Is the Sigma 50-500 a good lens. . .

[urycyon]

Is the 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM Autofocus Lens any good optically? I'm assuming that because of its size its going to be a little slow on the focusing, but does EX ALWAYS mean good optics?
And speaking of good optics, now that I can easily see the true sharpness of my inexpensive lenses (now that I finally have my digital slr), I am finally seeing the benefit of quality lenses.
So does anyone know of any sites where I can view comparison shots between lenses that are considered "pro" and comparable "cheap" lenses? Would I be able to immediately and distinctly know the difference? Like maybe the Canon 70-200 L compared to the same thing in non "L"?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Urycyon,

I own this lens and it is a very high quality well made lesn, and in fact it focuses very effectively, quickly and quietly.

Optically I do not think you can purchase a better 500mm lens at twice the price (really! no one offers a 500mm at twice the price :) )

Now you can do better,. but to do so you will need a 500mm Prime.

Compared to a Prime,. that is where you will see a significant difference! Having just switched to a 500mm prime myself I can attest to that.

But the prime will not offer the flexibility.

I do have a recomendation for you.

Think about how much you want the flexibility of a zoom,. and weigh that desire against you desire for
A: A long telephoto
B: Superior visual quality

If A: and B: combined out weigh your desire for a Zoom,.. then do this instead;

Get a Canon 400mm f/5.6 and a 1.4X teleconverter.

[urycyon]

See for me here's the rub. I'm a college student paying my way through school, got a year and a half left. I bought my 35mm rebel years ago, had fun with it, took a couple B&W classes at a local Junior College, and then sort of dropped out of photography, due to the cost and room a darkroom required. I sort of assumed I'd go digital eventually. So here I am.

My question is, should I be buying a "cheap" lens every so often only to replace them with "nice" lenses later on down the road when I can afford them?

I do believe now you pay for what you get, but I want to see what I might be getting ahead of time. Is there a website that shows sample images taken under identical settings between an "cheap" and a "nice" lens.
Maybe I should go to a local camera shop and perform my own test.

I know now the softness in my 300D is due to lens/lighting/camera shake, because I took a couple of test shots with tripod, 50mm f1.8 lens, and flash.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

the 50-500 is excellent. cyberdyne said it well

[Hellashot]

EX mainly means a nicer exterior - ceramic instead of plastic. And yes it is a good lens if you can deal with the 4 pound weight and needing to use a monopod or tripod with it. It's called the Bigman. It's zoom range and price make it unbeatable.

[condyk]

:lol: :lol: :lol: This thread was started 10-23-2003. I wonder if the OP decided on the Bigma or not? Advice still stands up tho'!

[CorruptedPhotographer]

:lol: :lol: :lol: This thread was started 10-23-2003. I wonder if the OP decided on the Bigma or not? Advice still stands up tho'!


hahaha yes I noticed that after I posted my reply!!!
its been close to 2 yrs...wow, good job forum for handling such old threads.

I was replying in another thread and noticed @ the bottom that this forum has a nice feature of providing links to similar threads and I clicked on this one and replied. I wonder how cyberdynesystems will react!

[cfcRebel]

I think the OP already graduated by now and making tons of money. So (s)he probably can affort one of each to test, or even creates his/her own lens review site. ;)

[CorruptedPhotographer]

cfcREbel,

why does everyone refer to him/her as the OP, what does OP stand for?

Also, I see a lot of ppl owning the POTN OP neck strap, why ? to support the forum mainly or is it that much better than the supplied Canon neck straps?

[condyk]

cfcREbel,

why does everyone refer to him/her as the [i]OP[/b], what does OP stand for?

Also, I see a lot of ppl owning the POTN OP neck strap, why ? to support the forum mainly or is it that much better than the supplied Canon neck straps?

OP=Original Poster

The POT.N neck strap is great: it means that if you see anyone wearing one then you can avoid them :lol: :p

To support the forum click on the link below my Sig

[RikWriter]

The 50-500 is a good lens optically. Too heavy for handholding (although some people claim they do it all the time) though and kind of poorly balanced on a monopod even.

[CyberDyneSystems]

hahaha yes I noticed that after I posted my reply!!!
its been close to 2 yrs...wow, good job forum for handling such old threads.

I was replying in another thread and noticed @ the bottom that this forum has a nice feature of providing links to similar threads and I clicked on this one and replied. I wonder how cyberdynesystems will react!

