Sigma 50-500mm f4-6.3 EX APO RF HSM

Anyone have experience with this lens? It's main use
for me would be aviation photography.

Samples appreciated..

I love it.

I use it with the 10D and am very pleased with the results. I am not a professional,. but I don't like junk either.

Its flexibility is amazing and the images are very good. Some complain that it is heavy,. but compared to a 500mm prime it is very lite.

You can shoot handheld at 500mm if you have enough light, but obviously it really requires a tripod or monopod (I use the latter 90% of the time) A monopod also makes it easier to carry long distances.

I truly believe that this is one of the very best "deals" available on any lens,. certainly the best deal you can find on a lens of this focal length.

If you are looking at this lens another lens that you should consider is the Canon 100-400 ISl.

It is not as "long" in telephoto,. and it costs a bit more,. but the IS is a big bonus, and the Canon will give better results with a 1.4 extender,.. thus giving you a very usable 560mm (and autofocus if you do the tape trick)

'I actually think I may have a good deal in the works on a 500mm prime (crossing fingers)

assumin that deal goes through,.. having given it a lot of thought,. I suspect I will still keep the 50-500mm do to its portability and flexibility as opposed to the prime.

Check the Bird photos in my gallery. A good deal of them were with the 50-500mm.

>>If you are looking at this lens another lens that you should consider is the Canon 100-400 ISl.

It is true the Sigma is more affordable. Thats why i got it. It can be had for half the pirice of the going rate asked for the Canon,.. but as far as Canon lenses go,. the 100-400 IS is very reasonably priced. Especially given the inclusion of the IS system.

I have not yet tried it though,.. it would need to be a whole lot better than the 50-500mm for me to trade up,.. but there are mony on this forum that would insist it is well worth the extra cash.

I Have this lens and it is the only Sigma to date that is worth a darn. I really love the lens and it is sharp and a great value and l like the wide range of use from 50mm to 500 mm. Now lets hope it lasts longer then the other sigma’s I have owned most have not made it past 2 years with lots of use the all have broken and needed to be fixed. Most of my lenses are canon and one Tokina and this Sigma. I have never had one of my canon lenses fail on me yet for what it is worth. Best of luck you will like the lens.

I think the 70-200mm f/2.8 is DAMN fine too IMHO

I hear great things about the newer 120-300 f/2.8 as well. It seems to me the difference in Sigma was the creation of the whole EX Series which are all relatively new and the HSM motor. I understand that the EX telephoto Primes are VERY respectable and are an outstanding bargain at 1/3 or even 1/4 the cost of the Canon and Nikon equivelents.

Funny you should ask this question - I have my 50-500mm packed ready to go to the Royal International Air Tattoo (Fairford, UK) tommorrow.

To be honest, I bought the lens about 2 months ago, and this is it's first major outing, other than a few field trips to get myself used to the lens.

First impressions are:
- It can produce nice sharp pictures
- It focuses quite quickly
- It's damn heavy!

I didn't expect a handheld shot at 500mm to work the other day though - and it did - glad I didn't have to hold it for more than 30 seconds though!

If I actually manage to take any decent pictures (!) I'll post them up for you to see ...