sigma 50-500 OS ?

is the 50-500 IQ much better at 500mm than the 150-500 at 500mm

Jay T wrote in post #12119085
is the 50-500 IQ much better at 500mm than the 150-500 at 500mm

Yes

The 50-500 OS at f/6.3 is about the 150-500 at f/8

The 50-500 OS at f/8 rivals the 100-400 for IQ, The 100-400 is still better, but only by a hair...

The 50-500 OS is the only lens I've used that made me think of trading my 100-400 away for..

However, if I were you I'd consider the 100-400 as well, Since you'll be paying nearly the same for either of them

I can sell my 150-500 to a friend but the 100-400 is only 400mm.
iwant it for birding, so its not long enough. I sold my 300L f/4is cause that was to short with 1.4 tc.I know my 150-500 is very good at f/8 in good light but tosoft at 6.3. Thanks for the reply.

There are tons of tests on the internet comparing the 50-500 to the 100-400 as wellas the Sigma 120-400 and 150-500 and as mentioned by Ken above the 100-400 is a little better in the tests. However, that is still a very good showing for the 50-500 and its flexibility (10X range) is a strong plus. For birding the 50-500 is not going to be a major jump in length, 400 vs. 500 is not a huge difference, you have to go a lot higher than that for a significant difference. IQ is going to be more important, you can always up size an image to get more magnification but you have to have a good image to start with.

Also if you already have a 150-500 I'm not really sure what you are going to gain. The differences between the 150-500 and the 50-500 OS are quite small and only detectable under certain tests. I'm not really sure you are going to gain anything by switching, nothing significant anyway. I suggest you learn to get better with your 150-500. There are plenty of great bird shots with this lens, no reason you can't learn to improve your technique.

All these long lenses have learning curves, un-sharp images are almost always a user issue, not a lens issue. Nearly any modern lens can take a very sharp image, the 150-500 included, however not all photographers know how to get the most out of their equipment. Think about what you are trying to accomplish and what your real rationale is.

^- one thing I -will- say about the 50-500 and 100-400 is that both enabled me to more reliably get those good shots

Can you get a good shot with the 150-500? Yes, However my keeper rate was rediculously low compared to the 50-500 and the 100-400, And even the "keepers" werent that fantastic...

Heres a few examples from my 50-500 OS when i had it

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …unetsukiphoto/5​105840665/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …unetsukiphoto/5​106436068/

Well I ordered it and it will be here today. If its as sharp at 6.3 as the 150-500 is at 8 thats good enough for me. I looking at it like I'm getting a larger apeture lens because I don' t ever use 6.3 on the 150-500, and hopefully it well still keep that sharpness edge with my tc. The 150-500 is pretty good with a tc considering the $ spent. So I figure if this is the best way to get to 700mm for under $1700 I'll give it a go. I will let you guys know how it works out. Just my luck its gonna rain all day today and friday so I'll post a duck sat. or sun.