:lol:

It's interesting when the older threads get revived.. a lot of the time opinions or circumstances will have changed so much that the posts may no longer be pertinant..

In this case my own opinion has not changed :)

One new technicality though would be the availability of another good affordable 500mm Zoom that was not around in 2003..

The Tamron 200-500mm zoom .. though I have no expeirience with it.. I understand it is not bad at all.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Yes opinions can change with time. I wonder where the OP is now? hehe

[Mitcon]

After buying a DSLR the POTN strap is the best damn thing I have bought I think. I tried a couple of different straps but nothing even came near the comfort of this strap. I even use it to hold my camera with the Bigma on it around my neck :D

[Evan Idler]

I like my new Sigma 50-500 EX DG. Yes, it's a bit heavy, but I
still find it usable for carry around, and holding it by hand. I do
think a mono pod might be in order for long hikes.

Here are a couple pictures I snapped from my balcony last week
to see how it works at different focal lengths.

https://www.epsb.net/sigma-test

--Evan

[CorruptedPhotographer]

thats a nice little sample...good job Evan

[Rbrti]

I'v got mine since 3 week, I notice that the focal ring is hard to rotate from 50mm up to 100mm.
Is that normal ?

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Rbrti Yes, but the more you use it the less stiff it will feel. I suggest this method of zooming.

Instead of holding down tight on the ring and twisting it, try to lightly or as softly as possibly grip it with your hand/fingers and twist it. It will definitely twist easier this way ;)

I learned this the hard way in Pakistan @ 14,000 feet

[Rbrti]

Thank's CorruptedPhotographier I'll try it

[condyk]

Sigma lenses will loosen up nicely after a little use and then stay that way. You can then almost zoom with finger tip control. You've got a great lens there so enjoy it and before you know it'll be smooth as silk.

[Matatazela]

:lol:

It's interesting when the older threads get revived.. a lot of the time opinions or circumstances will have changed so much that the posts may no longer be pertinant..

In this case my own opinion has not changed :)

One new technicality though would be the availability of another good affordable 500mm Zoom that was not around in 2003..

The Tamron 200-500mm zoom .. though I have no expeirience with it.. I understand it is not bad at all.

And let us not forget the Even Cheaper Sigma 170 - 500!!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Well. I try to forget that one.. :lol:
Unlike the 50-500mm.. I really have no love that that lens.

[Matatazela]

I see more of them for sale in the classifieds than any other. I wonder why.....

[Hellashot]

I was replying in another thread and noticed @ the bottom that this forum has a nice feature of providing links to similar threads and I clicked on this one and replied. I wonder how cyberdynesystems will react!

Don't reply to 2 year old posts, leave at rest what is at rest.

[CorruptedPhotographer]

Hellashot, what is your point? Why should I leave what is at rest to rest? Since this thread has been revived, several people have replied (including yourself) and many many have benefited from it. So again, what is your point? Did you reply for the sake of replying? Maybe trying to increase your post record? Bored? Please dont reply, im not further interested in what more you have to say :D

[MadMesh]

Canon 100-400 IS L , less range, and its that much better. Get a 1.4x and call it a day if u need 500mm. Lighter and can be handheld

[rdenney]

Is the 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM Autofocus Lens any good optically?

I figure it's gotta be the best 50-500mm lens on the market. If you need a 50-500 zoom, you can do no better.

As the old joke goes: "The miracle is not that the dog speaks well, but that the dog can talk at all." (You have to fill in the joke part.)

I feel the same way about my Sigma 12-24. At 12mm, the Voigtlander lens is probably better. But that lens won't fit on my Canon and it won't zoom up to 24.

Rick "who sees optical quality as part of the real issue, which is meeting requirements" Denney

[KevC]

Has anyone compared the 50-500 to the cheaper 170-500? The 170-500 doesn't have HSM, but it may be better optically (less zoom, easier to make?). Dunno, if I were to buy such a long glass, I wouldn't need anything less than 100.

[Jon]

Has anyone compared the 50-500 to the cheaper 170-500? The 170-500 doesn't have HSM, but it may be better optically (less zoom, easier to make?). Dunno, if I were to buy such a long glass, I wouldn't need anything less than 100.
CDS did:
Well. I try to forget that one.. :lol:
Unlike the 50-500mm.. I really have no love that that lens.