Sigma 50-500mm vs Sigma 150-500mm: Hi! I am fairly new here and in my readings I have seen many discussions on the Sigma 150-500mm lens and rarely mentioned is the Sigma 50-500mm lens.

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Sigma 50-500mm vs Sigma 150-500mm

Jul 9, 2014 18:56:07 #

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

Hi! I am fairly new here and in my readings I have seen many discussions on the Sigma 150-500mm lens and rarely mentioned is the Sigma 50-500mm lens. Is the 150-500mm a better lens?

Jul 9, 2014 20:02:52 #

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Hi I have the 150 - 500 and really like it, having said that I am led to believe it is the lesser of the two lenses. I can't remember all the points but I think the 50 - 500 is thought to be a bit sharper throughout its range and its aperture might open larger but I am not sure on that. The 150 - 500 is less expensive.

The pictures I have used it for have been very sharp if I remember to hold the camera still or use a tripod, lol. The bad shots are definitely my fault not the lens.

If you use the search feature and search for 50 - 150 or big sig I think you will find there is quite a bit of info on that lens on this forum

Jul 10, 2014 00:26:42 #

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

Thank you for your reply. I have previously done a search but did not really see where the two have been compared much to each other.

Thanks again!

Jul 10, 2014 00:40:54 #

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Having owned and shot both, as well as rented both out of my store, I am a big fan of the 150-500mm model, and not so much of a fan of the 50-500mm model. The later is considerably more expensive (almost double right now), and much less sharp at the long end. I still own and rent the 150's but have sold off all my 150's for that very reason. My customers who rented each almost all ended up buying the 150-500mm.

Jul 10, 2014 06:47:18 #

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I've shot with the 50-500 for some time. The IQ is good throughout, falling off slightly at max reach. I purposely lugged it around one day to try the wider angle end and was very pleased. Also, tired at the end of the day.

Jul 10, 2014 06:49:15 #

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

Japakomom wrote:

Hi! I am fairly new here and in my readings I have seen many discussions on the Sigma 150-500mm lens and rarely mentioned is the Sigma 50-500mm lens. Is the 150-500mm a better lens?

I own a 50-500, though I don't use it much anymore. But when I was looking for a zoom, I remember trying out the 150-500 for a week - I did find the 50-500 a bit sharper, but for maximum sharpness with either lens it is best to stop short of 500mm on zoom, and use F8 for all intents and purposes as your maximum aperture. If you have to raise the ISO a little bit it is easier to deal with the slight increase in noise than a soft image.

BTW, the 50-500 at 500 is actually about 450-460mm. At least that's what it looks like when you compare the framing to what you get with a 400 F2.8.

Jul 10, 2014 09:53:42 #

como Loc: Jersey Shore

I have a 50-500 I use it mostly for shooting football and surfing. I find the 50 end is very handy for shooting shots on the bench and sidelines. Of course the long tele end is great for action shots. I like the lens a lot.

Jul 10, 2014 10:33:16 #

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Japakomom wrote:

Hi! I am fairly new here and in my readings I have seen many discussions on the Sigma 150-500mm lens and rarely mentioned is the Sigma 50-500mm lens. Is the 150-500mm a better lens?

I have had both the Sigma 150-500mm and the Sigma 50-500mm lenses and found both optically the same. The 150-500mm lens is cheaper by about $600-$700 and is about the same weight as the 50-500mm lens although the length is about 2" longer. It is a good lens for capturing those wildlife shots at a distance. The Sigma is more expensive but has a few extra advantages over the Sigma 150-500. The 50mm setting allows to get a normal shot of landscapes and the almost macro setting of 1:3.1 gives you a great close-up shot of insects, flowers and other objects and this is why I kept this lens and sold the other one since I have the Tamron 150-600mm lens.

Jul 10, 2014 11:13:48 #

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

Regis wrote:

I have had both the Sigma 150-500mm and the Sigma ... (show quote)

The 50-500 does let you get pretty close. See attached.

(Download)

Jul 10, 2014 18:43:40 #

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I have the 50-500 and love it. I do carry it around in my backpack and I definitely know that it is there! If I could do it all over again, I would buy this lens again. I kind of mix my photography between landscapes, wildlife and birds in flight.

Jul 17, 2014 15:13:18 #

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I have the older version Sigma 50-500mm f4-f6.3, It's auto focusing function suddenly failed before I started the trip to Alaska last week. I heard the humming of the motor but no movement, probably the driving gear was broken.
Do anyone have any idea how much to repair it or is it worth to repair it? I had it for 7 years.

Jul 17, 2014 17:07:42 #

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

Japakomom wrote:

Hi! I am fairly new here and in my readings I have seen many discussions on the Sigma 150-500mm lens and rarely mentioned is the Sigma 50-500mm lens. Is the 150-500mm a better lens?

I have the 50-500 and even though it is heavy, I think it is a very good lens and really enjoy using it, especially for birding

Jul 21, 2014 14:20:12 #

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

150-500 @ 500mm...subject approx. 70-80 yards away...
Original shot and the cropped version...hand held using OS...
D90, 12.3MP...
My friend has two 50-500s but I don't believe his shots are any better than mine...

(Download)

Jul 21, 2014 14:43:10 #

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

SX2002 wrote:

Excellent detailed shot of a BIF.

Jul 21, 2014 15:06:31 #

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Regis wrote:

Excellent detailed shot of a BIF.

Thank you Regis... :-D

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