I predict that a 500 f/5.6 or 600 f/5.6 will come out in next few years

Not to mention that 'the other brand' has a reach of 500mm on lower cost zoom - http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …kor_200_500mm_f​_5_6e.html
and Tamron of course has an offering out to 600 on a slower, but low cost zoom - http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&InitialSearch=​yes&sts=pi as well as Sigma: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_600mm_f_5_6_3_​dg_os.html

I actually asked this question - whats stopping Sigma from producing a prime Art or Sport 500mm f5.6 that matches the Art series quality? Afterall, if they have the capability to produce a zoom of reasonably good quality, a step forward to create a 500mm f5.6 (or even 600mm f5.6) with image stabilisation will fill a gap for sport and wildlife shooters.

Canonised wrote in post #18072071
I actually asked this question - whats stopping Sigma from producing a prime Art or Sport 500mm f5.6 that matches the Art series quality? Afterall, if they have the capability to produce a zoom of reasonably good quality, a step forward to create a 500mm f5.6 (or even 600mm f5.6) with image stabilisation will fill a gap for sport and wildlife shooters.

What price could they make it without cutting into their 150-600 sport sales...if it's slightly more than how many people are going to buy to give up the zoom for 1/3 of a stop gain?

There's room now for the Contemporary and Sport versions of the 150-600 so there could well be room for a 500/5.6, particularly if it offered the sort of IQ their recent shorter primes have. While good at 600, both of the 150-600's are not at their best out there. A very good quality 500mm or 600mm prime at f/5.6 would fill a good gap between the 150-600 Sport and the really expensive super teles.

If they want to they will. To me it seems they don't want to compete out in the expensive supertele market anymore. (though they can still lay claim to the ultimate 500mm lens)

smythie wrote in post #18072123
There's room now for the Contemporary and Sport versions of the 150-600 so there could well be room for a 500/5.6, particularly if it offered the sort of IQ their recent shorter primes have. While good at 600, both of the 150-600's are not at their best out there. A very good quality 500mm or 600mm prime at f/5.6 would fill a good gap between the 150-600 Sport and the really expensive super teles.

If they want to they will. To me it seems they don't want to compete out in the expensive supertele market anymore. (though they can still lay claim to the ultimate 500mm lens)

Is the ultimate the 200-500 f2.8? I thought when they came out with the global vision that they had listed either a 300 or 500 prime that had all the rumors people jumping on it...guess it got held up somewhere

yeah, I was referring to the completely impractical 200-500/2.8

They've so far produced three long lenses in the GV line, the 120-300 S which was not much more than a rehash of the OS lens and the 150-600 siblings. The rest of their GV line has been in the wide to short telephoto region with some interesting innovations. I am ever hopeful though that they'll bring something to the super telephoto market place that might serve as competitors to the Canon and Nikon options

They've GOT to put IS/OS in the 300-800mm!!! (and there 300mm, 500mm, and 800mm primes, but the unique 300-800mm takes precedent)

absolutely

.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18072708
They've GOT to put IS/OS in the 300-800mm!!! (and there 300mm, 500mm, and 800mm primes, but the unique 300-800mm takes precedent)

You are so very right about this!


I love my 300-800 because of the ability to compose images as I want . . . . BUT, the lack of IS pretty much makes the lens very 1 dimensional as far as shooting situations are concerned.

I can only use the 300-800mm in situations where I have a fair amount of light to work with, because any lower than about 1/100th or 1/150th of a second is almost impossible to get tack sharp at 800mm without IS . . . . even when mounted on a very solid tripod with a Wimberley head, with the tripod legs spread out wide and only 2 feet off the ground. This means that all of the situations in which I like to shoot 600mm or 800mm at 1/25th of a second or 1/30th of a second are completely useless with this lens. That means A LOT of completely missed opportunities just because it doesn't have IS (or OS, as Sigma calls it).

.

You'll all be keen on this then, lol.
http://www.canonrumors​.com …non-ef-40-800mm-f4-5-5-6/

crofter wrote in post #18073485
You'll all be keen on this then, lol.
http://www.canonrumors​.com …non-ef-40-800mm-f4-5-5-6/

That kind of zoom range is not uncommon in news video, etc.
I can't imagine it on a DSLR.

buddy4344 wrote in post #18001425
First and foremost, Canon needs to retain Canon customers. Secondly, they need them to move up market. As I noted, they are losing some folks due to the need for lighter weight glass, but still getting reach.

Regarding the nit-picky, image quality folks. I think the f/4 lens and f/2.8 lens families will always have a preferred bokeh and almost 3D feel vs. a f/5.6 lens.

There is something to be said for this. The compression is simply NOT matched by the zooms or slower lenses. Not giving up a 500/4 or 400/2.8 simply because something is lighter and 'as sharp'. The images simply do not pop the same.


I am surprised since Nikon did a 200-500 that Canon doesn't have a competitor. A lot of motorsports guys are starting to use it and leave the long glass at home except for night racing.

So it seems Sigma has decided to produce a 500mm f4 SPORT at US$6000 list price. They already have the 500mm f4.5 so this announcement came as a surprise but if Sigma produces this new lens in the same quality and standard as its Sport/Art lines, I am certain that the quality will be wonderful. The equivalent Canon 500mm f4 IS L is retailing at US$9800. So there is serious money to be saved for wildlife and birders.

The existing SIGMA f/4.5 is a many years old design. Like 2003ish for the EX version we still see for sale. (There was an earlier version labeled only "APO" pre EX, pre HSM focus motor, but similar optic design that dates back to mid 90's.)

Glad to see SIGMA finally starting coming out with updated versions of there super telephotos with OS. It's a different class from what we have been discussing here. The SIGMONSTER (300-800mm) with OS would be breathe new life into that design!

I would love a theoretical weight/size comparison between a 600mm f/5.6 vs. the 600mm DO f/4.

http://www.canonrumors​.com …-arrive-in-late-2017-cr2/

I'm thinking the 600 DO could be too wide to fit into my Gura Gear bag but I'd still like to try. Length and weight should be reasonable compared to the 'too big to fly with' existing 600 f/4.

I suspect this will be another lens in the $9000 and up range. Meanwhile, Sigma is getting closer to the right price point with this $6,000 500 f/4.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …14882%2C&is=REG​&A=details