony. On a separate note, Canon is now banning third-party lens manufacturers to make RF mount autofocus lenses. Hence, for photographers who are only willing to shoot with Canon cameras, they will have to buy lenses from only Canon and not from Tamron/Sigma.

Muito obrigado pela informação !!!!

Firstly Sigma has never even once Advertised the lense nevermind marketed the lense FOR MIRRORLESS . BECAUSE IT IS NOT FOR MIRRORLESS UNLESS YOU USE A EF TO RF ADAPTER . Furthermore The lense is plagued with AF ISSUES because i have one that is theee biggest let down . Don't get wrong the lense for the money that being £849 is a bargin for a beginner/hobbyist like myself and i've got good pics from using it ... with my CANON 850D and Canon90D . Even when i bought the USB Dock and Customised the settings i've found that after a period of time the AF GOES FUBAR like it did recently after getting my 90D . Was majorly pissed off .. But you get what you pay for . When buying Budget . Even there macro lense isn't great

Does the sigma 60-600mm have the same problems?

EF or EF-S lenses were NOT DESIGNED for RF mount mirrorless cameras, hence WHY you need to use a special adapter!! That is your FIRST CLUE! So having issues with functionality when adapting a lens to a camera that it was NOT designed to work with, is not surprising and should be expected! That simple! That is like running older software that was designed for windows 7 on Windows 11. Sure it will run, but there will likely be issues!

Nice to have $$$$$! Me, I would take the DSLR out of cold storage. ;-)

It’s so hard to say goodbye to my sigma baby.

This may have already been posted (full disclosure, I didn't look through every comment here) but Duade Paton, whose picture you showed as you were discussing the Sigma / R5 pulsing issue, has put out another video in which he tests out some specific lens/ camera settings that were provided to him from one of his viewers that seems to significantly improve the AF situation when using the Sigma lens. Is it perfect? No, but according to his testing the settings make the issues much better. I have the Sigma 150-600 and just bought the R5. I will be going to Bosque Del Apache soon and plan to try out these new settings, which I have committed to the customized settings on the camera and the lens. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/op2EeNhiuc3VZX0.html

❤❤👌👌👍👍😊😊

the sigma 150-600mm contemporary is my dream lens for my canon 6d. i'm going to college and would love to take pics of the sporting events. it's quite heavy & i'd also want a monopod, so i'm looking at about a grand investment 😅 i'm fully manual so i dont worry about anything but lens sharpness and barrel durability. eventually would like a sigma 16-25mm f1.8 art lens for indoor photography. for now, my canon 24-105mm & 85mm f1.8 both work for my budget. i appreciate this video! sorry it didn't work as intended :(

A lens is optics and a focus motor. The camera is steering everything. Eye detect is not a lens feature, it is a camera feature. So, blaming the Sigma does not help. It is the Camera which does not work properly. I use the Sigma on a Nikon and it works perfectly in all modes. So do not draw conclusions about the "cheap" lens. The lens is fine. Canon just want to sell you overpriced lenses.

Yeah, just get rid of the Sigma lens and get the proper Canon lens.

I keep telling people not to buy the Sigma.. but so many still do...and always end up being disappointed. On the other hand the RF 100-500 rocks!