Sigma 50-500 OS on a Rebel?

Hey guys,

I'm shopping for a telephoto zoom and am leaning away from the 100-400L at this point. Instead, I think I would prefer the 50-500 OS from Sigma because of that awesome range.

My body is a Rebel XT and I am wondering about the performance of the Sigma, with it's tighter max. aperture range, on a body which produces such poor results at high ISO. I would almost always be shooting wide open because boosting the ISO on a Rebel isn't really an option. From what I have read, the Sigma is quite soft but sharpens up considerably around F8.

This has led me to my question...Rebel XT + 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS or Rebel XT + 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 OS. As an aside, I am also dreaming about buying a 7D with my 50-500, which should have better performance at higher ISO, allowing me to shoot around F8. Am I wrong, or would that be the perfect solution?

Any input?

Edit: FYI, I shoot wildlife and prefer shutter speeds of 1/1000s or quicker, and almost always hand-held.

Nothing wrong with putting a great lnes on a Rebel. Yes, 7D will be lots better. Many, many fans of the 50-500 OS here.

I have tried the 100-400L and it is an excellent lens. I have not tried the 50-500 OS but I have had many excellent Sigma lenses as well. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

what about a 60D and a 150-500OS...i guess it'd be a little more $$ though

don't get me wrong i don't think putting the lens on a rebel means it's a bad thing, but realistically I'd prepare yourself to be around ISO 800 or so, if you're comfortable with that on your XT than get the 50-500OS...but the longer sigmas really need lots of light...

what lens are you using right now?

I have both a 7D and a 60D, for BIF and such, 7D is better. The new T3i is getting some rave reviews.

You really have to have the shutter speed you need with these long lenses. If you think you'll need higher ISo than your body can deliver then you'll have to get a more recent body. I'd have the 50-500 OS over the 100-400 IS every day of the week but YMMV. I'd also mainly want to use it with a monopod (or tripod or beanbag) because it's hard shooting this kinda gear and getting a crisp shot consistently. Even with IS/OS.

DreDaze wrote in post #12163571
what about a 60D and a 150-500OS...i guess it'd be a little more $$ though

don't get me wrong i don't think putting the lens on a rebel means it's a bad thing, but realistically I'd prepare yourself to be around ISO 800 or so, if you're comfortable with that on your XT than get the 50-500OS...but the longer sigmas really need lots of light...

what lens are you using right now?

I shoot mainly with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS. I generally am wide open at ISO 400. Anything below f/5.6 slows my exposure to something unacceptable for moving wildlife, unless the lighting is great, and ISO > 400 gets pretty noisy with the Rebel.

I should mention that I am also considering the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 for affordability's sake. Yes, even tighter max. aperture, but money left over for a 7D.

Thoughts?

tanner07 wrote in post #12163677
I shoot mainly with the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IS. I generally am wide open at ISO 400. Anything below f/5.6 slows my exposure to something unacceptable for moving wildlife, unless the lighting is great, and ISO > 400 gets pretty noisy with the Rebel.

I should mention that I am also considering the Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 for affordability's sake. Yes, even tighter max. aperture, but money left over for a 7D.

Thoughts?

actually the 150-500mm will be faster over some of the same range
150-500mm f5 up to 173mm, f5.6 up to 312mm
50-500mm f5up to 112mm, ft5.6 up to 243mm

i mean just being blunt...the lenses are slow, and you'll probably need higher than ISO 400 on many occasions so a body that allows you to do that comfortably is probably a good addition

do you need the versatility of a zoom?...maybe the 400mm f5.6 would be good?

Which Sigma has better IQ at the 500mm focal range.... the 50-500mm or thr 150-500mm? I've heard they're very close.

DreDaze wrote in post #12163741
actually the 150-500mm will be faster over some of the same range
150-500mm f5 up to 173mm, f5.6 up to 312mm
50-500mm f5up to 112mm, ft5.6 up to 243mm

i mean just being blunt...the lenses are slow, and you'll probably need higher than ISO 400 on many occasions so a body that allows you to do that comfortably is probably a good addition

do you need the versatility of a zoom?...maybe the 400mm f5.6 would be good?

I didn't realize that the 150-500 is actually faster in certain ranges...great information.

Yes...I do need the versatility of a zoom. I would miss the option of reframing a picture several times and having the priviledge of selecting my favorite composition later.

Thanks for your thoughts...I can more easily reflect on lens comparisons if a good discussion with others takes place.

nightcat wrote in post #12163771
Which Sigma has better IQ at the 500mm focal range.... the 50-500mm or thr 150-500mm? I've heard they're very close.

i've never seen a test of the two done, but i think that the general consensus is the 50-500OS is better...here's the 100-400L, sigma 120-400OS, 150-500OS, and 50-500mm comparison:
http://www.juzaphoto.c​om …20-400_150-500_50-500.htm
and the 50-500OS 100-400L comparison:
http://www.juzaphoto.c​om …_hsm_vs_canon_1​00-400.htm

tanner07 wrote in post #12163798
I didn't realize that the 150-500 is actually faster in certain ranges...great information.

Yes...I do need the versatility of a zoom. I would miss the option of reframing a picture several times and having the priviledge of selecting my favorite composition later.

Thanks for your thoughts...I can more easily reflect on lens comparisons if a good discussion with others takes place.

yeah i figured you might need it after seeing some whale watching shots, i imagine sometimes they get close to the boat...side note question...but are there orcas around that area in early september? my sister is getting married on san juan island, and I'm hoping to do a whale watching trip

nightcat wrote in post #12163771
Which Sigma has better IQ at the 500mm focal range.... the 50-500mm or thr 150-500mm? I've heard they're very close.

From what I've seen, the 50-500 does, and it's not even close imho. The 50-500 is at least as good at f/6.3 as the 150-500 is at f/8 (at "500" which really is more like 450 imho). The 50-500 OS is downright good at f/8 at 500, wheras the 150-500 is simply soft unless your subject is super close.

woos wrote in post #12163926
From what I've seen, the 50-500 does, and it's not even close imho. The 50-500 is at least as good at f/6.3 as the 150-500 is at f/8 (at "500" which really is more like 450 imho). The 50-500 OS is downright good at f/8 at 500, wheras the 150-500 is simply soft unless your subject is super close.

can i ask where you're seeing this?

DreDaze wrote in post #12163874
yeah i figured you might need it after seeing some whale watching shots, i imagine sometimes they get close to the boat...side note question...but are there orcas around that area in early september? my sister is getting married on san juan island, and I'm hoping to do a whale watching trip

The resident Orcas are still around in early September, but are probably on their way out and most are gone by October, from what I know. San Juan Island is an E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T place to spot whales, and there is even a park on the West Side from which you can view Orcas from land - sometimes from as close as 20-50 feet.

However, I was there last October, and visited the park two days in a row with no luck. We did spot a small pod of Orcas on the boat ride to San Juan, though. So, Orcas will be around early September, and don't forget about grey whales, minke whales, humpbacks...orcas aren't the only whales around.

Enjoy your trip!!

woos wrote in post #12163926
wheras the 150-500 is simply soft unless your subject is super close.

That's utter nonsense.