Got my \"new\" 50-500 lens today!

[sparty314]

I just received my Sigma lens today, and I'm thrilled! (Incidentally, I purchased it from the marketplace forum hosted on this site.) Here is a 100% crop of a picture I just took:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/bearss/moon.jpg

Taken with:
10D
M, f/8.0, 1/125, ISO 200
Sigma 50-500mm EX

[defordphoto]

Cool! Congrats!!

[hickory]

Thats awesome, can I borrow it??? :-)

[ChrisNardone]

That's excellent!

[SWPhotoImaging]

WOW!!

I didn't know a 500mm could do that!

What model is it?

[sparty314]

It's the Sigma 50-500 f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM. Really, the Moon is all I have photographed so far, but I am initially pleased. The lens is heavier than I expected!

[defordphoto]

sparty314 wrote:
It's the Sigma 50-500 f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM. Really, the Moon is all I have photographed so far, but I am initially pleased. The lens is heavier than I expected!


You didn't get the optional lens-trailer?

[CyberDyneSystems]

RFMSports wrote:
sparty314 wrote:
It's the Sigma 50-500 f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM. Really, the Moon is all I have photographed so far, but I am initially pleased. The lens is heavier than I expected!


You didn't get the optional lens-trailer?

lol,.. Does Bob know you are using his joke???

Brian,. that shot is awesome. I am glad to see it all arrived in working condition.

It is an awesome lens, and that particular one is responsible for the vast majority of good photos I have ever taken. :)

Have fun and keep us posted :)

[Sketcher]

You guys with the 50-500 are nearly convincing me to put it on my wish list for next years' lens purchase. Anything about this lens that you don't like? The images that have been posted here and in other threads are great.

[sjprg]

http://www.pbase.com/image/23089935.jpg

Im really happy with mine
http://www.pbase.com/image/23089935

Paul

[Icebreaker]

Is there any reason you chose this lens over, say Canon 100-400mm IS Lens? (other than Price)

Also When you had it tilted up to photograph the moon was there any zoom creep?

Thanks for info
LDWelton

[sjprg]

I admit price was a factor, plus the extra 100mm, plus the reports of other wildlife shooters. I believe that Sigma has addressed the creep in the later versions of the lens, I haven't noticed any in mine yet, of course it is only about two months old. Perhaps if I was doing it again I might pick the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 with the Sigma 2.0 TC and get the 600mm capability. Of course we are talking 2.5 times the price. ($800 Vs $2150)

[sparty314]

Price was the determining factor--I would love to get a Canon L lens. But for now, this lens will have to do. I have not noticed any zoom creep with the lens yet.

[iwatkins]

Haven't noticed any creep on mine either. Very happy with it.

Cheers

Ian

[CyberDyneSystems]

I don't recall mine creeping on it's own.. but gravity does effect the ease with which you can zoom... ei: if you are aiming up,. and decide to zoom out,. you are fighting both gravity and friction and zooming becomes quite stiff. (the majority of the lenses weight is the glass located in the moving part of the zoom. So fighting this weight is an effort.)

To voercome this,. particularly hand held or with a monopod,. the trick is the tilt zoom, tip the lens front down to zoom out,. and the lens will literally slide out with a slight twist. Likewise tilt the les up to zoom back.

The zooming really becomes easier too, with use. There is definately a "break in" period as with any lens.

[eric1]

anyone got a pic of the lens mounted on a cam? i was
wondering how big it really is. i guess i'm starting to like this lens too.

thanks,
eric1

[morenoar]

I should have done that when I had mine. The lens is BIG and Heavy.

[defordphoto]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
RFMSports wrote:
sparty314 wrote:
It's the Sigma 50-500 f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM. Really, the Moon is all I have photographed so far, but I am initially pleased. The lens is heavier than I expected!


You didn't get the optional lens-trailer?

lol,.. Does Bob know you are using his joke???


