Can anything replace the 50-500 OS?

Well I love my Sigma 50-500 OS - truly a stunning lens, very sharp though the range, especially considering the range it has - anyway enough of sales pitch, alot of you know how good it is, but heres my problem - I'm getting old and while not that long ago the weight of it wasn't a problem it is now as I end up with backache at the end of the day.

So my question is were I to sell what should I get instead?

What do you do for a living? Have you considered working out? I had that kind of trouble with my 24-70 but a few push ups a day means I get to use it for longer before I feel fatigued.

lol, my wife said that, but honestly I'm too lazy!

It does seem to be good advice though, although I know I'd never really do it

Start slow. You won't be doing 100 push-ups on the first day. Build up your upper muscles and you'll have an easier time of it. Even though I suspect that lens must be heavier than the 24-70.

55-250 wont give you any weight issues

haha, you would have just loved that scene - I popped through to the front room and mentioned what you'd said to my wife and she said we could go together, but we have kids and no-one to look after them, the next thing I know it I'm using them as wieghts with delighted kids queuing to have a go

Oh weight wise it is - the 24-70 is 950g, the 50-500 is 1970g, so a little more.

Well, if you love the lens you shouldn't sell it.

I know, but if I won't use it...

The options I would be looking at so far are the 70-300L or perhaps the 300IS or maybe the 400L again - with primes though I'd end up carrying the 24-105 around too, but no doubt there are other little gems out there.

What kind of camera strap do you use when lugging that lens around? Have you tried a blackrapids shoulder harness/strap (RS4 I think) or something similar? I use one with my 70-200 II and it works well. Takes a lot off your neck.

Yep, I've the blackrapid and its a lot better than without, but thinking on it the pain tends to be at the end of the day and at one side, I think its because I'm being pulled down at just the one side.

Its a sad day but I've put it up for sale on another forum, but not at a giveaway price (I think thats me still not wanting to sell despite the fact I may not use it as much)

Now I'm really looking at the 70-300L as its about half the weight and I know from the Sigma 70-200 2.8 (which weights a little more) I know I won't get any pain from that one.

Maverique wrote in post #15642817
Start slow. You won't be doing 100 push-ups on the first day. Build up your upper muscles and you'll have an easier time of it.

John_N wrote in post #15642824
haha, you would have just loved that scene - I popped through to the front room and mentioned what you'd said to my wife and she said we could go together, but we have kids and no-one to look after them, the next thing I know it I'm using them as wieghts with delighted kids queuing to have a go

John,
Maverique suggested doing push-ups to build some upper body strength. That doesn't require going anywhere - folks do push-ups at home, right on their floor, or porch, or drievway - or, wherever! No need to go anywhere, no need to get a baby-sitter. Just 2-3 minutes, two or three times a day, right at home. Ain't that easy?!

lol, good point

What about a monopod.
It really helps when im tired.

I remember a few years ago I started doing that and my arms were like "nothing". In three weeks I was doing 100 a day, and then I managed to increase that to 125, then I managed to do more in each go. Your body adapts, you just need discipline to do it. And your arms will hurt like hell the first few times and never again after that. Fair warning.

i'd grab a monopod....this way you could always set it down when not in use...and it won't be putting any stress on you...

but i can't imagine having that lens around your neck...i just use a handstrap for my 150-500OS