Need advice: YES or NO vote on the Sigma 50-500 4.5-6.3: My situation: I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D 610) and do extended vacation travel overseas. In 2017, that came out to about 5...

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

My situation:

I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D 610) and do extended vacation travel overseas. In 2017, that came out to about 5 months in New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. Weight is an issue, but trying to keep track of too much photo gear moving from location to location every 3-4 days is proving a challenge. It is easy to loose stuff and I have! So, I consider weight vs. gear count of equal importance. About 60-65% of my shots end up falling into #1 50-120 and #2 at/above 300 mm focal lengths. My historical practice has been to take 3 lenses, with a TC. This is not working AND not crazy about TC s anyway. So 2 lenses will be the limit: 1 prime and 1 zoom. My trusty Nikon 24 mm 1.4 G is the prime. We are leaving for 6-8 weeks in Italy in April. So what do you think? Ken Rockwell liked this Sigma, and so do many of bloggers. All input is sincerely appreciated but a YES or a NO, with real world experience on this Sigma would really help. Thanks everyone.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

rjandreoff wrote:

My situation: br br I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D ... (show quote)

Here is a link to a recent post about NASAs space photography. The astronaut interviewed stated his favorite lens was the Sigma 50-500mm OS EX DG in that interview. They now use the Nikon D5, but for the last 4 years used the Nikon D4 exclusively.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-504747-1.html

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

rjandreoff wrote:

My situation: br br I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D ... (show quote)

No to sigma, yes to Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens.

ELNikkor

Nikon 28-300. You don't need longer, just crop or move yourself, and enjoy the portability!

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

All Sigmas are heavy! A 300mm F4 AFS is an excellent compromise

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I know someone who has the FX 28-300mm on his DX D7100. It is his everyday lens. He simply loves it.

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

I used to own that lens, image quality is ok but the build quality is fragile. The Nikon 200-500 is a lot nicer lens.

gwilliams6

As an award-winning pro shooter of four decades, i have used about every brand of pro gear, cameras and lenses. The Sigma lenses are excellent optical quality, strong build AND affordable. you won't go wrong with the Sigma. See if you can try one out, even if only in the camera store. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Cheers !

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

rjandreoff wrote:

My situation: br br I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D ... (show quote)

The 50-500 is just ok. It is better than the 28-300 on full frame. I've owned the Sigma, and used the Nikon and there is no way the Nikon is worth what they ask for it.

The 200-500 and the Tamron 150-600 G2 are much better solutions on the long end.

A 24-120 would pair up nicely with either.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

O have an older Sigma 170-500mmm and it is a great, very clear lens

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

rjandreoff wrote:

My situation: br br I am a Nikon shooter (D4, D ... (show quote)

It's amazing how many people don't even bother to READ your requirements, huh, R? ....

What you want to do is get all your gear down to two lenses - the 24 you've decided will be the one, and the 50-500 you hope to be the other. If 65% of all your shooting needs take place in the area - 50mm to 120mm ... and the rest all take place ABOVE 300mm ... then, if you want to have just ONE second lens, the 50-500 is ideal, no?

I have no real world experience with this lens, but the majority of my two dozen lenses are all Sigma. If I could swing some $1700 for just one lens, the 50-500 would be it!

Bill_de Loc: US

So much for the Yes - No vote.

I think if you eliminate all the responses from people who never shot with this lens, not just a lens by the same manufacturer, you still have very limited information. If you have time go rent or borrow one. Try to find images that were shot through this lens.

I wanted to try one, but my friend who bought it decided she didn't like the image quality and returned it. Of course it could have been her fault and not the lens.

--

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Bill_de wrote:

So much for the Yes - No vote.

I think if you eliminate all the responses from people who never shot with this lens, not just a lens by the same manufacturer, you still have very limited information. If you have time go rent or borrow one. Try to find images that were shot through this lens.

I wanted to try one, but my friend who bought it decided she didn't like the image quality and returned it. Of course it could have been her fault and not the lens.

--

Definitely the lens.

ToBoldlyGo Loc: London U.K.

I've owned the Sigma you mention, and now own the Nikkor 200-500. I know this may not be a comparison you're looking for. I will say though that the optical quality of the Sigma at the long end isn't as nice as the Nikon. The image almost seems distorted by comparison. The Nikon does a far better job, and is a lot sharper, and just renders nicer. The modern lenses by all manufacturers I believe will be better options, so if you're happy with say a 150-600, Sigma or Tamron may have your answer. Please bear in mind I bought my lens over 10 years ago, there might be a more up to date version on the market. Hope this helps a little.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Update: 6 of my two dozen lenses are Sigma glass. That's one quarter. But, when you add it all up, there are more Sigma optics in my collection than any other brand. In addition, the lenses I use on both of my MOST USED Nikon DSLRs - are both Sigmas ... ditto, for my most used Sony alpha. I'm not implying that's a commendation of all Sigma glass, far from it ... but, it is a valued opinion from a Sigma user. The important thing, R - is to assess your needs (which you've already done, quite well) and then to make your decision based on your OWN good judgment. If you find you can rent one for a week, before buying it - do that. Or, buy it, and invoke your 30-day no hassle returns warranty, if it does not suit you, or - fit the bill, adequately. You'd be hard pressed, though - to find another lens, which fits your needs, so exactly .....