Can anyone offer an opinion/ experience on the Sigma 50-500 zoom lens? I am looking to buy.
Mark
Mark, I have an older Sigma 150-500 DG f-mount (I shoot with either a D7100 or a D7500) that I love. Take a look at some of my bird postings, and judge for yourself.
Regis
Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
mffox wrote:
Can anyone offer an opinion/ experience on the Sigma 50-500 zoom lens? I am looking to buy.
Mark
I found it to be okay, but it is not a very sharp lens at least when I used it over 10 years ago. Maybe they made improvements by now.
Regis wrote:
I found it to be okay, but it is not a very sharp lens at least when I used it over 10 years ago. Maybe they made improvements by now.
I think mine is pretty sharp. It is not new by any means.
mffox wrote:
Can anyone offer an opinion/ experience on the Sigma 50-500 zoom lens? I am looking to buy.
Mark
Which version?
There was an early version without OS (optical stabilization) and a later version with it.
The 50-500mm (non-OS) was introduced in 2000 or 2001. There was an update done in 2006 where it got the "DG" designation, indicating it was a lens for full frame digital. However I don't know if there was any change to it optically or functionally, and there was nothing stopping the older pre-DG version from being used on DSLRs that shared the same mount as earlier film cameras.
The later 50-500mm OS version, with "Optical image Stabilization" added was introduced in 2010 and seems to have somewhat improved image quality versus the non-OS versions.
Right from the beginning, this lens was nicknamed the "Bigma" due to its size and weight (actually about the same weight as Canon EF 100-400mm II).
A good copy of the OS version can do pretty well. A friend used one extensively and was happy with it. "Good copies" rival the IQ of lenses like the original Canon 100-400mm "push/pull" zoom. Those Sigmas are not as sharp as lenses like the later Canon 100-400mm II or Nikkor 80-400mm. Of course, those lenses don't cover the same range of focal lengths, either.
The 50-500mm OS has decent image quality wide open (which isn't very wide, it has a small max aperture range) until 200mm. Beyond that focal length it gets soft and shows some chromatic aberration at wide open aperture (f/6.3 from about 250 or longer). However, it improves quite a bit stopped down to f/8 or f/11. It will be a "good light" lens, not great for challenging low light conditions.
Sigma 50-500mm review (non-OS):
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50-500mm-f-4-6.3-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspxSigma 50-500mm OS review:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50-500mm-f-4.5-6.3-DG-OS-HSM-Lens.aspx The Sigma 60-600mm OS lens superseded all the above in 2018, offered in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma SA mounts. Sigma just announced a version for mirrorless Sony E mount and Leica/Panasonic L mount will be available in Feb. 2023.
I have a Sigma 50-500 for the old Olympus E system. We all called it the "Bigma" because it is a big, heavy lens. I used it on my 12.3 MP Olympus E-5. I wouldn't say it was the sharpest lens. It always seemed just a little soft. It wasn't terrible. I just wouldn't say it was great. The E-5 has a small 4/3 sensor so the telephoto reach of the lens was about equal to a full frame 1,000 mm lens.
Because of the slightly soft results, I only used it when I absolutely needed that much reach.
I now use both the Canon R5 and the R7 as my main cameras. The Canon R 100-500 by itself or with the 1.4 converter is a far sharper system. I suppose that is because I have a lot more pixels, better low light focus ability and much better optics.
I suspect the optical compromises and the complexity of the zoom mechanics make the Bigma a huge compromise, but still a useful lens.
If it is used, and you can buy it at a low price, it might be fun to use but don't expect to capture great, sharp photos.
mffox wrote:
Can anyone offer an opinion/ experience on the Sigma 50-500 zoom lens? I am looking to buy.
Mark
I have one for sale with a canon mount. I liked the lense but the only thing I didn't like was it would not accept an extender. I tried many times then contacted sigma and they told me it wouldn't. As stated earlier by another answer this one is the EX DG HSM 1.4-6.3 apo. I am selling for $450 with postage paid.
The later versions are better BECAUSE around 2010 Sigma finally made up their mind to significantly upgrade their quality control which was hit or miss up to this time !
SX2002
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
Not sure about that lens but why not go for the 150-600mm "C"..a brilliant sharp lens that will give you lots more reach. I used to have the 150-500mm but after trying my mates 150-600 I wanted one, it's much sharper than the 150-500.
D500-Hand held at 600mm (900mm=35mm equivalent)
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