Lens Construction 20 elements in 16 groups Closest Focusing 1m / 3.28 ft Filter Attachment Size 86mm Weight 1,850g Dia. x Length (mm) 95 x 216
Content and images originally posted by Andy Bright
Reviews
Widowmaker's review
This was my first "Big Lens" purchase and my second Sigma lens with the 105mm EX Macro being my first. Having dealt with the 105mm lens first, which lacks the Hypersonic Motor (HSM), I was very impressed with the quiet and fast zoom of the 50-500. Image quality is very good but appears to be on the soft side when comparing to other images taken with the same camera model (Digital Rebel) and lens. This could be a problem with my camera or user error :) .
The lens appears to be very well built and rugged. The tripod collar is very sturdy and can be removed is desired. It also allows you to rotated the lens inside the collar with a simple twist of a locking knob.
The 50-500 has a locking switch that serves two purposes. With the lens fully retracted, the lock prevents the lens from creeping out when pointed down. The second use is for the 2X EX APO Teleconverter. When using this converter, the lens is adjusted to 100 mm and the lock is then engaged. This prevents the lens from going lower than 100mm and physically hitting the converter when attached. I also own the 2X converter. It takes the 50-500 lens to F11 making it very light hungry and softens images more.
The only negative comment I have is that when the lens hood is in the stored position it covers approximately 1/2 of the zoom ring and can intefere with rotation of the ring in the 50-100mm range.
Overall I am pleased with this lens but have some concern about the soft images. I was expecting to produce images that would be sharp straight from the camera but I find myself doing some type of sharpening on all images. Again I have seen much sharper results so this may be due to my shooting method or may camera.
Take a look at my gallery for a few samples. I would also search on pbase for images taken with this lens. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Pros
- Image quality and image color. Fast
- quiet zoom.
Cons
- Weight. Soft images (lens
- camera or user?)
iwasfixin2's review
I rarely feel strongly enough about a product to post a review, either positive or negative. But I've owned the Sigma 50-500 for almost 2 years now. I've taken more than 1,000 pics with it, and I have more than just an initial impression. It was also my first "big lens" and to be fair, I have taken some really wonderful bird, insect and nature photos with it. But I feel strongly that if you are considering purchasing this lens, there are other more dubious experiences that I want to share with you. About 6 months ago, I could no longer adjust the focal length because the lens extender was jammed. The mechanism that locks the extender had come loose. Naturally, this was not considered a warranty defect and it cost me $150 to fix. Plus, I have a nasty scar along the tube because of the loose mechanism. Ok, so I could live with that, even though I don't feel as though I am "rough" on this lens. It has seen a lot of miles, but it was very protected. However, there are 2 other issues that lead me to believe that Sigma makes inferior products (vs. Nikon or Canon). First, the lens has managed to accumulate a significant amount of dust on the inner lens groups and requires a full overhaul to get at. No telling how much that will cost. I was told this occurs because of the vacuum created when you extend and retract the lens and there is just enough room for dust to get sucked-in. I now have to remove dust from every shot I take with the lens on my D100. And there's one more thing I think you should be aware of. If you envision yourself taking some great action shots of birds in flight with this lens, you need to consider another lens. After hundreds of missed shots and blurred images, I decided to rent a fixed focal length 300mm lens just to see if it was me or the lens. The first 10 shots I took with the rental lens convinced me that the Sigma 50-500mm was simply too slow to capture birds on the wing.
These are simply the opinions and observations of one birder. Your mileage may vary, and if you are ecstatic with your 50-500mm, then I say good on you. That's how I wanted to be when I shelled-out the big bucks for this lens.
Pros
- Nice telephoto range; Big
- but not excessively heavy
Cons
- Very slow lens; Not built for serious trekking; Gets internal dirt very easily
A_Norm's review
I have photographed many birds both stationary and in flight that I otherwise would never have been able to capture had it not been for the 50-500. A few examples can be found here: http://www.brsd.ab.ca/nnorway/carrweb/oct_2005/oct2Bweb/focus1a.jpg
http://www.brrd.ab.ca/nnorway/carrweb/sept/s26_web/S26%20136_x.jpg
http://www.brsd.ab.ca/nnorway/carrweb/oct_2005/oct2web/oct2%20119.jpg
As for build, well, someone cluelessly forgot that they had left the lens on the top of a vehicle, drove off, and the lens, with camera, fell from the roof, bounced hard on the trunk, and dropped to the asphalt knocking the batteries from the battery grip and breaking the attached filter. Following the accident it was tested and worked perfectly with only a few tiny scratches. The car was more damaged. Above photographs (links) were taken after that unfortunate accident.
If I lost the lens tomorrow (and I use the word, lost, because I think the lens is unbreakable), I would have a new one ordered the next day. I would not be without this lens for any length of time.
The very worst I can say about it is that it is not a 4 or 2.8 so one loses a bit of AF speed and light. I am now using the Mark II body which definitely helps with capturing flight and shooting at high ISO. The combination is excellent. However, I still got extremely decent photographs with the 300D prior to my Mark II purchase.
It is a lens that any serious birder -- who cannot really afford the big L guns -- should not be without. And, even then, it is a lot lighter and easier to hand-hold. All of the above shots were hand-held at 500 to 1000mm
Pros
- Sharpness
- reach
- build
Cons
- heavy (but what 500mm is light besides a mirror?)
angus56's review
I bought the non-DG version for my Pentax *ist D as an end-of-line special offer. I am very pleased with the results. A very solid lens with very crisp and nice picture quality. A slightly colder pic than with my Pentax-zoom but not in any way unpleasant. Also tried it with a 1.4 TC (Sigma APO) and still delivered crisp pics. The range is simply amazing and I am very pleased with my purchase - especially when I think of the Anti-shake Pentax coming up. Not to be recommended for those who want to travel light - however, instead of up to four lenses I normally get away with just 2 and a TC. I cannot comment on the dust-gathering - nothing visible there yet, but then I've only taken 300-400 shots with the lens.
Pros
- Very versatile
- in combo with 16-45mm that's all you need
- image quality
- for me easy to handhold
Cons
- heavy to carry around
- especially on camera
- flimsy lock-button
