rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

I've read the specs, What's the diff...biff? Especially the 150-500 zooms. I can see that the Art lens have a fast aperture.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The 150-500 & the 150-600 ZOOMS do NOT come in an ART version. The diff is essentially what you noticed. They ART lenses are faster. The ART lenses are better built, more sophisticated formulas and yield better results. For that, you usually pay more and get a heavier lens. Best of luck.

User ID

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Sigma expounds on that in their online
material, and it seems like 10% useful
categorization and 90% marketing BS.

I have some Sigmas. I like them. Mine
are all older ones. If I want any newer
ones, I certainly wouldn't bother about
choosing by categories, just my usage.

`

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I would respectfully disagree. There are major differences between their older lenses and their newer series. There are also major differences between the Contemporary, Art and Sport series as they are designed and built for different purposes. Best of luck.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

ART is what cjc says, CONTEMPORARY is what Sigma would consider to be a "no frills lens," still high quality but a step below. SPORT is optimized for sports, wildlife, fast focusing, etc.

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

I do not see any differences in the specs for the 2 versions of the 150-500. Spend less money - get less of a lens? Can anyone point me to a reviews of the contemp and Sport zooms that articulate the differences of the 2 lens?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

First, there are NO current versions of the old 150-500mm Sigma, and there was only one version of it when it was a current lens.
Second, have you not read the specs between the Contemporary and Sport versions of the 150-600mm lenses? Apparently not.

Feature,...…..Sport ,...………………………………..Contemporary

Weight,...…...100.9 oz,........................…...68 oz
Dims.,...……...4.8" x 11.4",..................…….4.1" x 10.2"
Const.,...……..24 elmnts, 16 groups,...……...20 elmnts, 14 groups
Sealing,...…...Fully weather sealed,............None
Barrel,...……..100% Magnesium,.........……...100% Polycarbonate
Hood,...……….Magnesium,..................……...Polycarbonate

Seems I can find many differences looking at the specs that you seem unable to read. I wonder why this may be????

mrpentaxk5ii

Not sure what you are reading when you say you can't see the difference, go to B&H read the specs, the Sport lens is longer better auto focus and more glass inside the lens.

ggab Loc: ?

Consider this review:

https://improvephotography.com/36962/sigma-150-600mm-sport-vs-contemporary-lens-review/

ggab Loc: ?

Or this review:

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=19903

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

Thank you! This is the type of review I was looking for.

ggab Loc: ?

You are very welcome.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Sigma's "Contemporary" lenses are their lower cost, "general consumer" grade.

Their Art and Sport lenses are enhanced in various ways. You can expect Art lenses to have extra attention to image qualities such as background blur and "bokeh", correction of various distortions, better edge to edge sharpness, better flare control, etc. Their Sports lenses will have some of the same plus faster focusing performance, likely will be better sealed for weather resistance and are usuall built sturdier for durability with rough handling.

None of their lenses I'm aware of come in all three varieties.

When it comes to the 150-600mm you have choice Contemporary (approx. $1000) or Sports (approx. $1800).

The Sports version of that lens offers more somewhat refined image quality, faster focusing, better weather sealing and more robust build. It's also considerably more expensive, bigger and heavier.

But if you compare with what powerful telephotos typically cost before these were offered, even the 150-600mm Sport looks like a bargain. Prime 500mm and 600mm lenses commonly cost close to $10,000. Even Sigma's own 500mm f/4.5 still costs $5000. And their 800mm f/5.6 goes for $6600. (Neither of those have OS image stabilization, either... like the 150-600s do.) Sigma's 120-300mm f/2.8 costs $3400, while their 300-800mm goes for $8000 and their massive, 35 lb. 200-500mm f/2.8 costs a stunning $26,000!

Extensive and detailed reviews of both lenses - including comparisons, as well as test shots you can compare side by side and sample images from both - can be seen here:

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6.3-DG-OS-HSM-Contemporary-Lens.aspx
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-150-600mm-f-5-6.3-DG-OS-HSM-Sports-Lens.aspx

Bryan's reviews are very thorough, based on "real world" use as well as various testing and generally quite accurate. Click through "Image Quality" to see test shots done with both at various settings (For sake of comparison, it doesn't matter what camera was used, so long as it's the same format and similar resolution.) You can compare the two zooms side-by-side at various focal lengths and apertures. While all the shots of a lens test target can be informative (found under the Image Quality link), other factors such as vignetting, flare resistance, distortions, and general specifications are also available.

Sigma's two 150-600mm essentially replaced and improved upon three "consumer grade" lenses Sigma previously offered: a 120-400mm OS, 150-500mm OS and a rather hefty 50-500mm OS.

gwilliams6

I have extensively used both Sigma 150-600mm lenses, and unless you need arctic ruggedness the Contemporary version is the better buy. In my tests the Contemporary version actually was a little sharper at most focal lengths than the Sport version. And the Contemporary version is hand-holdable, the Sport version is NOT, a deal-breaker for me. Also in one reviewer's tests the Contemporary version held its wider maximum aperture longer as you zoomed up its focal range than the Sport version. The Contemporary version is weather sealed enough, and rugged enough for me. The Sport version IMHO is NOT worth almost double the price, and this is coming from a pro of four decades who can afford whatever lenses I prefer. The Contemporary version is one of the best lens buys I have made in my long pro career. Cheers.
Here is one real-world review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6tCUFXiDws

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gwilliams6

BTW I have a few Sigma Art Series lenses and they are every bit the equal of my top Sony G-Master lenses, at less cost. Sigma Art lenses are designed to resolve 50+ megapixel camera image sensors, and they have great image quality and sharpness. Just bought the new Sigma Art 70mm f2.8 Macro lens. Sigma's first ART series macro and the images are stunning. Here are two, jpegs straight out of the camera with no post processing and no noise reduction. Shot handheld in natural light, in Manistee National Forest ,Michigan, last month just after I got the lens. Cheers.

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