I pay him a monthly royalty check. Unlimited useage. :)

[iwatkins]

eric1 wrote:
anyone got a pic of the lens mounted on a cam? i was
wondering how big it really is. i guess i'm starting to like this lens too.

thanks,
eric1

Eric,

Photos below. I apologise for the quality, I had to take them on my old Sony P&S POS. :)

Cheers

Ian

10D with Sigma 50-500mm - Lens cap on and hood reversed

http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~iwatkins/Gallery/50-500-1.jpg


10D with Sigma 50-500mm - Lens at 50mm, Lens cap off and hood fitted

http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~iwatkins/Gallery/50-500-2.jpg


10D with Sigma 50-500mm - Lens at 500mm, Lens cap off and hood fitted

http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~iwatkins/Gallery/50-500-3.jpg

[IanD]

Good Lord!
Walking around the woods with that could cause a war!
Sorta looks like a rocket launcher. I thought the 100-300 was big!
Damn...I think I got to get me one...lets see...500mm x 1.6 10d factor=800...x1.4 TC=1120!
I won't have to leave the house! :D
Hey Tom, I'm sending Gitzo home :)
Ian

[morenoar]

OK, I have a question about this lens, cause I did not see this part on my lens when I had it. There seems to be 2 white switches on the lens. I know about the one near the base of the lens----MF-AF. But there is another switch right around the middle part of the lens. What is that for? Because I am looking at a picture of this lens at different web sites and I don't see the second switch. I think I may have just found what my problem was when I had the lens!!! Could it be that I never locked the Lens? I still like this lens for the main purpose of the 500mm range. But if I have to get Canons 100-400L, I guess I will continue to save for that. Any comments or ideas. Again, my main purpose will be for Soccer Action shots of my daughters. And you know that sometimes you can not move around to much on the sidelines

[CyberDyneSystems]

The second switch locks the zoom barrel in place for carrying/storage etc.. so it doesn't extend accidentally.

Needles to say,. the images illustrate just how much the lens extends when zoomed all the way to 500mm...
If you are used to internal zoom lense,. t may be a bit of a surprise!! It nearly doubles in length.

[iwatkins]

CyberDyneSystems wrote:
Needles to say,. the images illustrate just how much the lens extends when zoomed all the way to 500mm...

As an army friend of mine said "Jesus, what kind of round does that thing take ?" :D

For the money, it is a lot of lens. I love the results from it but I try to avoid seeing any images CDS produces with the 500mm prime, just in case..... ;)

Cheers

Ian

[eric1]

thanks Ian,
looks like you fed that thing some VIAGRA! ha ha
my thats a long lens.

eric1

[defordphoto]

I really do like that cool matte-black finish they use. Pull that thing out in say Iraq, and the US military would be all over you. It'd probably set off the missile detectors in the F22s!!

[Canuck]

sdwike@hotmail.com wrote:
WOW!!

I didn't know a 500mm could do that!

What model is it?

Remember that it is effectively an 800mm lens with what we call crop factor of 1.6!! That's how.

[Canuck]

sjprg wrote:
I admit price was a factor, plus the extra 100mm, plus the reports of other wildlife shooters. I believe that Sigma has addressed the creep in the later versions of the lens, I haven't noticed any in mine yet, of course it is only about two months old. Perhaps if I was doing it again I might pick the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 with the Sigma 2.0 TC and get the 600mm capability. Of course we are talking 2.5 times the price. ($800 Vs $2150)

sjprg,
Believe you me, that the 120-300 F2.8 EX rocks! Now stick a 2x tc on it and you have out to 600mm at F5.6 but wait, there is the 1.6 crop, making it a whopping 960mm at F5.6 vs the 50-500 at F6.3. However, I don't think the difference between 5.6 and 6.3 really matters.
How do you like them apples? Just a thought.

Another thing about the 120-300, a friend asked if it was a howiter when I pulled it out. He looked at the front of it and said that it was big enough to be one, or just about. He was spot on, the filter is 105mm and there are 105mm howiters out there. Man oh man.

[tpinchback]

what's the price? if you don't mind me asking. great pic of the moon!!