Sigma 500mm F/4.5 EX DG HSM

[TooManyShots]

I think I am the first one here with some samples:

[Ultimate CC]

samples look great...

[disdatmac]

awe, that last one is breezy!!! Such gorgeous details on all of them

[TooManyShots]

[S.Horton]

Do you think that you can handhold the lens?

[TooManyShots]

To some degree is possible but at least you should use a monopod with good techniques. The lens comes with a strap which is hooked up at the bottom barrel, near the rear lens element. The other end is hooked up to the end of the tripod collar. You can slide the strap over your right elbow. When you pull the viewfinder to your eye, you can extend your right elbow so that your elbow is pulling the lens toward you while your left hand pushing the lens away from you. This would eliminate any front and back movement. If your rig is on a monopod, your main concern now is to reduce right and left movement.

Shooting this lens makes me feel like holding a sniper rifle....

Originally Posted by S.Horton

Do you think that you can handhold the lens?

[foxbat]

Great lens. The smallest and lightest of the 500 primes and very good value on the used market. Mine's the non-DG version.

male greenfinch


female greenfinch


Baby greenfinch

[foxbat]

Robin


Golden Weaver (Kenya)

[foxbat]

And a couple of dunnock (hedge sparrow) shots:





I know this lens is popular with the UK motorsports community so lets hope they see this thread and add some variety.

[TooManyShots]

Some sharpness test. It seems that at f7 to f9 even 100% crop shots are usable. At wide open, a bit soft but it is acceptable if you don't crop a lot.

Shots taken at f9, is0800, 1/500. Body and lens resting on the window ledge. Zero sharpness applied but up the contrast a bit.


100% crop

[Neilyb]

Having just ordered this lens, used from a reputable dealer, anything I should bear in mind when using it? Any tips welcome.

[TooManyShots]

Too busy at work and been out shooting this lens for 1 day so far. 300 hundred shots. Sigma lens tends to have a warmer, natural look to them. A bit of contrast increase is needed in PP work. Shooting with a 1d body You still could retain AF using a 1.4x converter. Makes sure you use the Kenko converter. With Canon or Sigma converter the lens would not AF unless you have to tape up some pins. The lens comes with a UV filter pre-installed on the drop-in filter. I am considering getting a Wimberly Sidekick installed on the ballhead-monopod combo. This setup is supposed to give you more control and safety in titling and panning your lens either on a monopod or a tripod.

Originally Posted by Neilyb

Having just ordered this lens, used from a reputable dealer, anything I should bear in mind when using it? Any tips welcome.

[TooManyShots]

More test........ Sorry if you find them a bit boring. I am only off on Wednesday and is cold and dark outside..... Just playing with my lens indoor before bed...

At native 500mm on a 1dmarkII. On a monopod.
iso1000. 1/500s. F8. Fill flash was used. Increased contrast but zero sharpening.


100% crop


At 500mm + 1.4x converter on a 1dmarkII. On a monopod.
iso1250. 1/500s. F6.3. Fill flash was used. Increased contrast but zero sharpening.


100% crop

[Neilyb]

Look sdamn good to me. I have also ordered the mafrotto 393 head, romy uses one for his 300-800 so I figured it could handle the 500.

Cheers, can't wait for the delivery van.

[foxbat]

Originally Posted by Neilyb

I have also ordered the mafrotto 393 head, romy uses one for his 300-800 so I figured it could handle the 500.

I use the 393 with my 500 and 300-800. It's a great match for both lenses - the large foot on the big Sigmas is a perfect match for the plate on the 393.