FAO CDS - Ref Sigma 50-500 vs. 500 Prime

[iwatkins]

Hi CDS,

I've been looking at the Sigma 50-500 and the Sigma 500 Prime and here in the UK I am seeing that the 500 Prime is approx. three times the cost of the 50-500.

I know you have used both lenses and I know you love the 500 prime and IIRC you didn't buy it new.

However, can you say that give the choice again, and having to buy new, that the 500mm prime is *that* much better (i.e. three times) than the 50-500 ?

I ask as I'm looking to buy a long lense for wildlife work, mainly birds, for my trips away to bird reserves here in the UK. I.e. the lense will only be used occasionaly in comparison to my normal diet of landscapes/skyscapes.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

I would have emailed, but thought this info might be useful to others.

Cheers

Ian

[CyberDyneSystems]

It is a difficult thing to quantify your own user experience and judgment of quality (both in a lens and the image it takes)

So this question is a lot harder than it seems.

At first I wanted to just say

"YES! It is THAT much better"

And indeed it is. I am quite sure I will be selling the 50-500mm (although I haven'y really made up my mind yet)

But to actually try and put a dollar value on the difference is tough. Very tough.

You mention that you do not intend to use this lens very often.

I on the other hand have found that birding is my passion,. and thus as my main "focus" it did justify (to some degree) the expense.

It turns out that if birding is what you want to do a big prime is really the only answer. You hear this often,. and having now experienced the difference first hand I know it really is true.

But if an occasional jaunt is all that is expected for the future of the lens, then I would think the zoom may be enough.

However there is a third option that immediately springs to mind.

The Canon 400 f/5.6 L is very reasonably priced and it the staple of birders on a budget. At the loss of 100mm you will get the amazing clarity and detail that only a big telephoto prime can offer. It costs little mor ethan the Sigma 50-500mm

[iwatkins]

Hi CDS

Thanks for that. I guessed it would be a tough call :)

I'll take a look at the Canon 400 as well and let you know what I decide.

Cheers

Ian