is this lens any good sigma 170/500

[GyRob]

i want a long lens around 500mm but not to exspensive and the above may fit my needs the 6.3 apeture is ok ,
any one got this lens or something simler fixed or zoom that they can recomend.
Thanks
Rob.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Eeehhhhhhhhh..... not a big fan of it, but let's wait and see what other people have to say. :-)

[Muzz]

What about the 50mm - 500mm ?

:)

[Lesmac]

The 170-500 is OK at apertures around f8-f11, bit crappy at less than this.
It's big and plasticky, but will do the job if you are not too demanding.
And make sure it will work on your camera, some older models need re-chipping to work on current DSLR's

Les

http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

[Dante King]

Bigma ROCKS! Wish I had the cash to buy one off my friend who sold one on FM forums. It was sweet.

[dmwierz]

Bigma ROCKS! Wish I had the cash to buy one off my friend who sold one on FM forums. It was sweet.

Be advised that the 170-500 is NOT the so-called Bigma. The Bigma is the Sigma 50-500mm lens, which is more highly thought of than the 170-500, FWIW.

[condyk]

http://www.treknature.com/photos.php?cat=lens&id=30

Shows a range of images. Doesn't look at all as competent as the Bigma, but maybe acceptable if the price is right and your standards do not involve absolutely seeking A1 shots. Certainly seems a reasonable option for the price if you MUST have 500mm. I would look for a SH Bigma personally as I think you will enjoy the results more.

[GyRob]

I did think that the 170/500 haveing a shorter zoom range than the 50/500 would offer a better image sharpness am i wrong on this point ?
Rob.

[lomond]

larlen seems to get some very nice shots with this lens.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=77275

[Hellashot]

That's all disappointing to hear since I was just thinking about this lens for a longer zoom without paying the $1000+ for the Bigma or for Canon's L crap.

[cfcRebel]

I saw a few SH Bigma sold for US$690 ~ US$800 on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7514510047&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5203005385&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[GyRob]

thats a bargain price but here in Rip of Britain we have to pay VAT 17.5 % then inport duty not sure what that is, so it bump,s the price up .
Rob.

[GyRob]

just ordered the 170-500 for the price its about what i need will try it and post a pic .
thanks for views.
Rob.

[condyk]

SH Bigmas start from £400 and go to around £475 on ebay UK. I was daft enough to sell Muzz mine for the £400 end of things. He must have thought I was a charity shop :lol:

Anyway, hope you're happy with the purchase, but not convinced it's best use of cash :p Be good to see some shots tho' and I'll maybe eat my words then. Credit to you for not going the more recommended route! I felt a winner when I got my Tokina 20-35mm against regular advice and it's been great.

[robertwgross]

I had one, and it worked, but I was never completely happy with its sharpness (or lack thereof).

I found that I could use a Canon 100-400L, and add either one or two x1.4 teleconverters, and the resultant image was still sharper than the Sigma 170-500. Of course, there is a big money tradeoff.

Somebody might point out that it is not fair to compare one lens at 400 with another lens at 500mm. True. I found the Sigma to be particularly soft at 500, but it was OK at 400.

---Bob Gross---

[GyRob]

I did consider the 100-400L but with 1.4 it = 560f8 the sigma 500 f6.3 then the 1.3 crop both would have the reach im looking for, the sigma should be here tomorrow so i can test it ,i can always buy the 100-400 if its not good enough.
thanks
Rob

[GyRob]

Well i got my new lens, these are just cropped and resized , 400iso around 1/2000sec f8 it can produce quite good photos IF the conditions are good bright and sunny, a bit soft as others said f11/ f16 seems to be its best, but for me thats no good at all as im into fast RAF jets .
so im sending it back if they will take it back .
Rob.

[GyRob]

100% crop

[condyk]

Thanks for posting ... useful!

Seems to do what you might expect given the cost and I'm sure it will suit some people.

So, what you after next?

[foxbat]

thats a bargain price but here in Rip of Britain we have to pay VAT 17.5 % then inport duty not sure what that is, so it bump,s the price up .
Rob.Actually they add duty first, then VAT on the lot. So yes, you pay tax on the tax. Nice work if you can get it.

[benhasajeep]

I had a 170-500 in the nikon flavor and sold it on ebay for a little bit of a loss. I didn't take a lot of pictures with it so not sure of its sharpness or lack of it. What drove me batty was its creep. Sitting level of course it was not a problem. But start shooting up or down and leave it set for a minute it would creep out. Also felt a little cheap to me. I ordered it mail order. I may go to a camera store and look at the 50-500 as I really need a large telephoto. Will definately not mail order one without trying it out first.

[GyRob]

not sure now , i would like a 400mm f4.5L IS but Canon dont make one:( the F5.6 does not have IS so that leves the 100/400L IS . with a 1.4 converter i can get the reach but that slows the AF down i really want a 500mm reach for fast Jets.
one thing i have to have is a good image close to wide open to give me the faster shutter even with IS need to give this a bit more thought now :)
Rob.

[GyRob]

7dayshop are willing to take it back, now thinking about the 100/400IS for the long end however i have the 300f4IS and a converter that makes 420 so it seems daft .dont know what to do at the moment.
Rob.