Sigma 170-500mm info request

[sjprg]

I'm still searching for an affordable long lens. Does anyone have any info on this lens? Are you happy? unhappy with it? Can a 2x TC be used with it, and does it autofocus on the 10D?
Paul

[CyberDyneSystems]

1st, I don't have THIS lens,. but I have some insight.

(Bob Gross, Another frequent flyer here does have it and may have some light to shed.)

However,. I can answer some questions.

According to Sigma neither the 1.4X nor 2X converter work with this lens.

Since this lens was introduced, Sigma has created a line of newer lenses with many design improvements over those incorporated into the 170-500mm and other lenses of this era (135-400mm for example).

These are the "EX" lenses which have HSM motor autofocus. (faster quieter and more reliable)

The more recent 50-500mm Sigma

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/html/pages/50_500_EX.HTM

...is an "EX" and in my mind was worth the extra dollars over the 170-500mm for all the improvements in design that this offers.

The 50-500mm WILL work with both telecoveters,.. but I would only recomend you use the 1.4X. The 2X and this lens are not too freindly.

In both cases, the lens will not have enough aperture to autofocus with the converters installed.

[robertwgross]

I don't know if I have any light to shed, but I certainly do have lights in the shed (the studio).

Last January, I specifically purchased the Sigma 170-500mm zoom for wildlife photography. Canon really does not offer any lens with that range or for that price.

Within the first month that I had it, the autofocus stopped completely. It would search in and out and never hit a focus. I called Sigma, and they said to ship it in for an upgrade. Hmmm. It came back a couple of weeks later, working. I've used it since then, until about three weeks ago. The autofocus stopped completely, same as before. I called Sigma, and they said to ship it in. Sigma has had it for two weeks, and I haven't heard anything yet. Hmmm.

Now, back to when it was working. For a lens of that magnitude and cost, it works, but it is a bit clumsy to carry around much. Obviously a serious tripod is necessary. It will function with a x1.4 TC, but not particularly well.

The focus motor is not terribly quiet. At least it makes more noise than my shorter Canon lenses, but then there is a lot of mass to move around. The front takes an 86mm filter, such as circular polarizer, but they are not cheap at that size, believe me.

It is usable from within a camera blind, but if you have to hump it over the hills a lot, it will get your attention.

As soon as I see this thing returned to me, I will test it.

---Bob Gross---

[nmctbc]

Bob, you indicated that you did use a 1.4x converter on the Sigma 170-500mm lens. Sigma told me that there is no converter compatible with this lens. Did you use it with the Sigma 1.4x converter? Thanks in advance. Nevia

[insomnia]

Bob, you indicated that you did use a 1.4x converter on the Sigma 170-500mm lens. Sigma told me that there is no converter compatible with this lens. Did you use it with the Sigma 1.4x converter? Thanks in advance. Nevia


Those posts are from 2003 :lol:

[CyberDyneSystems]

And yet... we're all still here :)

I think Bob may have been using one of the generic converters.. these converters. unlike the Canon and Sigma branded ones.. will at least "physically fit" on pretty much any lens made. How they perform on the wrong leses is another question alltogether. But in this case,. the lens in question being a long tele,. I'd think it would work out o-kay.

Again.. manual focus only is likely.

[robertwgross]

Yes, I sold the Sigma lens and replaced it with a Canon 100-400, which is much sharper.

The Sigma lens was -OK-, but when I put a single x1.4 on it, it was getting mushy at the long end. With two x1.4, it was way too mushy to be usable. In contrast, the Canon is a little shorter to begin with, but with a single x1.4 on it, it is still pretty sharp. With two x1.4 on it, it is still usable, at least in bright conditions.

---Bob Gross---

[Parson]

Paul,

I used this lens when I first purchased my 20D a few months ago while waiting for the 100-400L to be delivered to my dealer. He was kind enough to loan me the lens while my 100-400 was shipped from Canon. This lens can be very sharp and very accurate, but it is VERY SLOW focusing even on the 20D. I can't imagine what it would be like on the 10D. As some have mentioned, it is very loud when focusing since it does not have Sigma's HSM capacity. Build quality on this lens is considerably less than on their 50-500, 100-300 f4 or their 120-300 f2.8. All those lenses are somewhat more expensive than the 170-500 but, if Sigma is the way you're going, wait until you can invest in one of their HSM equipped lenses. You won't be sorry. Ideally, I'd set on my savings until you can pick up the Canon 100-400 L. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven!

Dave H.